Kid Rock Storms Madison Square

On Thursday, May 15, 2008, Kid Rock blew the roof off the World's Most Famous Arena with what can only be described as the greatest concert experience of my young life. My lone regret is that I ripped off Kid Rock by only paying $80/ticket to sit in his glorious presence.

Rolling Stone's photos (here)

As a professional reporter, I brought a notepad with me to track the set lists. I started off strong:

but apparently learned Mandarin as the evening progressed:

Look at that handwriting. What seems to be the problem, ocifer?

The opening act saw Southern Rock gods Lynyrd Skynyrd prep the crowd with a four-guitar assault on the senses. Incredibly, this marked the first time Skynyrd played MSG in their 30-year history. Naturally, this means that May 15, 2008 might have also marked the first time the Bars and Stars flew so freely, as frontman Johnny Van Zandt showcased his Southern pride with the Rebel Flag throughout the opening act.

There's nothing like hearing classic foot tappers like That Smell, Gimme Three Steps, and Call Me the Breeze from an opening act. A background note, several members of the band--including frontman Ronnie Van Zandt (Johnny's older brother) were killed in a plane crash outside of McComb, Miss. in 1977. The fact that Ronnie's lyrics still hold up after all these decades show what a true genius he was. Case in point, the building came apart when the opening chords of Sweet Home Alabama (Or, as I like to call it, the National Anthem) flowed into the command, "Turn it up!" (is there no more sublime phrase in the English language?)

Finally, the band closed by giving in to the set-long calls from the audience demanding Free bird. Stage right, a resplendent white piano spun upon a platform, adorned with an American flag and eagle stauette. Free bird lived up to the expectations.

During the intermission, I made one of about 15 trips to the men's room. While there, I started a conversation with this bruiser that was wearing a "Sturgis '07" t-shirt. I asked if he was going back this year, but apparently fuel prices and the OPEC cartel impacts biker dudes and in this current economic climate, he couldn't go. In hindsight, I'm surprised he actually answered my question with words and not his fist.

After the intermission, Kid Rock started balls to the wall and didn't let up save for a brief intermission. The set began with the title track from his latest studio album, Rock and Roll Jesus. He flowed into Welcome to the Party (My name's Kid Rock, I'm a Capricorn/Detroit City's where I was born). Ok, great start, then Kid Rock introduced the Bronx' own, Peter Wolf, the former frontman of the J. Geils Band. The crowd was thrilled as Wolf let them know Love Stinks.

Rock took control of the show w/ MF'er Quite Like Me, American Bad Ass, Lowlife and Cocky. After Skynyrd played Sweet Home, it was interesting to hear the familiar progressions adorn Rock's All Summer Long, flowing along with Werewolves of London.







Rock slowed it down with Roll On into Cowboy and then belted Half Your Age with his incredibly talented drummer, Stefanie Eulinberg. Stef does a great job with Picture and didn't let down. Only God Knows Why was next. This song speaks for itself, but it was enhanced by one of our fellow audience members. Matt was talking with this guy sitting next to us, calling him "Stevie" all night. I was like, Matt, do you know this guy? Matt said, No, but doesn't he look like Steve O?

And he did, in fact, look like Steve O.

Apparently, Mr. O was addicted to coke (his words) and Only God Knows Why was the reason he stopped. He then pulled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo adorned with a cross and the words, Only God Knows Why. Steve later told Matt that his brother was in magazine publishing and wanted to shoot Matt for the magazine. We'll see where that goes.

Hallejluah, I See the Light!

At the end of the first set, Wolf returned to the stage and duetted with Rock on Centerfold (awesome) into Ain't Too Proud to Beg and Musta (Been Wrong). That would have been enough. Alas, Rock was far from done.

After the intermission, Rock started with Devil Without a Cause, with the requisite Joe C cameo from beyond the grave. Then the big moment: Rev. Run's return to the Madison Square Garden Stage. At this point, I left my seat and ran around the World's Most Famous Arena, slapping 5's with everyone as Rock and Run did hits like It's Tricky, King of Rock and Walk This Way. Simply Amazing.

Rock finished up with one of my favorite parts of his act. He steps up to the turntables and talks with his hands, he plays the piano and plays the guitar and drums. Again, this flexibility didn't let me down.

Run and Wolf came back out to wrap things up with For What Its Worth and Rock encored with Bawitaba. The night was complete and fulfillment (or something) was in the air. The best thing about Kid Rock is that when he closes a show, you always feel like you received your money's worth.

Outside the arena, as I stood on the corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue, It was easy to feel fulfilled. Either that or really enjoying som nondescript meat on a stick that Chico bought me.

Nonetheless, I was high on life and filled with the spirit of Rock and Roll Jesus.


Set list feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
01 - Rock N Roll Jesus
02 - Welcome 2 The Party
03 - Love Stinks feat. Peter Wolf
04 - MF Quite Like Me>Sad But True>American Bad Ass
05 - Lowlife
06 - Cocky
07 - All Summer Long
08 - Roll On
09 - Cowboy>You Never Called Me By My Name>Cowboy
10 - Half Your Age feat. Stefanie Eulinberg
11 - Only God Knows Why
12 - Amen
13 - Centerfold>Proud To Beg>Musta Feat. Peter Wolf
INTERMISSION
14 - Devil Without A Cause (Joe C checkin in from heaven's gate)
15 - Rock Box>It's Like That>It's Tricky>You Be Illin feat. Rev Run
16 - Here We Go>King Of Rock>Walk This Way feat. Rev Run
17 - Picture feat. Stacy Michelle
18 - Instrumental Jam with Kid Rock talking with his hands
19 - So Hott
20 - For What It's Worth feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
21 - This Little Light Of Mine feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
22 - Bawitdaba

Set list courtesy of: http://extremekr.proboards76.com/index.cgi?board=liveconcerts&action=display&thread=5178

Rolling Stone's photos (here)