Like a spring thaw, which I understand happens in other parts of the country, previously frozen information about upcoming classic rock tours is beginning to melt. Several classic rock act appearances in the Valley have been recently announced by Danny Zelisko Presents, Live Nation and other Phoenix area promoters. Here is what’s coming up.
ERIC CLAPTON, with THE WALLFLOWERS, March 14, 2013, US Airways Center, Phoenix. Doubtful that there is a bigger living guitar legend. His 2013 tour kicks off in Phoenix with a top notch band including Paul Carrack on keyboards. Expect to hear a cut or two off his new album, “Old Sock,” to be released in March. Limited tickets currently on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $45.25-$121.25 plus fees.
REO SPEEDWAGON AND STARSHIP FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS, March 23, 2013, Encanterra Country Club, San Tan Valley. The Good Life Festival continues its annual tradition of bringing classic rock acts to the far East Valley. There may be no way out to roll with the changes for this afternoon and evening of 1980’s hits. Tickets currently on sale through goodlifefest.com and are priced at $25.00 and $35.00 with VIP seating available as well. Check out their website for possible discounts being offered.
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED, March 23, 2013, Wild Horse Pass Casino, Chandler. Original CCR members Stu Cook and Doug Clifford bring their band to town. If you want to see if Susie Q is hanging out down on the corner, this night is for you. Tickets on sale through the Wild Horse Pass Casino box office and range from $34.00 to $109.00.
THE TUBES, April 5, 2013, Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. Long before anyone else dared to try to mix rock and roll with costumes and dancing, Phoenix bred, The Tubes, were leading the charge. See if Fee Waybill’s Quay Lewd is still wearing ridiculously high platform shoes or now has a walker. The band might even talk to you later. Tickets are priced at a bargain $25.00 plus fees and are available through Ticketmaster.
HEART, April 7, 2013, Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix. Soon to be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, bring their melodic sounds to town in support of their latest album, “Fanatic.” You can go crazy on them. Tickets on sale now through the Celebrity Theatre box office and range from $70.00 to $100.00.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, April 12, 2013, HandleBar Saloon Tent at WestWorld in Scottsdale. Part of the concert series at the Arizona Bike Week celebration. Come on and listen to the music. Tickets for the events of the day cost $25.00 and are available through the Arizona Bike Week website.
QUEENSRŸCHE, April 14, 2013, Marquee Theater, Tempe. The group had a major split in 2012. This version of Queensrÿche is the one led by Geoff Tate, whose lead vocals for the group over the last thirty years are unmistakable. The band will celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Operation Mindcrime,” which will be performed in its entirety. If the revolution is calling you to attend, tickets are $36.50 and available through Lucky Man Concerts.
THE BEACH BOYS, April 20, 2013, Encanterra Country Club, San Tan Valley. Speaking of groups that have had personnel splits in 2012, the Mike Love, Bruce Johnston version of the Beach Boys promise to bring fun, fun, fun to the final concert of the Good Life Festival spring series. Tickets currently on sale through goodlifefest.com and are priced at $35.00 and $40.00.
BON JOVI, April 23, 2013, Jobing.com Arena, Glendale. Oh sure, Jon Bon Jovi has devilishly good looks and has sold 135 million albums worldwide, but what has he done for you lately? How about the new album “What About Now,” due out in March. If you give love a bad name, then your ticket is currently on sale through Ticketmaster and ranges from $34.10-$97.00, plus fees.
FOREIGNER, April 26, 2013, Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. After 8 years of singing lead vocals, Kelly Hansen can hardly be called the “new singer,” in Foreigner. But he is the latest singer to belt out Mick Jones’s hits like “Hot Blooded,” and “Jukebox Hero.” If you want to see what love is, tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $58.00 -$136.00, fees included.
HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS, May 18, 2013, Wild Horse Pass Casino, Chandler. Thank goodness this man made it hip to be square because otherwise I’d want a new drug. His chin has made women swoon since the 1980’s. If such a power of love makes you want to see the heart of rock and roll, tickets can be purchased through the Wild Horse Pass Casino box office and run from $65.00 to $150.00 with discounts given to Player’s Club card members.
FLEETWOOD MAC, May 30, 2013, US Airways Center, Phoenix. Hometown girl Stevie Nicks comes back to Phoenix with those other guys, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their “Rumors” album. Tickets currently on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $88.00-$159.00, fees included.
ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, June 7, 2013, Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. Where would the Phoenix Suns or Chicago Bulls be without Alan Parson’s “Sirius?” Not to be confused with Austin Power’s Dr. Evil’s plan of the same name, you may think you’ve only heard “Eye in the Sky,” by this group, but I’m guessing you’d say, “oh they did THAT song too?" For now, only single seats remain available through Ticketmaster.
BOZ SCAGGS, June 21, 2013, Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. What can I say about the lowdown on this crooner? If your heart doesn’t melt when listening to “Look What You’ve Done to Me,” then you probably shouldn’t be looking for tickets. But for those that are, they go on sale March 2, 2013 through Ticketmaster and will be priced at $45.00-$125.00 plus fees.
IAN ANDERSON, July 10, 2013, Phoenix Symphony Hall. The front man for Jethro Tull has made flute playing look cool for decades. This time out, he’s performing Jethro Tull’s classic 1972 album “Thick as a Brick,” and the follow up album, 2012’s “Thick as a Brick 2” in their entirety. Find out what happened to wunderkind Gerald Bostock. Tickets go on sale March 1, 2013 through Ticketmaster and will run from $43.00 to $128.00.
CHICAGO, August 10, 2013, Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix. Speaking of bands with cool flute players, they’ve been performing for six decades and show no sign of stopping. This show will be a Saturday in the round. Rather than call on me, check out the Celebrity Theater box office for tickets which will go on sale March 11, 2013 and be priced at $65.00 and $125.00.
Comments