The 2010 Rock Hall Benefit Concert Pt. 2: Rock Royalty Return to Cary

May 5, 2010 | Story by: admin | Categories: Music

Story by Kristen Collosso, photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC — The Rock Hall Benefit Concert reprised its successful 2008 debut this past weekend. The two-day festival brought out musical legends including but not limited to Dave Mason (Traffic), Alan White (Yes), and headlining super-band Cheap Trick. The massive musical event ran from 3pm–10:30pm Saturday at Booth Amphitheatre.

The Georgia Satellites
The opening set featured southern rockers The Georgia Satellites. They remain as tight a band as ever, and fans gathered to hear them perform all of their biggest hits, including their 1986 top 10 single Keep Your Hands To Yourself and their popular rendition of The Swinging Blue Jean’s Hippy Hippy Shake.

The Atlanta Rhythm Section
Another southern rock legend in their own right, The Atlanta Rhythm Section played the second set of the afternoon. As the growing crowd sang along to all of their hits word-for-word, it was apparent that ARS maintain a large fan following! Their set included some of their most well-known songs, including Spooky, So Into You and Imaginary Lover.

White Sox All-Star Band
Next up was a set that I’ll admit I was pretty excited about. After their all-too-short set on Friday night, I was ready to see a full set from these guys. Like the previous night, their set was filled with strong covers of great classic rock songs. Luckily for us, it was longer than 3 songs this time!

Their set included, but was not limited to the following tunes: Hold The Line (Toto), Hold On (Yes), Can’t Get Enough (Bad Company), Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes), Lola (The Kinks), Back in Black (AC/DC), Under Pressure (Queen), I Am The Walrus (The Beatles), Instant Karma (The Plastic Ono Band), Tie Your Mother Down (Queen) and Dixie Chicken (Little Feat).

As the set list suggests, this set was anything but lacking in great songs. However, what made the set that much more enjoyable were the moments that made the crowd erupt in laughter. I couldn’t help but laugh at the end of Hold On (I was personally very excited to hear this song live) when the band came together in a giddy group hug at having performed it all the way through! Before the song, they’d mentioned how it wasn’t exactly the easiest song to learn. For the record, it sounded great!

There were also a few “oops” moments that frankly made me enjoy the set that much more. Some pre-recorded samples were used in the introduction of Owner of a Lonely Heart, and a hiccup in the sample caused the song to come to a complete halt. After a moment of regrouping themselves, the band restarted the song and got it back on track.

The sound sample demons returned right before the bridge of I Am The Walrus when the Yes sample played instead! It was very funny, and I loved watching the band laugh it off and jump right back into the song.

Lest I forget to mention the amazing musicianship this band displayed as well, I have to add that Tom Bowes’ vocals KILLED on Back in Black. Everyone was up on their feet cheering by the end of that song! Geoffrey Castle also wowed us all with his electric violin solos.

Dave Mason Band
Another familiar act to those who attended the free benefit concert in Raleigh the previous night, the Dave Mason Band was back and this time Dave was with them! They played a few covers, songs from Dave’s former band Traffic and some of their own original tunes.

Songs they played included: We Just Disagree (also covered by Dean Smith) and Baby, What You Want Me To Do? (Jimmy Reed), as well as songs from their new album 26 Letters – 12 Notes: Let Me Go and Good To You.

I feel the need to emphasize what great musicians Dave Mason and his band are. Not only are they entertaining performers and really good at what they do, but it’s clear how much they absolutely love their jobs. Believe it or not, not every band out there looks like they’re having fun when they’re performing.

These guys really do. Bassist Gerald Johnson bantered back and forth with the audience and made funny faces. “It’s our duty to make you shake your booty!” he said. And they certainly did!

Cheap Trick
Illinois rockers Cheap Trick topped off the night with an amazing set. Bun E. Carlos was not able to make the show that night, and was replaced by Rick Nielsen’s son, Daxx Nielsen. Daxx did a great job and received lots of support from the crowd. He seemed to have lots of fun, too!

Any fans who saw Cheap Trick open for Poison and Def Leppard at Walnut Creek last year would be very pleased by the set list. Not only was their set longer, but the song choices stretched into slightly more obscure selections. Robin Zander’s vocals remain as strong as ever and the energy from the stage was palpable.

Rick Nielsen is still crazy (and I mean that in the best way possible). He entertained the crowd nonstop with antics such as throwing massive handfuls of guitar picks into the crowd. He even tossed out a few LPs of their newest album, entitled The Latest. Near the end of the show, he approached the barricade to shake the hands of a line of people in the front row. When he came upon the security guard, he shook his hand too!

Cheap Trick’s set list

Way of the World
Tonight Tonight
California Man
Miracle
I Want You To Want Me
These Days
Baby Loves to Rock
Need Your Love
Miss Tomorrow
If You Want My Love
Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)
Sick Man of Europe
Closer, The Ballad of Burt and Linda
The Flame
Surrender
___________________
Encore:
Dream Police
Auf Wiedersehen
Goodnight

Proceeds of the Rock Hall Benefit Show

The proceeds from this show went to benefit the United Way as well as the music education program at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.