By Michael Yanko
Rock Legends Photographers
Having been a live performance photographer for the reason that 70s and capturing 1000’s of live shows, tons of of festivals, and 9 music cruises, Pink Rocks has been on my bucket checklist for a few years. Once I bought an e-mail from Gov’t Mule stating that they have been taking part in there, it piqued my curiosity. Once I discovered that Jason Bonham was opening and that Joe Bonamassa was taking part in the night time earlier than, I spotted it was time to make a visit to Colorado and cross this one off my checklist!
It takes two 18-wheelers to carry Joe Bonamassa’s gear to a venue close to you!
I’ve seen Joe Bonamassa carry out a number of occasions, however seeing and listening to him at Pink Rocks was an expertise by no means to be forgotten. It rained nearly your entire present, however the sold-out crowd got here ready with raincoats and ponchos. Photographing was troublesome within the rain, however I did handle to get a couple of good pictures!
The rising anticipation for the beginning of the present was climaxed with Tom Petty’s “The Ready,” adopted by the band’s entrance to thunderous applause!
Opening the present with “Evil Mama,” the band adopted up with songs from Bonamassa’s big catalogue of albums together with: “Mud Bowl,” “Love Ain’t a Love Track,” “Self-Inflicted Wounds,” “I Need to Shout About it” from the forthcoming album, and “Final Matador of Bayonne.”
To the delight of the group the following tune featured particular visitor Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band) who was scheduled the following night time. Bonamassa launched him by saying “Some individuals in the present day requested me, ‘you going tomorrow, is he coming right here?’ I stated ‘nicely I can’t make it tomorrow however I’m positive it’s gonna be f-cking improbable.’ My buddy Jason Bonham is right here tonight. I don’t give this man sufficient credit score as a result of over the course of the primary hour of this present he’s in all probability written down 20 issues that I’ve f-cking stolen from him on the guitar, together with this model of this tune by Albert King referred to as ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s House’ and we’re gonna carry out Warren Haynes proper now to play it.” The guitar duo jam throughout this tune was astonishing!
Bonamassa channeled his interior Buddy Man a number of occasions all through the night time, dropping “F” bombs at random. Following the tune with Haynes, Bonamassa launched his band consisting of: Josh Smith (guitar), Calvin Turner (bass, changing the late Michael Rhodes), Lemar Carter (drums), Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer Reese Wynans (keys), and Dannielle DeAndrea and Jade MacRae (backing vocals).
After introductions the efficiency continued with “Curtain Name,” adopted by a inventive cowl of Barbra Streisand’s “Prisoner” (Love Theme from Eyes of Laura Mars). Subsequent up was “The Coronary heart That By no means Waits.” Following a tremendous blues solo, Bonamassa supplied up a touch of “Trigger We’ve Ended as Lovers,” giving a quick salute to the late nice Jeff Beck! After delighting the sold-out crowd with that tidbit, the band adopted up with “Lonely Boy,” adopted by ZZ Prime’s “Simply Received Paid,” which morphed into Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” earlier than morphing again into “Simply Received Paid.” The set ended with a five-minute drum solo after which the band cleared the stage. The group was loud and hungry for extra. The band returned for the the anticipated encore, “Mountain Time.” Bonamassa advised the group that somebody posted on Twitter, “Man, I actually hope you play ‘Mountain Time’ on the mountain!” He shared that he didn’t plan it, however that it simply makes f-cking sense. It was an amazing ending to a memorable efficiency!
Joe Bonamassa is likely one of the biggest residing guitar gamers and his performances are at all times extraordinary. Whether or not you’re a blues fan, rock fan, or each, make sure you put Bonamassa in your should see live performance checklist!
For extra photographs from this present https://www.abetterdj.web/ROCK-LEGENDS-PHOTOGRAPHERS-CONCERT-PHOTOS/BLUES-CONCERT-PHOTOS-1/JOE-BONAMASSA-Pink-Rocks-8-6-23/
