Concert review: Billy Idol, October 16, 2011, Phoenix, Arizona

If it is tradition to give a bride something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue for her wedding, then who better than the singer/songwriter of “White Wedding,” Billy Idol, to bestow that gift. On Sunday night, October 16, 2011, inside the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, Billy Idol and his band gave his prospective brides something old, four Generation X songs, “Ready, Steady, Go,” Love Like Fire,” “King Rocker,” and "Running With The Boss Sound,” something new, two new songs “Postcards From the Past,” and “Too Far To Fall,” something borrowed, a blistering rendition of The Doors’ “L.A. Woman,” and something blue, guitarist’s Steve Stevens blues’ solo riff leading into the Generation X songs or his lit up blue fret bars on his guitar. It was ninety minutes of pure energy (the set would have been longer but for the Arizona State Fair’s imposed ninety minute time limit) which found the all age audience many times dancing with themselves or others.

Taking the stage to “Ready, Steady, Go,” Idol, dressed in a leather jacket and PGA tour inspired red plaid pants, took command of the crowd from the start, his trademark sneer and raised fist supplemented by his fine voice. By the second number, “Dancing With Myself,” the few in the audience who were sitting joined those still standing with many doing exactly what the lyrics suggested, bouncing or jumping in time with the music. Guitarist Steve Stevens showed off his tremendous skills, at one point playing his guitar behind his head, while being coaxed on by Idol. After a couple of lesser known, but well received numbers, Idol had the audience joining him in upward fist pumps punctuating the word “flesh” in Idol’s hit “Flesh For Fantasy.” Stevens hypnotic acoustic guitar work started out “Eyes Without a Face,” and then segued into the rocking second part of the song. The contrast is much more effective live than it is on record. Gymnastic and melodic, Stevens made his shredding look effortless. Another newer song, a personal favorite, the acoustic, biographical “Kings and Queens of the Underground,” preceded Idol’s picking up the guitar (at one time Idol was a guitarist before his solo career) and channeling the original punk singer, Jim Morrison, for The Door’s “L.A. Woman.” With the lyrics changed to “Phoenix woman” the audience roared its approval.

View slideshow: Billy Idol in concert, Phoenix, AZ October 16, 2011

One worry of seeing a concert at the State Fair is that because the concert is free to many, there is a tendency of those in the audience to get up and leave when they get bored. To the credit of those in attendance at the show, there was little of that, the audience not even getting impatient through the trio of Billy Idol’s lesser known Generation X catalog of songs. Kudos, both to the crowd and to Idol for being willing to embrace both lesser known songs and to bring out new material as well. Also a thumbs up to Idol for thanking his audience in little ways such as tossing out autographed paper plates, drum sticks and set lists during the show.

Even though it is Billy Idol’s name on the billboard, Idol was quite generous in his appreciation and praise of long-time collaborator Stevens, one of the world’s top rock guitarists. There are those who attended this show just to watch Stevens rather than Idol. They should not have been disappointed. Steven’s coolness and ability was on display as he smoked, both literally and figuratively during “Blue Highway.” If whammy bar abuse is a crime, haul away Stevens now. Also playing a large part in the success of the night were the remaining members of Idol’s band, guitarist, Billy Morrison, keyboard player Derek Sherinian, the nonstop drumming of Jeremy Colson and the intimidating looking bass guitarist Stephen McGrath.

By the time the now shirtless Idol, whose body does not betray his age, screamed and sang out to the audience “do you feel all right?” during the set closer, “Rebel Yell,” there was only one answer, a resounding "Yes!" With images of flames in the background, fist pumps, sing-alongs and an abundance of camera phones capturing the moment in the audience, it was clear everyone wanted more, more, more.

Before Idol and Stevens began an acoustic start to the encore song “White Wedding,” Idol thanked all his fans “for making my life so f***ing great.” Thank you Billy for making the night you spent with us equally as great as well.