With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo drawing to a close (see below), my thoughts turn to musical performances at rodeos of years past. The most memorable rodeo show that I have seen, hands down, was Elvis in 1970. Sure, it was “Vegas” Elvis, but he was still rocking like nobody’s business.
Other highlights over the years included performances by Johnny Cash, Glenn Campbell, Buck Owens and Roy Clark, Merle Haggard and ZZ Top. And then there was the Sonny and Cher show which took place on the rotating stage in the middle of the arena. Because Cher had to change into several different Bob Mackie gowns during the performance, a small wooden structure was constructed onstage to serve as a dressing room, since there were no wings for her to dash off to. And in case you were wondering, yes, aside from the lack of a crescent moon on the door, it looked just like an outhouse.
My father was the arena director of the rodeo for several years, and during rodeo season, he would stay with me due to my proximity to the Astrodome (yes, this was a few years back) and, later, NRG Stadium. In addition to getting to spend some quality time with Dad, these visits were also fun because I got to hear his critiques of each evening’s performance. Beyoncé (initially pronounced “BEE-yonce” by Dad)? “Cute little thing, but kind of squirrely.” Steve Miller? “I really liked that sport coat he was wearing.” And, best of all, Bob Dylan. “He had a really good band, but I couldn’t understand a word he was singing!”
Ticket Alert
Scottish rockers Nazareth will perform at the House of Blues on Wednesday, May 28. The band was formed in the late ‘60s but didn’t hit its commercial stride until a few years later with the 1975 album Hair of the Dog, which featured the songs “Hair of the Dog” (“Now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch”) and “Love Hurts.” Presales are in progress, and the general sale will commence on Friday.
Despite foisting one of the worst album covers ever on an unsuspecting public, Orleans charted a number of hits during the ‘70s, among them “Dance With Me,” “Still the One” and “Love Takes Time.” The band appeared recently at Main Street crossing, but they will be returning to Houston late this summer. Tickets are on sale now for the band’s show (well, actually dinner and a show) at the Dosey Doe on Friday, August 29.
Guitarist Michael Schenker has the reputation of being something of a flake, but his work with Scorpions and UFO casts a long shadow over the world of heavy metal. Schenker will appear at the White Oak Music Hall on Sunday, October 12, with a show featuring songs recorded with UFO (“Lights Out,” “Too Hot to Handle”). Tickets are on sale now.
Concerts This Week
Rapper Tyler the Creator and his “Chromakopia” tour make a stop tonight at Toyota Center, with Lil Yachty and Paris Texas opening. Tyler’s album of the same name was released late last year and has proved to be both a commercial and critical success. Despite reports of past beefs with fellow rappers Eminem and DJ Kahled, Tyler says that things are copacetic these days, so all should be cool at the show.
If you want some industrial-strength old-school punk rock, head over to Dan Electro’s tonight for another in a series of CBGB Wednesdays. Houston’s original punk band, The Hates, will headline a bill that also includes Wyde Roots and The Lockdown. If you see Christian Kidd’s spiked mohawk, you will know you are in the right place.
Iconic nu-metal band Papa Roach will be at Toyota Center on Thursday, with Rise Against and Underoath opening. The tour, cleverly, has been christened “The Rise of the Roach.” Coincidentally, both Papa Roach and Rise Against are celebrating 25th anniversaries.
It’s a celebration of thrash and metal Thursday through Saturday at the White Oak Music Hall, as the seventh annual Hell’s Heroes festival comes to town. There will be more hard- rocking bands than you can bang a head at, including Saxon, Abbath, Crimson Glory, Cavalera, Samael and Warlord. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: the festival takes its name from a 1929 Western, the first sound movie directed by William Wyler (The Best Years of Our Lives, Mrs. Miniver, The Letter).
Daryl Hall and John Oates haven’t performed together for several years, but after an acrimonious dispute regarding the sale of their song catalog, it seems that the duo is officially kaput. Nevertheless, Hall is soldiering on, with an appearance at the Arena Theatre on Saturday. And there is a bonus – Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze will be opening.
As for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, it’s just about time to call in the dogs and piss on the fire over at NRG Stadium, but here are the remaining performances, finishing strong with Luke Bryan on Sunday.
Old Dominion – Wednesday, March 19
Cody Jinks – Thursday, March 20
Parker McCollum – Friday, March 21
Brooks and Dunn – Saturday, March 22
Luke Bryan – Sunday, March 23
_(53032666775).jpg){kind=link}