I am getting ready for the first Y&T/RK gig tomorrow (Friday March 31) in Las Vegas at the Empire Ballroom.

I will be seeing a lot of old friends, no doubt making a few new ones, and I will post a report afterward for those who can't make it.

If anyone in the Vegas area wants to come, or if you know someone in the area that may want to come, you/they can download free tickets in .pdf format from Y&T's web site http://yandtrocks.com - go to the 'tour dates' page for the link.

I hope that It will be kick ass for you and blow them out of the water, Have fun. I wish I could be there.

I promised to post a report, sorry it took a few days. I've been recuperating, since this past birthday I've needed to add an extra day to my recuperation time...

First of all, it was great catching up with Dave, Phil, and Leonard from Y&T. They were extremely cool to me, and we had a lot of smiles and memories from back in the day to recount. Their manager, Dave's wife Jill, was very gracious and helpful as well. Those guys were super nice, and sounded great - all of the classic songs delivered with the utmost power and precision. Dave's voice sounded as good as ever, and I was on the floor for the first notes of 'Open Fire' with my fist in the air.

I had the opportunity to see some old friends, most notably original Steeler guitarist Michael Dunigan...it had been well over 20 years since we had seen each other, and it was awesome to hang out with him. Michael Olivieri from Leatherwolf came out from LA to see the show and hang out, and we have discussed doing a project together in the future, I'll keep you posted on that. Other folks I'd worked with and many hard core fans in attendance, so I was overwhelmed to say the least.

The opening act, you ask?? Well, there were 2 - I was informed at the last minute that another 80's band, Roxanne, had reformed for this show. They were good, and nice guys. I went on first, about a half hour after the doors opened, and the place was packed - a very nice venue right on the Strip, very exciting since this was Ron Keel's first-ever Vegas gig.

I've done the 'Solo Acoustic' show at events like the KISS Expos, and venues like Big George's in Plain City where I am of course very much at home and in my comfort zone - but this was a fairly high-pressure situation, on the Vegas Strip at a nice big venue, with a packed house of about 1000 rockers who were there to hear thunderous drums and screaming guitars, so I was a little nervous and didn't know if my act would go over.

From the minute I walked out on stage, playing the first notes of 'Private Lies', all apprehension disappeared, thanks to the love of the crowd. There were a lot of smiles, fists in the air, applause, and within a few songs I had the entire joint singing along with 'Because The Night'. The response was better than I could have hoped for, and I was glad to know that without the bells and whistles - without the smoke and mirrors - the songs and the voice and the stories are still entertaining to people. My set included several KEEL songs - 'Private Lies', 'Because The Night', 'Tears Of Fire' & 'The Right To Rock' as well as 'The Time Of My Life' and 'Serenade', and my first time ever doing an acoustic version of Black Sabbath's 'Heaven & Hell', which worked surprising well (I like picking the bass line in the verses with my right hand while thumping my left fist in the air).

It true Ron Keel fashion, 'The Right To Rock' ended up with me spilling a full glass of Jack Daniel's into the electronics of my acoustic guitar...the next day, the guitar worked just fine (in fact, it was in much better shape than I was). Love my Dean guitars.

My husband and I had never heard of Y&T and last night I went on there web sight and listened to some of the songs and both my husband and I loved them it would be great to get them fo come to Ohio with Iron Horse.

I have to ask if Y&T did the song "Dirty Girl"??

Man wish i could have been there!! sounds like it was a great time. In my eyes Y&T never got the credit that they deserved. They have always been one of my favorite bands. And if anyone is not familiar with Y&T go out and buy contagious. Probably my favorite Y&T album.

I was in Vegas to catch Rons' set, after a brutal drive from Corona, Cal on a friday afternoon during spring break. After checking into my room and barely having time to get a quick bite i was ready to grab a brew and get ROCKED! And Ronnie did just that. Excellent job Bro! You couldn't have picked a better time to spill the Jack. What was it, like the last 5 seconds of the set? That was agreat night of music! Y&T was great too
Looking forward to the next one
MichaelO

"Contagious" is a good release, and had the distinction of being produced by Kevin Beamish--our producer for "Bring It On", but for the true Y&T sound your best bets are what came before-- "EarthShaker", "Mean Streak", and "In Rock We Trust".

AWESOME!! Wish I coulda been there to witness, yet again, another round of drinks dumped from the likes of lettin the music do what it will!!

An IH and Y&T show would be the shiznet!! Achiles is all but healed so I am ready to go!! (hint hint)

I have been a huge Y&T fan forever. Dave Meniketti has one of the best rock vocals out there, in my humble opinion. Altho one of my fav songs has no vocals on it. It is an instrumental called *I'll cry for you* on the Contagious album if memory serves. Gotta love the screamin geetarz that reach out and grab ya by the balls!!

Lipstick and Leather forever!!

Does anyone remember when they changed the name from Yesterday and Today to Y&T?? Or did they ever put out an album under the full name at all??

At least the first two were under Yesterday And Today.....which just goes to show you don't need a cool name to kick ass.

Sounds like a kick ass time!!

Bring that show to Ohio & Ron Keel's people will be there!

It sounds like it was a great night of Rock and Roll. Wish I was there...

True if you want the true Y&T sound i agree earth shaker , mean streak, and in rock we trust are the true Y&T sound. I mean hey DON'T STOP RUNNING is one of my favorite Y&T songs. But for me Contagious is the best Y&T album. maybe it's just the memories i have from that album. But i still highly recommend picking up a copy.

Ron - Thanks for a great show, Jennifer and I had a blast. It was nice to get a chance to sit down and talk with you for a while. Thanks for making time for us. Only 7 weeks until the Winnemucca IH show - I can't wait.

Don't Stop Dreamin'
Sheldon

Quote:

Originally posted by JR "Contagious" is a good release, and had the distinction of being produced by Kevin Beamish--our producer for "Bring It On", but for the true Y&T sound your best bets are what came before-- "EarthShaker", "Mean Streak", and "In Rock We Trust".

I agree JR. My favorite is "In Rock We Trust". I actually have all three on vinyl!

TOTALLY MISSED THIS SHOW...I REMEMBER ROXANNE... MY WIFE ACTUALLY HAS THEIR CASSETTE SOMEWHERE...THEY KICKED ASS BACK IN THE DAY, BUT BECAME A GOOFY PARTY BAND, TURNING FROM ROCK TO FUNK AND CRAP...EVENTUALLY THEY BECAME THE BOOGIE KNIGHTS I THINK...DAMN I WISH I KNEW RK WAS GONNA BE HERE!!! STUPID!!!!! BY THE WAY, IF ANYONE NEEDS ROOMS FOR THE TAILSPIN SHOW, LET ME KNOW. I MANAGE A SMALL HOTEL CLOSE TO THE VENUE... ROCK ON!

KEELAHOLIC - I am considering coming in to Vegas a couple of days early to relax, work on some tunes, and play a bit - I am interested in a room Tomorrow & Saturday April 7-8. My rooms are already arranged for April 9-16. Email me at ron_keel@lycos.com and we'll talk about it. Thanks!

Just checked out Y&Ts forum....lotsa good stuff about the show and Rks performance. Also have some asking about another set of opening shows for Y&T. Wonder how RK would handle a Ron Keel/IronHorse/Y&T gig?? LOL!! Be almost as good as a Ron Keel/Steeler/IronHorse/Keel gig......whatcha say bro?? wanna try it?? LOL!!

This time in Colorado - My Avator will be of Me and Joey Alves.

Ron say Hi to Dave & the guys for me...They will know me as Dean Streak...
I wish I would have been there for Vegas - sounded awesome.

Chicago Y&T fans - they are coming here too...JULY 21st. Get reading for one of the band live acts in Hard Rock.

Songs like I Believe in you, Rescue Me, Dirty Girl, Mean Streak, Black Tiger, Forever, Open Fire...and many more you will be very pleased.

Hey Jay you should come back up for that...let me know.