{"id":48215,"date":"2015-02-12T13:11:35","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T18:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=48215"},"modified":"2015-03-16T20:25:46","modified_gmt":"2015-03-17T01:25:46","slug":"uli-jon-roth-concert-review-photo-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2015\/uli-jon-roth-concert-review-photo-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"Uli Jon Roth’s Xtreme Guitar Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Feb. 11, 2015 at The Scene K.C. Rock Bar in Kansas City, MO. —<\/h3>\n

\"Uli<\/p>\n

Following the release of his latest two-CD studio album, Scorpions Revisited<\/em>, Uli Jon Roth arrived in Kansas City to perform a career-spanning set of music.<\/p>\n

With his last appearance in Kansas City occurring just over 30 years ago, Roth was greeted by mostly middle-aged rockers who seemed to be true to holding on to the memories of the glory days of Hard Rock. Fans on hand had their memorabilia ready to be signed. And they were eager to see and hear the legend. <\/p>\n

While most know that Uli Jon Roth replaced Michael Schenker in the Scorpions in the early \u201870s, his career with the band lasted from 1973 \u2013 1978 and produced some of the band\u2019s best material. After leaving the Scorpions, Roth went on to have a successful solo career. But he never has garnered the recognition that those with lesser talent have heaped upon themselves. <\/p>\n

Roth\u2019s touring lineup includes drummer Kofi Baker (son of legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker), guitarist David Klosinski, keyboardist Allesandro Bertoni, bassist Elliot Rubinson (Dean Guitar CEO) and John West on vocals.<\/p>\n

To be honest, the familiarity with Roth\u2019s body of recorded material wasn\u2019t the driving force to see him live. It is his legendary status as a musician, who obviously influenced the guitar players of the late \u201870s and beyond. <\/p>\n

With that said, the Scorpions\u2019 songs that were performed were amazing. John West\u2019s voice was powerful and emotive, and just like Klause Meine, he nailed all the notes with relative ease. Roth is the first-ever guitarist who could be referred to as a Hippie-shredder. While his body physically is on stage and his hands create magic with individual notes and rhythmic progressions, his eyes are closed, as if he seems to be in deep spiritual trance \u2013 attaining the inspiration and giving it out to the audience. His touring band was rock solid. Guitarist David Klosinski provided backing rhythms and performed the second harmony solos and riffs alongside Roth. Kofi Baker, who had injured his leg before the show, pulled himself together and rocked the drum kit. Support from keyboardist Allesandro Bertoni and bassist Elliot Rubinson iced the cake.<\/p>\n

Visit Uli Jon Roth online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/p>\n

Black Knights Rising, while at first glance, appears to be another version of the tribute band Dio\u2019s Disciples, actually pays homage to two of Hard Rock and Metal\u2019s legendary artists: Ritchie Blackmore and the late Ronnie James Dio. The music covered by the band included songs from Black Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow and Deep Purple.<\/p>\n

Black Knights Rising originally started out as a three-piece outfit, which was put together in 2013 by Craig Goldy to perform sets at the NAMM convention. <\/p>\n

The version of Black Knights Rising that took the stage tonight included Craig Goldy (Dio, Giuffria, Rough Cutt), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell), Elliot Rubinson ((Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker Group), Tim \u201cRipper\u201d Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen). And it also featured vocalist John West performing a vocal duet with Owens on the Deep Purple classic \u201cBurn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BlackHand down, the star of this performance was Tim \u201cRipper\u201d Owens, who made it clear that this performance was for Ronnie. While we all know him as \u201cthat guy who replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest,\u201d his voice harnessed the emotional delivery of Dio and was damn close in many respects to the presentation. He covered Ian Gillen as well on \u201cHighway Star\u201d and \u201cBurn,\u201d and I reckon his version was more Dio than Coverdale on the song “Mistreated.” Starting with the Rainbow cover \u201cDeath Alley Driver,\u201d which was originally sung by Joe Lynn Turner, got the ball rolling.<\/p>\n

Vinny Appice was rock solid behind the kit. He showcased his talents with the obligatory drum solo. He utilized a minimal DDrum kit (kick, tom, snare, high hat, cymbals) but used all facets to rock the hell out of it. It was apparent that these \u201crock stars\u201d were humble and very down to earth. Goldie did his best Blackmore, Iommi and Campbell interpretations and was in total command his electric onslaught, ESP axe in hand. Elliot Rubinson split duties on bass with Roth\u2019s band and Black Knight Rising, and, again, he was solid and thunderous.<\/p>\n

Visit Black Knights Rising here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"OldCanadian rockers Old James was the opening band. Band members Brian Stephenson (vocals, guitar) Andy Thompson (guitar), Jon Ublansky (bass) and Chris Stephenson (drums, backing vocals) performed a brief set to warm up the crowd. You can find Old James online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The musicians that graced the stage this evening featured musicians, who, at one time or another, have performed and recorded with Hard Rock\u2019s most notable bands including: Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, DIO, MSG, Rainbow, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Scorpions, UFO and Yngwie Malmsteen. <\/p>\n

Uli Jon Roth Concert Photo Gallery<\/h3>\n
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