Welcome to HOLLYWEIRD

Heard while walking through the capacity crowd gathered at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston June 21 were the most telling words of the evening when one fan said to another, "I needed this." And every once in a while don't we all require a heavy dose of rock and roll? On the first day of summer sun, fun and "nothin' but a good time" where the order of the day providing the promise of an unmatched party atmosphere.

For the past four years Poison has annually delivered on this promise by putting together a package bill of like-minded bands to give the people what they needed. No wonder everyone was so excited.

This year the frivolity was provided by Poison, Cinderella, Winger and Faster Pussycat as only these funlovers know how. Though all proud "hair bands" exemplifying that era's overindulgence, it would be a mistake to judge music by fashion. Too many seem to gauge talent by their eyes when revisiting the 1980's heavy metal scene. There is much more to it than that. All one has to do is open your ears and listen. Or simply take it all in.

Welcome to "Hollyweird." No nostalgia trip was necessary with a new Poison album fresh on the shelves. This was the reunited quartet that attained sales upwards of 20 million albums during their 17-year career.

Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall were their lively selves, wisely utilizing every inch of the multi-tiered stage running across the ramps and simply enjoying life in what has always been the Poison trademark. To add fuel to the combustible equation, the beer was flowing in abundance through the crowd. It didn't hurt matters that, as always on a hot summer night, the girls were dressed to kill.

Poison possessed all the elements necessary to lift the spirits of everyone- namely passion, heart and soul. Nothing fake here. Their music is a soundtrack to life, as we know it. Within the songs there is something for everyone. The good time anthems provided sing-a-longs, the ballads kept the girls happy, and the rock. Oh yeah, the rock. No need to question the power evident there.

Poison puts 200% into every performance and that is what keeps the people coming back for more time after time. Another sold out show in a hotbed Michaels (wearing a champion Red Wings hat as tribute to the "ultimate fans") proudly praised as his favorite tour stop. He could not say enough complimentary things about "Detroit Rock City" and put his money where his mouth was by promising free admission to anyone holding a DTE ticket stub for the Toledo show July 16. That certainly says something about appreciating support.

Michaels went above and beyond to prove himself the consummate frontman. Knowing exactly what to do or say in order to elicit the best crowd response. He never said anything wrong the entire night pumping up the volume continuously. The resulting fever pitch was accentuated by the enthusiastic crowd reaction. Everyone was into the festivities and it was contagious. Michaels moved about stage like he was shot out of a canon, keeping the crowd involvement high by slapping hands along the front row on numerous occasions. He strutted his stuff at every opportunity putting on quite the show.

Traditional opener "Look What The Cat Dragged In" brought the crowd to their feet where they remained for the next 70 minutes as Poison played hit after catchy hit. "Talk Dirty To Me" appeared early on- a change over years past. The set was quite similar to the ones played previously. Though the free spirit themed "Ride The Wind" was inserted by popular demand from an internet fan request poll.

Favorite "Fallen Angel" raised the pavilion roof with the heavy introductory guitar hook leading into the well-choreographed jump in unison from the drum riser the instant the song kicks in by Michaels, DeVille and Dall. Just as seen in the memorable 1988 video.

When the number one ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was aired every light in the house was dimmed while the spotlight illuminated a spinning disco ball overhead to create a chilling effect amid the sea of lighters held aloft. "Something to Believe In" also provided a poignant moment when dedicated to our Armed Forces risking their lives to keep the United States freedom alive overseas.

Dall appeared more than fully recovered from last year's tour-ending accident that required emergency neck vertebrae fusion surgery. Still full of the energy required putting on a Poison show. C.C. was, well C.C., and flexed his vocal chords by singing lead on the newer "Emperor's New Clothes." What would a Heavy Metal show be without a drum solo? Well, not to be left out, Rockett gave a smashing one incorporating sound effects into his pounding.

Just when it appeared the bash was over; the ultimate party anthem made an appearance. As if Poison doesn't have enough upbeat songs in their repertoire, they encored with a cover of "Rock and Roll All Nite" complete with the requisite closing confetti shower raining down from above.

Plenty of rock took place prior to the headliners and Cinderella did their part. Opening with "Somebody Save Me" and closing with a rousing "Shake Me" they provided a non-stop infectious groove. Of course, a few hit power ballads were also thrown in for good measure. These veterans also knew how to do it right.

Cinderella used pyro in abundance to full effect but the key component to their mastery was frontman Tom Keifer's unique voice. His surgically repaired vocal chords appeared no worse for wear and held up quite well.

With no new album to push five of the 12 songs aired were taken from 1986's multi-platinum debut "Night Songs." But the highlight was "Gypsy Road," which had the whole house rocking all the way back to the lawn.

Over time "Don't Know What You've Got (Till it's gone) has proven to be one of the era-defining power ballads. So when Keifer sat at a piano bathed in purple light playing the familiar keys for the encore it was a powerful sight to behold. Another memory to savor this night by. Too bad it had to end.

A weird looking Faster Pussycat opened the event taking the stage dressed identically in black leather Nazi attire. Frontman Tamie Downe even mimicked Marilyn Manson. The ballad "House of Pain" provided the highlight of a slow eight-song set almost devoid of their most well known songs. But soon the sun began to set and Winger upped the pace a drastic notch. Yes, you read that right.

Impressive isn't the word to describe Winger's performance. Absent from the performing stage for nine years the original trio (plus two touring members) pulled out all the stops to prove they are a quality rock band. Often mistakenly ridiculed and unjustifiably maligned as poster boys for all that is bad about "Hair Metal" they set out to convince the naysayers wrong about this genre. Their music did the talking and with it set the record straight.

Kip Winger was celebrating his 41st birthday and he strode about sporting the familiar headpiece microphone he made famous when Britney was but a Mousekateer. The crowd heated up as the reunited band played almost their entire greatest hits album released last year. Soon Winger would "Tell ya; about this lady" who, of course, could only be "Madelaine." It was MTV heaven. Guitarist Reb Beach (back after his stint rockin' with Dokken) played the melodic brand of metal that made the female hearts swoon. "Headed For A Heartbreak" made an appearance and then "Seventeen" blared out of the speakers at top volume. Winger came to rock and rock they most certainly did.

They were not alone with Cinderella and Poison soon following suit not wanting to disappoint.

At the conclusion of the evening Poison promised a return in 2003. It would be wise to start planning your future summer fun now as these guys have proven time and time again they don't make promises they can't keep.

There are few guarantees in life. But if looking for a good time, Poison is the perfect hosts.