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 Hard
Rock Cafe Grand Opening w/ Velvet Revolver!
Check out Photos from this event.
After years of witnessing on TV great concerts at various Hard Rock Cafe locations
across America, blessed with a theater/concert stage, it was time for the greatest
city in the world to have it owns Midtown venue where grand music manifesto’s
could take place. In addition to the BB King Blues Club, bands can look forward
to playing a new limelight venue located on the “Crossroads’ of the World”.
Formerly on 57th street for 22 years, the new location in the old yet historic
Paramount Theater is a true showcase of rock history of an unmatched collection
of Jimmy Hendrix, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna relics.
After it’s “Grand Guitar Smash” which took place at the official opening featuring
the destruction of 100 Gibson Guitars, hosted by Steve van Zandt and Brian Wilson,
on August 12th, it was time for a grand opening party on Saturday September
11th, featuring America’s new super group
Velvet Revolver
featuring former Guns & Roses members Slash, Duff Mckagen, Matt Sorum and Scott
Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.
If someone knows how to throw a party, leave it to the Hard Rock Cafe. Witnessed
by thousands, standing behind the barricaded fences in unseasonably hot balmy
weather, ushered by New York’s finest, an endless parade of celebrities walked
the Red Carpet under bright camera and TV lights while cheered on by adoring
fans. The official dedication of the Cafe was placed in the hands of no one
less than Reverend Run from the legendary hip-hop group Run DMC and loud cheers
erupted when the huge guitar was lit over Broadway. In addition the night’s
line-up of stars included Steve Van Zandt (Sopranos/Springsteen), Ace Frehley
(Kiss), DJ Mark Ronson, Paul Gibson, The New York Mets led by Mike Piazza, Elvis
Costello, Janet Dickinson (America’s Top Model Show), Constantine Maroulis (American
Idol) and the entire Fox News 5 anchor cast including the ever wacky news reporter
Penny. The star of the red carpet was definitely Ace Frehley who from the moment
leaving his limo with a hot young blond on his arm, could hardly walk from allegedly
too much alcohol (as Gene Simmons would say” Some people never change!”).
Those hundreds of lucky contest winners, flown in from around the world and
the usual media, invited to the Grand Opening, were generously rewarded by the Hard Rock Cafe with
extravagant food buffets, endless drinks, a memorabilia gift bag and a great
concert by Velvet Revolver on the stage of the former Paramount Theater.
At 11 pm the packed theater went dark while Velvet Revolver edged it way on
stage under deafening applause and cheers. Where most former members of “super
groups” fail to revive their careers, Velvet Revolver has all the right ingredients
to sustain a long and healthy livelihood. Great songs, excellent musicians,
charisma and a great stage show are the formula components to make it big. With
two songs featured in Hollywood movies “The Hulk” and “The Italian Job, and
top-selling hit album “Contraband”, including the hit single ”Slither”, no introduction
was needed for this new hot commodity in today’s music line-up. Playing loud,
hard and fierce, guitar players Slash and Dave Kushner ran across the stage,
backed solidly by bass player Duff Mckagen and a replacement drummer for Matt
Sorum who had a hand injury (he joined the band later on stage during a ballad).
In his trademark style, lead singer Scott Weiland paced throughout the stage,
hand on his hips, towering on the monitors like a wild animal seeking its prey
with blood thirsty eyes. In all skin-tight leather trousers, studs and a German
officer’s cap, he made us all realize, he is one of the contemporary few rock
singers pulling off show comparable to rock legends such as Mick Jagger, Steven
Tyler and Robert Plant. A refreshing shift of qualities, badly needed considering
the current legion of faceless rock n’ roll front men standing in a t-shirt
and jeans on stage, without breaking out a sweat. Scott Weiland works hard on
stage, and throughout the night, plush towels were thrown at him to dry his
profuse sweating, common to a serious rock star working the crowd. With Duff
strutting his stuff, bass guitar low on the hips and Slash- cigarette hanging
from his mouth, belting out ferocious yet melodic solo’s, it was a perfect night
of good old fashioned rock n’ roll.
The band played all the goodies from their repertoire, under
bright lights, a huge Vega-like logo, sirens and sound effects, including Slither,
Fall to Pieces, It’s So Easy, I Used To Love Her, Dirty Little Thing, Set Me
Free and the Pink Floyd Cover “Money” from the “Italian Job” movie soundtrack.
In addition, Mr. Brownstone from the Guns and Roses catalog was played during
the encore to the enchantment of the feral crowd.
Velvet Revolver
taught us this evening a simple ABC of how” Rock N Roll is done Right”. Not
many bands out there can match up to the showman ship and heartfelt musicianship
showcased by these seasoned yet far from jaded journeymen. Thank you for showing
us again how it is done. American Idol made us almost forget.
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