Category: The Concert File

My college didn’t do a lot of fancy stuff, nor have a lot of big-named concerts come through, but in the world of way-cool, they did arrange for speed-painter Denny Dent to put on a show.

Denny would paint, speed style, to music that accented the painting he was going to complete. Lots of times he would also start them upside down, then spin them over, and suddenly you would see what he was creating.

Sadly Denny died too soon, at the age of 56, back in 2004. Luckily I was able to see him create some masterpieces!

KMFDM was one of my first introductions to the energy of industrial rock. While the lighting at The Metro in Chicago for this concert was tricky, flipping to black and white helps bring out the energy of the band.

(Image from: KMFDM in concert, May 30, 1995
The Metro, Chicago, Illinois)

When radio dude Jonathan Brandmeier was on the radio in Chicago and did appearances, one of his sidekicks was Piranha Man from Pakistan. On this event he was lucky enough to go surfing!

Years ago at a radio station festival a band called The Bloodhound Gang, and their bassist “Evil” Jared Hasselhoff (real name Jared Hennegan) nearly started a riot with their inviting everyone in the crowd on stage.

It was awesome.

(Image from: Q101 Jamboree 2000, May 20, 2000 – The New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, IL)

Green Day rocks and with good reason, because behind every great band that rocks is a great drummer. Thank you Tré Cool for rocking!

(Image from: Green Day in concert, August 10, 2005
The Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL)

Back in 1998 I was lucky enough to see Tom Jones in a smaller venue, The Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL.

I always enjoyed those shows with the mix of older fans and their youngin’s with them.

John Fogerty is one of those artists who you don’t always remember his songs until the opening rift. Then you sing your ass off. He also rocks in concert.

Image from: July 26, 1996 – The New World Theatre
Tinley Park, IL

Part of the beauty of the rock band Kiss is that they never appear to age. I mean, how could they with the makeup? Take Gene Simmons, still looks the same!

There have certainly been some changes through the years, especially as they appear to be on their last tour, but in terms of rock entertainment, they are right up near the top.

Image from 1996 – The Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois

While I have seen Styx post Dennis DeYoung, I was lucky enough to see the band on their final tour with Dennis out front. While that show didn’t have anything off of “Mr. Roboto” an album I weirdly really like, it was great to see them rockin’ together.

Image from The Grand Illusion tour, June 6, 1997
The Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois

David Bowie once toured with Nine Inch Nails. Yes, it was back in 1995, and I was lucky enough to get clearance.

The bummer part was that Bowie had the flu that night. He had to cut his set short, but damn them man gave it his all while he could.

Never got to to see the man in later years. Still bummed I didn’t get a full show, but completely understand.