On Friday, June 30, J.D. Legends held another loud, open air, sandy beach party for everyone to come and get their cover tune and retro ‘80s fix in. Area favorite Mad Hatter warmed up an already quite humid stage readying the spotlights for Southern California veterans Sunset Strip brethren L.A. Guns. The history, lore and reputation they brought spoken,, official and what will never be publically known has followed them through several decades and lineup changes.
Franklin was the first stop on the 25 show leg of the 2023 tour celebrating new release Black Diamonds with the crowd getting a fresh and fueled group with a few new gems alongside modern era tunes classics and a few songs they couldn’t leave without playing.
Mad Hatter opened a set with a two-three decade arsenal playing Sammy Hagar to KISS and a wave of Rush lighting the outdoor stage. Around 10 tunes vibrated the speakers as the spotted High ‘n’ Dry Brits “Let it Rock.”
Fans got blasted through the decade to the late ‘80s and height of the Strip with every aqua-net sprayed fallen angel’s dream king, “Way Cool Jr.” From glam to guitar master Eddie, the Van Halen brothers couldn’t wait to feel love that night as the prog Candian trio rushed the lighted stage. Not to be outdone, the red rocker revved motors with a time-warp flashback to Plant, Page and # III.
Glams decadent neon narrative was given a double shot by one of its biggest billboard bands and brands starting with love’s bad name. They asked, you wanted the best? You got the best! A trip to the hottest rockin’ city below Canada.
The Sunset Strip veterans arrived, dressed for the weather, all smiles, draped in black, slammed the crowd with “Cannonball” velocity and decibels. It didn’t take long to go old school with early instant classic and MTV ride along “Electric Gypsy.”
Lewis took a moment and graciously signed a fans signed request to play Cry Little Sister saying he liked the song but they couldn’t play it. Though being legit Hollywood Vampires since the early ’90s made up for it.
From the first notes and songs, to show and stage presentation the band moved like time and decades didn’t matter moving like the MTV cameras were still on and social media was decades away. Alongside Lewis and Guns, Ace Von Johnson, Johnny Martin and Shawn Duncan radiated the showmanship and passion like the days of show flyers on poles never left.
The early crankers continued with another reason to remember their first full chamber load of slick tunes. The first shine of new Black Diamonds sparkled as Zeppelin got a modern day call back on “You Betray.”
Lewis said they did something daring, tongue flirting with cheek, on the new record and recorded a ‘Power Ballad’ called “Diamonds.” Cell phones may have replaces lighters, there were still a few faithful feeling the glow, lighting up again later for another Hollywood diamond From the early club days to summer 2023 it was always about the rumbling, roaring electric gypsy and high octane “Speed” demon experience. .
Lewis asked with a devilish grin, surveying the crowd,, if there were any perverts or drinkers ready for some “Sex Action.” Only the band knew who won majority.
Guns took over the stage as spotlights focused on him and his fingers. The show and set officially got extra humid, heated, Cocked and Loaded on “Never Enough” and “I Wanna Be Your Man.”
“Kiss My Love Goodbye” told the tailored Hollywood Vampiric story of all the women that dumped or screwed Lewis over, over the years. Maybe they, ‘do’ know what happened to Jayne?
Cell phones came alive and bright as the last shots were fired carrying the storied, starry-eyed tragic notes of “Jayne” ending with the goodnight rock star kiss of “Rip and Tear.” With one front stage lucky young lady getting selfies with Johnson’s freshly played guitar.
Words/Images by Mike Ritchie
L.A. Guns Website – http://www.lagunsmusic.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/L.A.GunsOfficial
Mad Hatter – www.facebook.com/followmadhatter
