Thursday night at Key Arena: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. You know Bob Seger -- had long dark hair, wrote "Before the Wind" and "Like a Rock"? Weird to see him now with glasses and short-cut silver hair. (If he saw us he'd probably think we look weird too, now.)
No stupid set tricks. Restrained lights, no silly talk. We were sitting in the front row, first balcony. Seemed like a good idea at the time, BUT: no way to get up and dance -- it would have sent us hurtling to certain death below. There was no room. So while the folks on the main floor danced and boogied around and generally had an ecstatic sweaty great time and bacchanal, those of us in the balcony sat glued to our seats like naughty students waiting to see the principal. The boy next to me jiggled his thigh the whole time, as if the rhythm in his very being had to escape somehow. I know this because the seats are small up there. This boy and I were closer together than most engaged couples.
Even though we couldn't dance it was one good tight concert. Four piece horn section excellent. Drummer from Grand Funk Railroad -- and how long has it been since you've heard those words, hmm? I was hoping they would do "Betty Lou", and they did. And "Old Time Rock and Roll" and "Katmandu", and they did. "Trying to Live My Life Without You" and "Night Moves", and they did. One intermission, more music. Played their little hearts out even though Seger said he was fighting a cold. He hasn't toured in 12 years but he sounds wonderful and looks great. Jeans, t-shirt, headband. All he needs.