On Friday, July 14 J.D. Legends hosted the return of rock n’ roll royalty as Lita Ford once again graced the stage. From the early days as a runaway to modern day mayhem, Ford commanded the stage and crowd leaving burning stiletto footprints in her path. The hot summer evening was no exception, slamming out rockers, classics, crowd favorites and a few MTV gems from the ‘80s and ’90s with one or two cherries from the beginning. She’s a time tested, defiant rebel with immortal R&R blood flowing with a possessed performing spirit and badass reputation that still follows. Guitarist Patrick Kennison, bassist Marten Andersson and drummer Bobby Rock create the wall of sound complimenting Ford’s fury.
Support came from the highway-burning gypsy spirit of Jasmine Cain. A lady that’s earned her accolades playing stages nationwide. Exuding gothic charm with a witchy wardrobe strapping a well-played, road worn bass, Cain played a set of heavy covers, originals and a few tunes celebrating the women of rock.
The South Dakota native’s been busy all year touring the country, bringing her ‘freight train’ show to new, familiar and veteran eyes and ears and August is filing up fast. Seven records sit in her arsenal while White Noise was her focus that night with a selection or two from most recent effort Seven, surrounded by a collection of personal favorites.
The trio opened with Texas sized style honoring The “Cowboys From Hell” with a black tooth grin. The Lone Star state raised horns to the Sunset Strip Crüe and a loud “Live Wire” listening party. Honoring Heart, the Wilson sisters were still getting payback on sleazy promoters and yellow/click-bait “Barracuda(s).”
The jangling, glistening metal of Cain’s first original “Highway Prophet” started a series of powerful performances with road stories lived, survived, and told. It was still early evening but the haunting jam of “Nightingale” shouted out her fairytale, singing loud and proud. July heat brought out “Coming in Hot” leaving an impression and sweating bullets.
Title track of 2016’s “White Noise” whaled with twisting guitar notes, like long-gone spirits trying to communicate through energy and electricity. For those in the crowd around in the mid-90s, “1995” was a great year. With Cain being a late ‘70s summer child, at least she lived the ‘80s and ’90s and didn’t have to Google or YouTube it.
They played a hairy misanthropic tribute to the Prince of Darkness, howling in the summer shadows. The Vaseline gypsies and silicone souls got some “Monkey Business” done while the tools of the trade came in dark, moody and “Sober.”
They gave a little extra sugar with the Hysteria on “Love Bites,” surprise, surprise. Cain gave Seven some more love praising the mean green, root of all evil. She channeled the powerhouse emotional force of Amy Lee “Uninvited.” Arguably the heaviest song played on the open air Legends stage started with Cain signaling for a pit, causing concerned eyes on “Psycho Social.” The heavy guttural growl of “Burn Out” put a red melted boot-stamp to the show saying goodnight to the faithful Cainaanites.
The gang took the stage signaling Ford’s impending presence. She emerged, blood red slinger in hand as 1984 gave off the first lick and stringed kiss with a grinning Ford singing “Gotta Let Go.”
Dangerous Curves reared its dark sexy side loud, deadly and “Larger than Life” as cell phones filmed and cameras clicked away. For anyone looking for a black leather boot wash to the face and liking it the early ‘90s called up “Hungry.” The Pinball Wizard was an original Diva though Ford could definitely lay claim to the “Bitch is Back.”
For those with the leather, spandex and hair that remembered, “Back to the Cave” jammed out a nice 15 minute groove session conjuring HeadBangers Ball midnight memories. The true classic of the set “Cherry Bomb” was sung loud by ages young, very young, older and old-school, including those born multiple decades after its live debut.
Ford acknowledged their last visit, saying they play for festival crowds but sometimes the most exciting shows were these with the truly dedicated, loud fans, really into it. She broke out the double neck giving the Godfather of Shock Rock some lacerated love saying “Only Women Bleed.”
The band took a breather as skins-blaster Rock pounded the drums like a loud tribal war cry summoning including some drum head, head banging and thudding. In the heat it was a miracle and product of good conditioning he didn’t pass out.
The double neck also signaled the closing classic favorites including the time tested duet with the Godfather of Metal. Maybe someday they’ll be reunited on stage together. It was time to say goodnight with one more kiss. The party came a night early this time, but it wasn’t no big thang.
The decadence of the ‘80s, whatever moniker you give it, from the MTV kids and beyond still holds its ground stretching ahead into the ears and brains of the millennial and social media generation influencing and infecting YouTubers, influencers, Tweeters and TikTokers. No laptop can ever match a guitar.
Ford was given a few gifts during the show including a unique bouquet of blue roses. Though the night ended with a heart melting genuine feel good moment as a young lady finally got to hand Ford a handmade necklace she’d held up the whole show. Ford smiled, took the necklace, with a fist bump thank you as the young fan immediately turned bursting into tears, hugging her dad. It was a modern day Beatlemania-like moment as a lifetime concert memory was made.
Images/Words – Mike Ritchie
Lita Ford – http://litafordonline.com
Jasmine Cain – https://jasminecain.com
