Chickenfoot live at The Fillmore Theatre, Detroit - May 14th, 2012
By Guest Reviewer - Pete Salvato
Chickenfoot is a band formed by some legendary players for sure and you’d think from who they are and what each of them has achieved, they would be massive, but here’s the thing … I think we all expected something different from what we got, only I don’t think any of us really knew what we wanted from these guys?
Perhaps with Joe Satriani’s involvement added to half of a Van Halen line up, the anticipation was of a faster Van Halen sound?
Maybe with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, people thought the first album would be a funkier Van Halen?
Me personally, I’ve been a fan of Van Halen for years, having first seen the band live in 1981 on the ‘Women And Children First’ tour, at London’s now long gone Rainbow Theatre, but I also liked both the Dave (Lee Roth) and Sammy (Hagar) fronted line ups and have seen then since a few times too.
I have also been a fan of Sammy Hagar's solo material for years too, but for whatever reason, I never really got into the 'Chili Pepper's' band, but I do recognise the talents of Chad Smith, who has for the time being anyway, been replaced by Kenny Arnoff (Bob Seger, Elton John, Berlinda Carlisle, Cinderella, Stryper), who's certainly no slouch and has play live and done session work with so many acts.
Anyway, so that's a bunch of info on the background of Chickenfoot ... So I was fortunate that a good friend of ours and sometime vocalist, DJ, etc ..., Pete Salvato offered to review the show for us, when 'The 'foot' recently played Detroit. Over to you Pete!
Chickenfoot, came out to the Fillmore formerly the State Theater on May 14th, 2012.
The show was in an intimate setting and a sellout crowd. They opened up with 'Lighten Up' from their second CD 'Chickenfoot III.'
Just like when I saw their so called archrivals Van Halen, the crowd here erupted! They wanted Chickenfoot and throughout the whole evening, they were on their feet.
The tour is called the 'Different Devil Tour' which I was a bit surprised by, for the name of the tour since Different Devil is the second single release following 'Big Foot.'
What I enjoyed as a rock fan is the jams that were in the middle and the end of the songs. The band was spontaneous more so based on Sammy (Hagar) mentioning before the song, 'The Future's in the Past,' he said, "This song is based on the full circle of coming back to the real reason we are up here on this stage. Just to play music and have fun."
Bottom line is they are just simply having fun playing music.
They did all Chickenfoot songs with the exception of a tribute to Ronnie Montrose with 'Rock Candy,' and closed the show with the Hendrix classic, 'Foxy Lady.' The band itself, Sammy Hagar sounded vintage Sammy. His voice sounds like his days in Montrose and Van Halen.
Joe Satriani, "Smoke" as Sammy calls him based on his guitar playing "Smokin Joe". Smokin Joe was the nickname of boxer Joe Fraser who was Mohammad Ali's arch rival, was playing incredibly as he always does. 'He' being considered best guitar player on the planet ...!
Michael Anthony and his great bass playing along with classic backing vocals. Kenny Arnoff who is in place of Chad Smith - Chad is currently commited to touring with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - flexed his muscles along with his drumming complimented the rest of his bandmates.
Overall this show was entertaining and exciting, the band's music flowed together with the crowd.
A great exchange!
One thing I would like to add, I have been to see both current line ups of Van Halen and Chickenfoot, they were great and fun shows to watch. The rivalry of which band is better is hogwash. Both are great records, both are great shows. However, it seems only natural that a rivalry is there between Sammy and Dave. Between Joe and Eddie (Van Halen). I'd love it to see these two bands tour together, however, Joe has a solo career, Sammy has the Wabos, and Kenny Arnoff is John Mellencamp's drummer, so I don't see that happening.
However you look at it, it was a great night!
However you look at it, it was a great night!
Chickenfoot Setlist included:
Lighten Up, Alright, Sexy Little Thing, Big Foot, My Kinda Girl, Different Devil, Soap On A Rope, Something Gone Wrong, Last Temptation, Turning Left, Future's In The Past, Down The Drain, Oh Yeah, Rock Candy (Montrose), Foxy Lady (Jimi Hendrix)
My thanks to my good friend Pete Salvato for his helping hand at keeping the 'Chambers of Rock' site alive!
Keep on rockin'folks!
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