By: Robert Cavuoto
Steve Stevens and Billy Idol rock!
On the second leg of Billy Idol’s North American Tour for his latest CD release – Kings & Queens of the Underground, Billy and his band blazed into Morristown New Jersey, on Friday 6/5 giving a passionate performance dripping with sweaty sexual energy.
Fans came out to hear the ultimate punk frontman take them on a journey down memory lane to a time never to be forgotten.
For over 30 years Billy has been dazzling crowds with his punk inspired dance rock and tonight he didn’t disappoint.
Don’t think for one minute this is a nostalgia act; the show incorporates songs from the new CD that are in the classic Idol dance rock vein, but with a modern flair.
New songs like “Postcards from the Past,” “Save Me Now,” “Can’t Break Me Down,” and “Whiskey & Pills” are tight, fast-driven, and neatly tied together with the classic hits; those songs inspired by Billy’s rise to fame while paying homage to all the fans who have been with him since the beginning.
With his whiplash smile and signature sneer, Billy riled the Morristown fans into frenzy for over 90 minutes. Seemingly energized by the fans in the sold out venue, this ’80s icon couldn’t do no wrong.
At almost 60 years old Billy he can still keep up with guys half his age and when the time comes towards the end of the set, he unabashedly to strip down to show off his abs to prove it.
Billy was backed by his rock solid band; Stephen McGrath on bass, Billy Morrison on rhythm guitar, Erik Eldenius on drums, Paul Trudeau on keyboards and of course the Idol’s long time cohort and masterful guitarist, Steve Stevens!
Where Billy is the focal point of the band, Steve Stevens is the soul behind the band. The Orchestrator as he likes to call himself helps keeping the band on track while thrilling the crowd with guitar acrobats like performing his furious windmill wind-ups while delivering striking blows at power chords, tossing the guitar behind his head while playing leads, and using his atomic ray gun to get that modulated sound effect at the end of “Rebel Yell’s” solo.
Steve changed guitar more times than I can remember, each one was more impressive than the next – I lost count at about seven. I’m convinced he had a Guitar Center backstage handing him new models. Most memorable and impressive were Steve’s red and black sparkle signature models SS2 by Knaggs Guitars.
One of my favorite parts of the show is when Steve Stevens breaks into a masterful acoustic/electric guitar solo which encompasses classical and flamingo guitar combined with a Led Zeppelin medley right after the Door’s cover of “L.A. Woman.”
Tonight we were fortunate enough to have Billy Idol’s #1 fan in attendance as Billy handed her the microphone to let her introduce herself. Steve later apologized for his sister’s behaviors. He and Billy cracked up laughing…the lunacy of an Idol show continues.
Among all the fun, there was still plenty of time for all the massive hits which left people dancing in the aisles for “Cradle of Love,” “Dancing with Myself,” “Blue Highway,” and crowd pleaser “Rebel Yell.” Billy slowed down the pace with an acoustic storytelling moment on “Sweet Sixteen” explaining the origins of the infamous song. As it goes, a man was jilted by his 16 year old lover and went on to build an amazing coral castle in Florida in hopes to luring her back. Billy was so inspired by the insanity of it that he had to write a song.
Surprisingly missing from the set were songs off of the band’s 2005 release Devil Playground, which is one of my favorite Idol CDs with its hard rock edge.
Energy, charisma, and showmanship ushered in the first encore; “White Wedding” with an acoustic intro. Having gained momentum, Billy shifted the show into audience participation during “Mony Mony” with the fans chanting “Hey motherfucker get laid, get fucked” during the chorus breaks. Billy owned Morristown, fans leaving the venue walked away with a permanent whiplash smile!
GALLERY
Steve Stevens with his sparkling red Knaggs axe.
Steve Stevens and Billy Idol
Billy Idol Band
