By Mike McKenney, Rock At Night New England
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncaseville, Connecticut-May 27, 2018
Sunday night brought a true legendary doubleheader with John Fogerty and ZZ Top performing all their hits to a sold out Arena. For almost 50 yrs, ZZ Top has kept their original three members, Dusty Hill (bass, vocals), Billy Gibbons (guitar, vocals) and Frank Beard (drums) together playing their blues inspired rock. Looking every bit the “Sharp Dressed Men” they sing about, ZZ Top played their signature songs to a fully involve the audience. Iconic tunes “Legs”, “Got Me Under Pressure”, “Cheap Sunglasses” and “Tube Snake Boogie got the crowd fired up, while Billy Gibbons had everyone laughing when after performing “Pearl Necklace” he mentioned “that song was not about jewelry”!
Smooth as silk, with unmatched bluesy guitar perfected over the last 50yrs, ZZ Top could go on playing forever, they haven’t skipped a beat. The combination of John Fogerty and ZZ Top may sound a little strange at first but their styles actually compliment each other well. Both bands feature amazing guitar work and both have built their style from Americana roots.
Honed during his Creedence Clearwater Revival days, John Fogerty’s unique cajun/country influenced rock blends in with his fun loving onstage personality. Smiling as he plays a list of hits, “Proud Mary”, “Centerfield”, and “Bad Moon Rising”, Dancing around the stage, jumping to the beat, Fogerty’s energy is amazing for a man that received his first Gold album in 1968.
Sunday was a special day for John. After his two sons joined him onstage to play, ZZ Top came out with a cake, singing Happy Birthday to celebrate John’s 73rd birthday! But the surprises didn’t stop there as both the iconic beards, and the raging cajun sang “16 Tons” by Merle Travis.
It was also Memorial Day, so playing a guitar he used at Woodstock, Fogerty (a veteran who was drafted during the Vietnam War) capped the night off with a fitting “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “Senators Son”. It was a night of great music and surprises by two of the worlds most unique bands. For those lucky enough to find tickets, the “Blues and Bayous” tour continues through June.
John Fogerty Setlist:
Travelin’ Band
Hey Tonight
Rock and Roll Girls
Good Golly Miss Molly
Psycho (w/son Tyler on vocals)
Up Around the Bend
Love and War
I heard it through the Grapevine
Keep On Choolin’
Born On The Bayou
My Toot Toot
Jambalaya
New Orleans
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Down On The Corner
Centerfield
The Old Man Down the Road
Who’ll Stop the Rain
Fortunate Son
Bad Moon Rising
Proud Mary
ZZ Top Setlist:
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waiting For the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Give Me All Your Lovin’
Pearl Neckless
I’m Bad I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
Sixteen Tons
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
La Grange
Tush
Photo Gallery
Mike McKenney is an award winning professional photographer and current New England Correspondent for Rock At Night magazine.
With his years of experience and passion for Concert Photography, Mike has photographed many of the famous acts in the world today.
Rock Icons such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews, and Fleetwood Mac along with Country artist Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney,and Jason Aldean have all appeared before Mike’s camera.
"My goal is always to present the experience truthfully so fans can feel the energy and emotions the Artists convey. It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to be allowed to create art while blending my two passions, music and photography”
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