It was an 80’s invasions this past Saturday night at the majestic Riviera Theater. Jack Russell and Kip Winger’s bands ruled the MTV heydays with their respective bands Great White and Winger. Jack Russell has bene fronting his own band called Jack Russell’s Great White for over a decade. While Winger is on hiatus, Kip decided to have fun and do some solo dates.
Opening up the show promptly at 8pm, Kip Winger took a few minutes to properly tune his trusty 12 string acoustic. Once that was situated, he treated the crowd to a one of Winger’s most memorable tracks in “Easy Come, Easy Go.” This show was truly a mix of music and some jokes as Winger provided some tongue and cheek in between tracks. He was joking about changing the lyrics to another one of Winger’s classic hits in “Seventeen.” He said now its.. “she is only 53, with hot flashes like you never seen.” This drew a lot of laughter. He talked about his love of 60’s and 70’s music and especially Uriah Heep. If you questioned his vocal chops, then you should have heard him do “Headed for a Heartbreak,” as he held the note before the solo kicks in. This was just like he did back in the day and maybe with more power today. Even though he is the primary bass player for Winger, Kip can hold his own on acoustic just as well as anyone. I was super impressed with his ability’s to play the 12 string with ease. This was a solid 45 minute set provided by Winger.
The headliners took the stage at 9:05pm and kicked into my favorite Great White track ion “Call it Rock and Roll. Its been a little over 8 years since the band has played the WNY area. Now due to multiple back surgeries and other physical ailments, Jack Russell doesn’t move very well at all. In fact, halfway during the 3rd track “Lady Red Light” he needed a chair to sit. This by no means took away from his or the bands performance as they cranked out hit after hit for about an hour and half. You almost forgot what an amazing catalog Great White has until you hear the songs played live. Accompanying Russell was former Great White musician Tony Montana on guitar, Dan McNay on bass, Robby Lochner on guitar and Steven Jude Mills filling in on drums. Even though Russell stated he just got over Covid, you didn’t really hear it much in his voice. He still continue to deliver vocally and one of the highlights of the even was “Can’t Shake It.” He did the scream at the end of the track and he still shows that even though physically he may lack, but he can still sing as great as ever. Another important note to mention is that the band didn’t pre record anything. Montana handled the harmonica parts for “Rock Me” and also the keyboards during “Once Bitten Twice Shy.” The band played terrifically and even with Mills filling in, the band didn’t miss a beat.
The cozy confines of the Riviera Theater was the perfect antidote for a cold WNY Saturday night. Even though the temperate outside was very cold as stated, both artists gave you a very hot memorable performance that left some of us still wishing for yesteryear.
Jack Russell’s Great White setlist:
Call it Rock ‘n’ Roll
Heart the Hunter
Lady Red Light
Mista Bone (With “Come Together” by the Beatles interlude)
Save Your Love
On Your Knees (With “Achilles Last Stand” by Led Zeppelin interlude)
Desert Moon
Rock and Roll Hoochie, Coo (Rick Derringer cover -Tony Montana on vocals)
All Over Now
Rollin’ Stoned
Face the Day (The Angels cover)
Rock Me
Can’t Shake It (The Angels cover)
Once Bitten Twice Shy (Ian Hunter cover)
Kip Winger setlist:
Easy Come Easy Go (Winger song)
Who’s the One (Winger song)
Can’t Get Enough (Winger song)
Hungry (Winger song)
Miles Away (Winger song)
Free
Headed for a Heartbreak (Winger song)
Down Incognito (Winger song)
Madeline (Winger song)
Seventeen (Winger song)
We would like to thank David Fillenwarth for the credentials to review the show.
