The classic rock tour of the winter months, perhaps even all year, made its way through Buffalo this past Wednesday night. Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band along with The J. Geils Band opening the show, gave everyone in the crowd their money’s worth and a whole lot more. This is the third time Seger has played Buffalo over the last four (4) years and he still played in front of a near capacity crowd.
The J. Geils Band opened up the show and their brand of stripped down blues based rock is just what the doctor ordered to get the crowd primed for Seger. The band did an instrumental Sno-Cone before vocalist Peter Wolf joined them onstage for “Hard Drivin’ Man.” The band is still led by Wolf and original members Danny Klein on bass, Seth Justman on keyborads and Magic Dick on harmonica. Still one of the most fun bands you will see perform live, J. Geils can deliver the goods. Wolf still has the pipes and the moves to keep the crowd’s interests at a fever pitch the entire time. They dedicated “Detroit Breakdown” to Seger while thanking him for brining them on tour. They tapped into their biggest chart topping album by playing “Centerfold.” They also played crowd favorites “Love Stinks” (where he handed roses out to various women) and perhaps the song the band is most associated with, “Whammer Jammer.” A great set by one of the most underrated bands of all time.
This was the first time I got to witness Bob Seger live. I figured if I was going to take in one of rock and roll’s most legendary performers, now might be the best time to do it. Seger performed with a 15 piece band with all but two having Detroit ties. He is still accompanied by longtime bandmates Alto Reed (saxophone, percussion, guitar and Chris Campbell (bass.)
Seger was all over the stage as he bounced from playing the piano on “Night Moves” and “Against the Wind.” He then played acoustic guitar on a few songs including a new song called “Detroit Made.” Listening to this song, it really culminates a career that has spanned well over 40 years. This is the epitome of what Seger is and embodies. The tune really sounds like classic Seger and may have been the highlight of the show for me, personally. With a new disc in tow called “Ride Out,” Seger played a few songs including the aforementioned and “Ride Out” and “Hey Gypsy (which he dedicated to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan.”
Seger said, “This was my mom’s favorite song and I would like to dedicate this to her.” He got behind the piano once again to play “We’ve Got Tonight.” He also said he believes it’s the first time in over 30 years that the band has played “Like a Rock” in Buffalo. This song got a big reception. Seger introduced “Beautiful Looser” as the song that really catapulted the band into new heights. I should mention that with each and every song Seger sang, his voice was dead on with no struggling to hit any notes. Vocally, he is very fluid and still has a good range after all of these years and that made the show more enjoyable for sure!
The gem of the band is Alto Reed, besides playing the biggest saxophone I have ever seen, he also had a job playing various instruments including acoustic guitar on “Against the Wind” and “Beautiful Loser.” Seger also took to the acoustic again on “The Fireman’s Talkin’ and his guitarist played a banjo.
I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a musician have as much fun as Seger was having in Buffalo Wednesday night. Seger couldn’t stop smiling, raising his arms and giving a lot of fist pounding to the crowd. He has always had an affinity with Buffalo and you can see why by the amount of people who keep showing up and leaving with smiles on their faces after he performs!
Bob Seger setlist:
Roll Me Away
Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You(Otis Clay cover)
The Fire Down Below
The Devil’s Right Hand (Steve Earle cover)
Mainstreet
Old Time Rock & Roll
The Fireman’s Talkin’
Come to Poppa
Her Strut
Like a Rock
Travelin’ Man
Beautiful Loser
All the Roads
Hey Gypsy
We’ve Got Tonight
Turn the Page
Detroit Made (John Hiatt cover)
Encore 1:
Against the Wind
Hollywood Nights
Encore 2:
Night Moves
Rock and Roll Never Forgets
J. Geils setlist:
Sno-cone
Hard Drivin’ Man
Give It to Me
Centerfold
Detroit Breakdown
Must of Got Lost
Love Stinks
Lookin’ for a Love (The Valentinos cover)
Whammer Jammer
Ain’t Nothin’ But a House Party (The Show Stoppers cover)
We would like to thank Stefani Olds from Punch Enterprises Inc. for the credentials to review the show.
