Review & Photos by Charlie Steffens
Two legendary rock acts, Joe Walsh and Bad Company, shared the stage on the Los Angeles stop of the “One Hell of a Night” tour, each performing sets of their greatest hits. They drew a sizeable crowd into the Fabulous Forum, a venue where both have played several times over their long, successful careers.
Bad Company was welcomed with wild applause as singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke (original members), along with ex-Heart guitarist Howard Leese, former Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson, and bassist Todd Ronning (from Rodgers’ solo band) took the stage.
While it was a differently staffed Bad Company, the first song “Live For The Music” was exemplary to lineups past. After all, Paul Rodgers was at the mic, looking fit and sounding dynamic. “Gone, Gone, Gone,” from 1979’s Desolation Angels, along with a string of hits, had the crowd dancing in the aisles and singing out loud.
Because of the size of the vast stage, Leese and Robinson weren’t in close proximity, and didn’t move around much, yet they proved to be an impressive guitar duo. Robinson, standing in for original guitarist Mick Ralphs for this tour, held his own. Kirke played with authority, combining power and technical prowess. At one point, he stepped down from the drum kit and strapped on a guitar as part of the five-man acoustic troupe to play “Seagull.”
“Shooting Star” was the pinnacle of the set. Rodgers engaged the crowd in singing the verses and chorus along with him. The 66-year-old singer, who has influenced some of rock’s most respected names, still works the stage as hard as any. Moreover, his voice sounds great.
After the intermission, Joe Walsh took the stage. “I feel good tonight!” he exclaimed. “Bad Company was really good. Damn it.” Then he and his band, made up of several musicians, including backup singers and two drummers, cranked out the James Gang classic “Walk Away.” Walsh and guitarist Waddy Wachtel displayed their guitar moxie, sounding off vicious licks while the rest of the band provided a lush soundscape.
“It’s nice to have a nice place to play in Los Angeles,” Walsh said, referencing the Forum. Two years earlier, he played the venue as a member of the Eagles. “I’d like to dedicate the next song to my brother and band mate, (the late) Glenn Frey.” Beautifully played, “Take It To The Limit” featured a backdrop of imagery, mainly old photos of Frey and the Eagles. Backup singer Rickey Washington sang the second verse (“You can spend all your time making money”) and blew the house away. The moving tribute will not soon be forgotten.
“Turn to Stone” showcased Walsh’s vocals and guitar playing. He introduced “Life’s Been Good” with humor: “It started off as a very intimate, beautiful love song. I don’t know what happened. I guess I stayed up too late… one month. Anyway, see what you think. I’m sick of it. Maybe you’ll like it.” The crowd liked it.
As expected, Walsh’s brother-in-law Ringo Starr (Starr’s wife, Barbara Bach, is Walsh’s wife’s sister) came onstage to drum for the first encore, “Rocky Mountain Way.” Walsh’s talk box-enhanced guitar was incendiary. With the audience on their feet, the night of truly classic rock came to an all-star close to the sounds of “All Night Long.”
