Great White Concert Review
A GREAT WHITE CHRISTMAS
Show Date: December 4, 2014
Location: Cabazon, California, U.S.A.
Venue: Vibe Night Club @ Morongo Casino
Reviewer: Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen
Band Websites: www.greatwhiterocks.com – www.facebook.com/GreatWhiteOfficial
I was extremely fortunate to have been invited to the 96.7 KCAL Christmas Party at the Vibe Nightclub/Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California.
After just about two hours on the road, I arrived at the casino and made my way straight to Great White‘s dressing room to find the band huddled, almost football style, running through a quick medley of vocals for their set. Drummer Audie Debrow was seated on the couch next to them, playing the drum beats alongside them on the table. It didn’t take long to figure out that this was exactly where I was supposed to be!
Not only did I receive VIP treatment for the show, I also experienced two amazing and unique Great White sets from right in front of the stage! KCAL had scheduled the band to perform twp 45-minute sets that night, the first at 8:00pm and another followed at 9:15pm, with a thirty-minute break in between. As far as I know, this ‘double header’ was a first for the band, and for the fans lucky enough to be privy for both.
After the KCAL DJ’s got the crowd all worked up with raffles and giveaways, including a five thousand dollar cash prize, Great White started out the show with “House Of Broken Love”, which is definitely one of my favorite Great White songs.
Every member of the band is an exceptional player and is as physically fit and musically primed as ever. The entire band was full of energy, with all the front members rotating throughout the stage, engaging with fans, and giving each one of them a unique and individual experience of their own.
Terry Ilous is known for taking that personal interaction to the next level by ‘borrowing’ fan’s cameras to do videos of the band, the crowd, and himself. I witnessed him do this at least twice during the night, and I guarantee that those fans are going to have a video and memories to last a lifetime.
Personal highlights (from the combined sets) include “Lady Red Light”, “Face The Day”, “Save Your Love”, “On Your Knees”, and of course the classic that we all know and love, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”.
For the last song of the night, KCAL staff, fans, and Mrs. Santa ‘hotties’ filled the stage for a colorful and fun performance of “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”. I loved seeing Terry Ilous pass the microphone around the stage and found it interesting as to who knew the lyrics and who didn’t. (Part of me wanted to be onstage belting out a line myself!)
The venue and crowd definitely displayed a Christmas ‘vibe’ (no pun intended) and it was nice to see so much Christmas spirit and support for the legendary rock band Great White! The scantily clad ‘Clause’s’ seemed to lift the spirit of the night as well.
I’d like to give special mention to Michael Lardie, who was on triple duty during the performance, nailing down the guitar, keyboard, and harmonica throughout the show.
All in all, it was an amazing dual performance and special night for all. I am happy to have been part of it. Special thanks go out to Terry Ilous, Al Bane, and Catherine Noonan for making this special night happen.
Great White’s First Set:
Shot In The Dark
Lady Red Light
Face The Day
On Your Knees
House Of Broken Love
Save Your Love
Desert Moon
Great White’s Second Set:
(I’ve Got) Something For You
The Angel Song
Mista Bone
Big Goodbye
Can’t Shake It
Rock Me
Once Bitten Twice Shy