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Founded in 2011, KQ's Rock Stock features Styx, Cheap Trick, Badfinger, Lamont Cranston, and our Battle of the Bands winner, Troy Castellano.
Rock Stock at the Midway Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday, May 29, 2011.
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Sunday was the local classic rock stations KQRS' Rock Stock. Lineup was the typical lineup for an event like this, local band who won a battle of the bands (Troy Castellano), a local band who had been around since the late 70's (Lamont Cranston), Badfinger, Cheap Trick and Styx. Turnout was OK at best. Their sister station, 93X, had 7,000 the day before for metal bands and at best KQRS got 3,000.
Now for me power pop is the music I have lived since I was early teens. "No Matter What" by Badfinger was one of two 45's that were my first record purchases. Needless to say, I have been a fan of the band since then. For those who don't know them, or their sorry story, it's worth looking up. Signed to the Beatles label Apple, they had several hits, got screwed by their manager, lead songwriter commits suicide, they breakup, regroup in various incarnations, another member commits suicide, etc...
Joey Molland, guitar player and songwriter, happened to marry a girl from a Minneapolis suburb in the 70's and lives here today. His latest incarnation of the band played a 45 min set. Played the hits, "No Matter What", "Baby Blue", "Day After Day" and "Come And Get It". He likes to share the spotlight with the guys in the band letting several sing lead and he seemed to be having a good time. He has an infectious smile and is a really good guitar player. In their heyday, they were as good as any pop band. Today, they really amount to a cover band with one original, but the songs carry the day. Check out the LPs or CDs of Straight Up or No Dice, for a sense of how good these guys were.
Cheap Trick was next and they played a 90 min set. These guys are amazing. They have their set down, cranking out one song after the other. Yes, they play stuff from Cheap Trick at Budokan as you would expect; how could you not want to yell, "I want you to want me...". Very tight band and they sounded great.
Highlight for me was a cover of "Magical Mystery Tour" with Joey Molland trying to keep up with the chord changes. Rick Nielsen, the guitar player, must of had 15-20 different guitars with him, and he is still jumping around, flying leg kicks, like he is in his 30's. He also had a great line about anybody wanting to see a naked 62 year old guy; he is smart enough to answer his own question and say you don't. Also, Robin Zander sounds great. Most guys his age start to lose their voice, or have to lower their register, but I didn't get that sense from him. Can't wait to see them again next year...
Set list included "Surrender", "California Man", "The Flame", "Auf Wiedersehen", "Dream Police".
Now for me power pop is the music I have lived since I was early teens. "No Matter What" by Badfinger was one of two 45's that were my first record purchases. Needless to say, I have been a fan of the band since then. For those who don't know them, or their sorry story, it's worth looking up. Signed to the Beatles label Apple, they had several hits, got screwed by their manager, lead songwriter commits suicide, they breakup, regroup in various incarnations, another member commits suicide, etc...
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JOEY MOLLAND of BADFINGER |
Cheap Trick was next and they played a 90 min set. These guys are amazing. They have their set down, cranking out one song after the other. Yes, they play stuff from Cheap Trick at Budokan as you would expect; how could you not want to yell, "I want you to want me...". Very tight band and they sounded great.
Highlight for me was a cover of "Magical Mystery Tour" with Joey Molland trying to keep up with the chord changes. Rick Nielsen, the guitar player, must of had 15-20 different guitars with him, and he is still jumping around, flying leg kicks, like he is in his 30's. He also had a great line about anybody wanting to see a naked 62 year old guy; he is smart enough to answer his own question and say you don't. Also, Robin Zander sounds great. Most guys his age start to lose their voice, or have to lower their register, but I didn't get that sense from him. Can't wait to see them again next year...
Set list included "Surrender", "California Man", "The Flame", "Auf Wiedersehen", "Dream Police".
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CHEAP TRICK |
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