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Live Review: Billy Idol gives Seattle more…more…more (Photos)

By on October 28, 2012

Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo – 10/26/12 (All Photos by Mocha Charlie)

Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo on 10/26/12

Billy Idol’s musical career spans over three decades. He has stared into the dark abyss, battling drugs and alcohol and a crippling motorcycle accident, which required multiple surgeries before he could perform without the aid of a cane. Billy Idol surely does not need the cane anymore. He is a rock n’ roll survivor. Idol, with his tight band in tow, stepped into the sold-out Showbox Sodo and reminded fans why he is one of the coolest cats to prowl a stage.

On with the show…

Idol’s set started at approximately 10:00pm rock n’ roll time. The 80’s hit-maker was decked out in his trademark leather jacket and studs, spiked mane, and armed with his patented fist-pumps and the ever-present sneer that his fans expect and adore.

Idol and company  kicked off the night with a couple of Generation X songs, Ready Steady Go and Dancin’ with Myself. The rock veteran worked the stage and audience with zen-like precision and swagger. This is a performer who clearly knows who he is and what the audience wanted, and he delivered – hit after hit from his extensive catalogue.

The show was a trip through a musical timeline of Idol’s 80’s greatest hits package. He and the boys busted out classics such as Flesh for Fantasy, Eyes Without a Face and his own version of The Door’s LA Woman. Idol also threw in a healthy sample Generation X numbers. Along with previously mentioned songs, he performed King Rocker and Running with the Boss Sound.

Solid musicianship…

Idol has always surrounded himself with a solid corps of musicians, but the one constant throughout the many incarnations of Idol’s backing bands has been long-time collaborator and wingman, Steve Stevens. Throughout the years, what Idol has provided fans in terms of charisma, charm, and attitude, Stevens has given the same, as well as solid virtuosity, lending credibility to the music. Steven’s mid-set acoustic guitar solo, which included some exquisite Spanish classical guitar styling, was simply stunning. Stevens is the epitome of  a guitar slinging rockstar, but first and foremost, he is a world-class musician.

With a Rebel Yell…Happy Birthday dear Michael…

Idol saved some his most popular numbers for the tail end of the performance, concluding the set with the rousing rock gem, Rebel Yell. The song was dedicated to super-fan, Michael Henrichsen, whose band, Nite Wave opened for Idol and was responsible for helping make the special “birthday show” happen. (see photos at beginning of slideshow below)

The Seattle concert, which was not part of a U.S. leg of a tour, came about due to the efforts of Henrichsen and army of others. Henrichsen spent two years working on getting Idol to play his 26th birthday. The 80’s rock icon eventually acquiesced and threw quite a party for the Bothell, Washington resident. (Stevens played a snippet of Happy Birthday during his middle of the set solo.) In addition, Idol and his band wished Henrichsen happy birthday at that point in the show.

The  campaign involved four “Billy Idol Aid” charity concerts that raised $13,000 for the Northwest Harvest food bank and the American Red Cross. Playing the party gave fans the opportunity to see another side of Idol, as well as revel in some good will. Needless to say, the dedication and evening as whole left Henrichsen speechless.

After Rebel Yell, Idol and his crew took a bow, exited the stage, and then came back on a few minutes later  to perform the MTV video staple, White Wedding, and a brilliant big-beat arrangement of the Tommy James and the Shondells hit Mony Mony – ending the turbo charged show on a very high note.

Not in The City…

The only minor complaint about the show is that Idol did not perform one of his first hits to crack the U.S. charts, Hot in The City (a personal favorite of mine.) In all fairness, there may be a reasonable explanation for the omission. Hot in The City is pretty much keyboard-driven, and Idol chose perform the show sans keyboards, favoring the two-guitar attack of Stevens and Billy Morrison. There appeared to be some triggered, sampled keyboard parts on certain numbers.

Closing thoughts…

At 57, Idol looked healthy, fit, and was in fine voice throughout his 17 song set. He can belt with the best of them, but what is sometimes overlooked is the singer’s ability to croon as smooth as silk. 57 year old rock-stars are not supposed to perform with such vigor, but we’re talking about Billy Effin Idol here. He took of his shirt later in the set, revealing his finely chiseled physique and taking the crowd into the palm of his hand without embarrassment. Quite the contrary – Idol reminded fans how vital he still is. He showed a younger generation of fans how it’s done by putting on a clinic for would be rock-stars, for a worthy cause. (See photo sideshow below)

Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Michael Henrichsen @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12))
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12))
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12))
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12))
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Billy Idol @ Showbox Sodo (10/26/12)
Overlays

Setlist

  • Ready Steady Go (Generation X)
  • Dancing with Myself (Generation X)
  • Shadows
  • Flesh for Fantasy
  • Too Far to Fall
  • Sweet Sixteen
  • Eyes Without a Face
  • Kings and Queens of the Underground
  • Heaven’s Inside
  • L.A. Woman (The Doors)
  • Guitar Solo (by Steve Stevens)
  • Love Like Fire
  • King Rocker (Generation X)
  • Running with the Boss Sound (Generation X)
  • Rebel Yell

Encore:

  • White Wedding
  • Mony Mony (Tommy James & The Shondells)

More SMI Live Reviews Here

Not only is he a multi-media journalist, he is also an accomplished musician. He is the founder of SMI and drives the creative look, feel and branding for the publication. His years of writing, arranging, and performing live music in a variety of genres inform his ability to communicate the message and the mechanics of music. Roth’s work on SMI reflects his philosophy that music is the universal language, and builds community. He believes it has the power to unite people of every race, religion, gender, and persuasion.
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