Angels Exist
Rock ain’t dead. That’s for fucking sure. Good rock shows ain’t
easy to come across these days. Too many bands relying on backing tapes and/or extra, off
stage musicians to recreate their music. Lip syncing should be made illegal. If
you pay to see a live rock show, you should get a totally live rock show. Hear
that Paul Stanley and Foreigner
Krüde always on the make to see a great rock show.
This time I made my way to Teaneck, NJ to see two legendary rock acts: Angel
and Richie Ranno’s Starz.
Both these acts got their start in the 1970s. Angel
was signed to Casablanca Records (KISS’ label). Starz was signed
to Capitol Records. Richie Ranno is the guitarist in Starz. These bands
were playing a style of pop infused hard rock that was way ahead of the times. Most
hard rock bands that made their nut in the 1980s count both of these bands as
major influences.
The crowd that showed up for this Friday night gig had to
wait about a year and a half to see this show. It booked before the pandemic.
Rescheduled a few times. And finally happened.
Richie Ranno came out and played solo for the first tune.
Then brought out his band to play some Starz classics. Cherry Baby and Subway Terror were
highlights of Richie’s show. His band played their guts out for over an hour.
Great show. Highly recommended if they play near you.
Angel was the headliner for the evening. Frank DiMino and
Punky Meadows are the Angel originals in the band now. They even had the
entire band dress in white like the old days. To put it mildly, THEY ROCKED. No
other way of describing their performance. Frank sings just as well as he did
in the 1970s. Punky played his heart out on guitar all night. The band was
tight and well rehearsed. Highlights from the Angel show for me were Don’t
Leave Me Lonely, The Fortune and The Tower. They played a few cool
newer songs with Under The Gun being my favorite. Again, check these
guys out if they play a show near you. Live rock music isn’t played much better
by anybody.
The venue they played at is called Debonair Music Hall. Great sound and lights. Also has some good chow for purchase. My whisky on the rocks cost $12. And a tap Blue Moon cost $8. Not bad for a Friday night in Bergen County, New Jersey. Free parking on the street too.
Rock music is my thang. Always will be. I’ve had the rock n roll bug up my ass since was 3 years old. Seeing two legendary acts play 10 minutes from my house was godhead. And home before midnight. Very cool (especially when you have to be at work the next morning). Cheers!
Dance your nights away….
KK
@kapn_krude