Music legends aren't born easily. It has to be just the right band, with just the right sound, coming along at just the right time. That band was Montrose, and that sound was heavy, melodic, no-holds-barred rock and roll.
The critics called them "a scorching outfit…" "incredibly impressive…" "part [Jeff] Beck, part Led Zeppelin, and three-fourths nitroglycerin…" "sheer rock and roll ecstasy."
The original Montrose remains the stuff of rock and roll legend, the ultimate stateside power trio with vocals. The songs are a virtual greatest hits of American hard rock: "Rock the Nation," "Bad Motor Scooter," "Space Station #5," "I Got the Fire," "Jump On It," and the immortal "Rock Candy." The fans have been begging for more ever since.
But Ronnie Montrose has always followed his heart. Ever anxious to take his music to the next level, in 1979 he founded the trailblazing band Gamma, a group whose trio of ahead-of-their-time albums were an explosion of guitar and synthesizer pyrotechnics anchored by a bluesy edge.
Between and beyond these band forays, Montrose the player devoted himself to exploring instrumental guitar music on landmark albums like Open Fire and The Speed of Sound. Fans periodically clamored for another taste of the original Montrose power trio format, but he wouldn't revisit Montrose – that huge, heavy sound; those rich, pealing riffs -- until the time came when he could do it with total conviction. (ronniemontrose.com)
On Friday, February 3, 2012
The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley Ca. featured Ronnie Montrose and all his "total conviction" to a very intimate audience of hardcore Montrose fans. He even said, "This venue is so intimate, I don't need a microphone for you all to hear me, but I'll use one anyway".
Although, most people in attendance did not know about the loss of Ronnie's beloved bulldog, "Lola" the day before the show and how very depressed he must have been. Ronnie still came to ROCK, and that's just what he did !!!
The set, in this examiners opinion was a bit shorter, (he still played all his hits) but under the circumstances, you can understand why. Ronnie brought all his energy to the stage and still "Rocked the House" with his great talent and guitar riffs that made him what he is today.
People were singing to every song and just having a great time, no one left disappointed.
When Ronnie comes back, I highly reccomend you don't miss him.
After the show in the green room, all Ronnie could talk about was the loss of his dear friend, you could tell he was very distraught, but if you were lucky enough to even get in there, he still took the time to take photos and sign a few autographs.
YOU ROCK MR. MONTROSE !!!
Playing alongside Ronnie were, Dan McNay - (bass), Steve Brown - (drums) and Randy Scoles - (vocals)
Opening the show was rocker Michael Lee Firkins.
As Ronnie does at every show he plays, he signed and dated the guitar he played his encore with (bad motor scooter) and donated it to a local charity. Michael Lee Firkins joined him onstage for the encore.
This was a GREAT show !!! A good time was had by all .
For all things Ronnie Montrose go to, http://www.ronniemontrose.com/index.html
The Center for the Arts is a cultural and educational organization that promotes and presents the literary, visual, & performing arts for the enrichment of our community.
Visit their web-site for all up-coming shows and events or if you want to become a member at, http://thecenterforthearts.org/category/event-calendar/?ec3_after=today
A very, very special thanks to Leighsa Montrose for all her help, YOU ROCK !!!
As with all this examiners reviews and feature stories, the photos are what it's all about, so check out the photo slide show. There's lots of photos to see.
All photos by, JOHN TUCKNESS
RockMePhoto, http://rockmephoto.smugmug.com/
Support your local bands and venues ... GO TO A SHOW !!!
ROCK ON
Comments