There were not as many Alabama license plates or Confederate flags scattered among the tailgaters at the PNC Bank Arts Center parking lot as one would expect at a Lynyrd Skynyrd show on a clear Friday evening in Holmdel, NJ. Even so, the feeling of unity, love and the need to have a good time at the expense of some classic, live, southern rock ‘n’ roll music was evident among all the audience and performers in preparation of the fourth of July weekend. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels, and 38 Special didn’t disappoint with their crisp, guitar-infused sets and harmonized shouts to support the troops and come together as one peaceful nation, all while drinking and rallying along onstage to give the audience a show to remember.
The God and Guns Tour opened just as the sun was setting with 38 Special, a band from Jacksonville, Florida who have a true, strong southern rock sound. Their many hits include their 80’s released “Back Where you Belong” and “Second Chance.” Lead vocalist Donnie Van Zant, brother of former Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant, had a very strong set and did a superior job keeping up with the fast and loud tempos of the background guitar and drum beats. When the band ripped into the song “Fantasy Girl,” the crowd got out of their seats and began to set the upbeat mood that would permeate the rest of the night, and it turned out to be one of their most successful songs of the night.
The anticipation for the next act kept people on their feet, as Bret Michaels, former lead singer of Poison, and his band took the stage. During his stint on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice, Michaels had many trips in and out of the hospital after he experienced a brain hemorrhage that put his life at high risk. Although his vocals and stance were a bit shaky, he put on a spectacular performance given his current physical condition. He kept the crowd going by playing many new tracks set to be released on his album Custom Built on July 6. Although it was odd to keep seeing photos of the girls from Michael’s past VH1 reality show Rock of Love pop up on the jumbo screen, Michaels kept his performance so down-to-earth and sincere that no negative judgments could be made. He closed his set with the much beloved Poison song “Every Rose has its Thorn,” and left the stage leaving the women in the audience crooning.
“I just really looked forward to Bret’s performance after everything he’s been through. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t the best performance, but I still loved it,” said 45-year-old concertgoer Patricia Gartland from Clinton, NJ.
Just as the stars were coming out and the beer cans were flying, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s seven-man band greeted the crowd with a drum and guitar solo introduction. Johnny Van Zant, the son of the deceased Ronnie Van Zant, carried such a deep, southern voice and attitude that was so reminiscent of his father’s that the differences between the two performers are minimal. After a devastating 1977 plane crash that killed a majority of the band, pre-crash member and guitarist Gary Rossington is the last of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd who still tours with the band. Although the actual Lynyrd Skynyrd no longer exists, the new bandmates do a great job of keeping their southern rock sound unique yet still reminiscent of the talent that has allowed Lynyrd Skynyrd to gain the recognition it deserves. Johnny Van Zant did great in covering hits such as “Simple Man” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” With his Confederate flag-draped microphone, Van Zant captured a deep connection with his audience and kept the high spirits up the entire set. After a loud encore, Lynyrd Skynyrd returned to the stage with a great rendition of “Free Bird,” which proved to be the best performance of the night.
Check out 38 Special, Bret Michaels, and Lynyrd Skynyrd as they continue their God and Guns summer tour into July, and then continue their touring with separate performances throughout 2010.
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