Comments on: In Defense of the Tribute Band

By: sprunt

sprunt — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:06:41 +0000

@Matt By your logic, Menudo has been a cover band since the early ’80′s!

By: Ron from MI

Ron from MI — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:28:37 +0000

I think people, no matter who they are, like the good old stuff than the current stuff that’s out there now.

Tribute bands, though not original and no matter what the genre, have the soul the soul and talent compared to most of today’s music that’s heard in the Top 40. Orchestras that play classical music and swinging big band tunes may not be original, but they carry on the spirit too

I feel we as a society should patronize the damn good than the heavily marketed.

The heart and soul of music , not the money, should take precedence, in my humble opinion….

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:39:00 +0000

Rex, if you haven’t seen Steel Panther yet, you’re doing yourself a big disservice. They will rock your face off.

By: keith

keith — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:59:47 +0000

i think i heard somewhere that Gene “i’m going to trademark the dollar bill symbol so i can be rich” Simmons wants to eventually franchise Kiss, so that he could get royalties from all over the globe as other people play his music.

and yes, he actually wants to trademark the dollar bill symbol. i guess the Kiss coffin isn’t selling too well these days.

By: Team Valtrex

Team Valtrex — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:18:37 +0000

I’ll probably be listening to a CD of these guys next year when the real AXL asks me if I want fries with that.

By: wrxrob

wrxrob — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:54:13 +0000

Thanks Rex, for capturing what appeared to be an incredible show. I agree that in many cases, cover bands are more fun than the original bands that contain just one remaining member.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:59:48 +0000

I was only a few feet from you and the stroke of midnight, Rex (I only know because I spotted myself in your video of the crowd at countdown). As much as I enjoyed the GNR band, the one at the stage by Mermaids doing INXS completely blew me away. I was glad that I got a good portion of it on video, however hampered by my shaky alcohol-infuenced hand. It was your write-up of last year’s Fremont NY Eve that prompted me to arrange the trip for this year. Thank you for your helpful information.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:26 +0000

I live in Las Vegas, where bands of my youth come through town on world tours! The interesting thing about most of them, is they are playing arenas with maybe ONE original member, NOT the singer!
Doesn’t that constitute a Tribute Band? Bands like “the real” Journey, Foreigner, CCR, The Doors..and SO many others, basically, have become Tribute Bands themselves! Don’t even get me started with all the Temptations and Four Tops shows!

They are using impersonator singers…and the amazing thing is,… nobody cares!
That’s a very interesting social study! They don’t care because the experience is a lot richer, when what they are seeing and hearing, actually pulls them back in time! It’s a celebration of the music, as well as celebrating our youth. Going to see the big old guy that has lost his voice is not the way we want to see these bands of our youth.
That’s just heartbreaking! LOL..
Fantasy is great entertainment!!

I think these may be some of the reason for high end Tributes Playing some of the most beautiful theatres and performing arts centers, all over the world. Talent comes in many forms~

All the best!

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:54:34 +0000

if you ever get the chance to see 2U (the U2 cover band, in case no one could figure that out), do so – they put on an awesome show. Since they are able to hire someone a lot younger than Bono, they end up playing songs that Bono can’t sing anymore because his voice can’t hit the high notes like he used to. Joe Cumia, who plays the Edge, is an amazing guitarist as well.

I never liked Lynyrd Skynyrd until i saw a cover band of them play their songs. I was sick and tired of the only 2 songs that radio played – Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama – so it was nice to get an appreciation of their other songs. Also, watching 3 guitarists do an extended jam on freebird for the last 10 minutes of the song made me appreciate the music even more.

By: philipj

philipj — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:22:22 +0000

Wow, I’m not the only that enjoys remembering. The waves of “yes I remember” get mixed with good drink, and feeling’s of ‘I remem ber dancing with _______________, and she was wearing a front button dress, and we……and she felt so good”. And for just maybe a few minutes, or longer you are still back there remembering her, and the feeling. Yep, it’s good.

I had a friend who was a lead singer doing well all over Michigan, mostly singing other people’s songs. He sure made a lot of people feel good about them selves every friday or saturday night. And it felt good.
Eventually he took up with a woman diamond buyer from Arizona, and lives the good life.