Posted by The worst thing about the 80’s, in my opinion, was the music! I was not a fan of all the Euro-pop trash, as I so humbly call it! But on the other side of the coin, the BEST thing about the 80’s was also the music! That’s when I picked up the guitar and tried to, not only emulate my guitar heroes like Ace Frehley or Jimmy Page, but I got into what was called Neo-Classical and Techical music i.e. Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani. I was also a fan of the Hair Band movement. Great White, Bon Jovi(dare I say), Krokus, Scorpions and of course, Cinderella!
This past Tuesday(6.27.23), The Patchogue Theatre for the performing arts hosted Tom Keifer, Winger and John Corabi, does that name sound familiar? Corabi, or “Crabby” as his friends so affectionately call him is more famously known for replacing Vince Neil after the Dr. Feelgood CD. But unfortunately, I was all “Crue’d” out by then and didnt get familiar with Crabby’s contribution, at first. I will say this now, though, he is the best thing that ever happened to Crue and their, self-titled “Motley Crue” is their best album, which includes the song Hooligan’s Holiday.
After warming up the still roaming-in crowd, Winger hit the stage at full force and was giving me the impression that this crowd was here for them. It was hit after hit from their 80’s hit-list peppered with a few highlights from their recent release “7”. It was a treat to see Reb Beach back in action along with Howie Simon on guitar, filling in for John Roth and Paul Taylor on additional guitar and keys. Drumming legend, from the Dixie Dregs, Rod Morgenstein sat behind the kit.
I was forewarned by the security guard that I should be aware that he had been given a head’s up that the crowd might rush the stage! Luckily, my fellow Long Islanders are huge music fans, but we’re civilized; I didnt get crushed by the frenzied fans when Keifer hit the stage!
I may have previously thought that the crowd had been there for Winger, but I was quickly proven wrong! Keifer commanded his stage serrading the crowd with such classics as “Heartbreak Station”, “Coming Home”, “Nobody’s Fool” and wrapping up a stellar performance with “Gypsy Road”.
Keifer, Winger and Corabi are all classic 80’s and early 90’s heavy hitting hard rock hair bands and it was refreshing to be taken back to a time when music was still great and real!!
Check out a few highlights from all of their performances at Patchogue Theatre for the performing arts.
Keifer Set List
Life Was Here
Hot & Bothered
Heartbreak Station
The Death of Me
Bad Seamstress Blues
Coming Home
Nobody’s Fool
Solid Ground
Night Songs
Somebody Save Me
The Last Mile
Shake Me
Shelter Me
ENCORE
Don’t Know What You Got (Til Its Gone)
With A Little Help From My Friends
Gypsy Road
Long Island Sounds 