Saturday, January 15th droves of fans flocked to Versailles, Ohio and the BMI Speedway to witness two of glam metal’s biggest names. The icy chill didn’t stop anyone from showing up, selling the venue out, filling the inner sanctum to shoulder to shoulder space. Two band’s that filled arena’s in their combined era’s showed they just couldn’t get enough of the live experience. Firehouse emerged on the tale end of the era igniting the early ‘90s and beyond and Winger who came to MTV limelight in the late ‘80s. The room filled to upper level bleachers proved fans of all ages remembered and cherished the heavy sounds created by the big haired groups and the hits MTV brought to their living-rooms. Though the spandex was presumably hung up permanently and a few guys had a little less hair, some by choice.
As any kid, teen, or adult of the ‘80s knows glam never really went away. It just got temporarily pushed out of the way by grunge though fans continue to prove year to year they still wanted their MTV even if a number of them weren’t around recording Headbangers Ball on 2-6 hour VHS. The groups that inspired handheld butane ignition in venues and arenas around the world still delivered the dedicated goods in 2022.
Firehouse had several ballads on the charts and adrenaline fueled rockers propelling them to rock star status in the ’90s. Though time wasn’t an illusion, the evening proved music is immortal and eternal regardless who plays it. Though anyone there could’ve closed their eyes and time warped. They played like no time had passed and cassettes were still on sale. They were always a bit heavier than the era’s average guitar shredding longhair, with a lot less makeup.
It was a return appearance as they’d played BMI a few years ago bringing everyone back to start 2022. They stuck with what brought them to the game, double platinum and gold. The first two albums were strongly performed and celebrated giving the early evening a vintage, nostalgic vibe.
The lovely ravenous beauty on the debut cover lit the match launching into “Overnight Sensation.” it was bye-bye, baby, bye-bye with the Dear John themed “All She Wrote” and the rattlesnake slither of “Shake and Tumble.” Keys hit on the nights first ballad reaching for the sky “When I look into your Eyes” and long-time wedding staple “Love of a Lifetime.”
They concluded with ironically their two heaviest songs with acoustic beginnings. MTV introduction “Don’t Treat Me Bad,” brought back the symbolic wild hair and mullets as the older ‘kids’ sang along to every word. The adrenaline fueled extreme sports feel of sophomore opener “Reach for the Sky” ended the nights first serving..
Winger emerged in the late ‘80s, had their time in the spotlight, became the butt of many jokes for several underserved, animated reasons, but continued making music during glams uncool/closet period, played a well represented set, celebrating recent, modern music while keeping fans happy with the classics.
New music was on the horizon, Kip said, as they played tunes from all albums including lesser known records. Whether you came for MTV gems or prided yourself a long-time diehard, they played almost everything the crowd wanted.
The band that would’ve been dubbed Sahara celebrated an all-original lineup and as Kip said, they still liked each other. Most recent Better Days Comin’ represented first with “Midnight Driver of a Love Machine.” They pulled teeth early wrestling the rabid-eyed “Junkyard Dog,” giving everyone their first taste of the vintage days on “Easy Come Easy Go.”
“Hungry” an encore on the In The Heart of the Young Tour, got an ’88 call back. They went “Down Incognito” before the whole scene took a KO punch for a while. Kip talked band history and did some impromptu comedy with a fan onstage.
It was a nice selection of library tunes, giving new fans and those who didn’t keep up, new listening material to check out. Self-Titled deep cut “Time to Surrender” was welcomed by the hardcore. While “Who’s the One,” and “Rainbow in the Rose” provided more vintage tunes fans could go back and re-listen to.. The keyboard got busy on “Miles Away” while “Rat Race” gave a modern musical voice.
The keyboard riff everyone waited to hear started “Headed for a Heartbreak,” with the sexy swagger of “Can’t get Enuff.” a video still remembered fondly.
The final four of the night began with the somewhat telling “Deal with the Devil. Though historically glam wasn’t as associated with devilish doings or blood contracts as extreme metal. Time had passed, history had happened, she’s wasn’t 17 anymore but “Madalaine” was still too tough to tame. Reb Beach screamed out a solo prepping everyone for what many had come for, slamming and shredding into the intro and forbidden fruit of “Seventeen.”
The styles and wardrobe of the era might have changed but the music created during the time will continue to play in the hearts of the forever young.
Images by Mike Ritchie
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