Supporting act: NIGHT RANGER, JEFFERSON STARSHIP
Venue: Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023
Fans of all ages gathered at the Ruoff Music Center in anticipation of the iconic Bret Michaels' and his PARTI-GRAS TOUR.
BRET MICHEALS at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Jefferson Starship opened the show with “Find Your Way Back” and continued with an impressive back catalog of tunes from the 1980s, including hits like "Sara," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "We Built This City." This supergroup's roots trace back to the iconic band Jefferson Airplane, one of the most influential groups of all time. As a tribute to their entire evolution, the performance also featured favorite classics like "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love."
JEFFERSON STARSHIP at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
The “original-original” David Freiberg, who had been a part of all iterations of the band - Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship/Jefferson Starship (again!) - commanded the stage with his extraordinary presence, giving a tremendous rendition of "Jane." Cathy Richardson took the place of the great Grace Slick as Lead singer and delivered a stellar vocal performance.
The second band up, Night Ranger, consisting of Jack Blades (bass and vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums and vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars), joyfully celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Keri Kelly and Brad Gillis of NIGHT RANGER at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Blades and his fellow bandmates delivered an impressive setlist. Enthusiastic audiences were treated to a selection of Night Ranger's greatest hits, including "Night Ranger," "When You Close Your Eyes," "Sister Christian," and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me." Adding a special touch to the performance, the band even treated the crowd to a few songs from Damn Yankees, such as "Coming of Age" and "High Enough." The night was a fantastic tribute to Night Ranger's incredible four-decade journey, leaving fans delighted with unforgettable memories of their music.
Jack Blades of NIGHT RANGER at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Brad Gillis of NIGHT RANGER at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Bret Michaels kicked off his part of the show with a high-energy performance of "Talk Dirty to Me," He wasted no time in engaging the audience, reminding us why he's a rock legend. The crowd sang along passionately, creating an infectious energy that spread throughout the venue.
BRET MICHEALS at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
One of the standout moments of the night was when Bret performed "Every Rose Has Its Thorn". As the timeless ballad filled the air, the venue lit up with cellphone lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The emotion in Bret's voice resonated with the audience, showcasing his ability to connect with his fans on a deep, personal level.
MARK MACGRATH at Ruoff Music Center 07-30-2023 ©JohnGeiger
Michaels thrilled the audience when he introduced his close friend, Mark McGrath, the lead singer of Sugar Ray. McGrath's presence on stage was met with excitement, and he continued captivating the crowd with some a couple of his chart-topping hits, "Every Morning" and "Fly." McGrath's dynamic vocals and infectious energy filled the air, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained and engaged.
Michaels returned and got the crowd to light up the venue with their cell phones again to welcome a group of US military veterans onto the stage to honor veterans while he played “Something to believe in”.
Michaels’s explosive encore of "Nothin' But a Good Time" further ignited the crowd. He then closed the set by inviting all three bands to join him on stage for a spirited rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," leaving the audience on an absolute high.
Bret Michaels continues to prove why he remains an enduring rock icon, delivering a show that will be remembered by fans for years to come.
2023 PARTI-GRAS TOUR
A CELEBRATION OF FANS, BANDS, MUSIC, AND AN ALL-KILLER, NO-FILLER NIGHT OF HIT SONGS
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS NIGHT RANGER AND JEFFERSON STARSHIP, SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY STEVE AUGERI & MARK MCGRATH PLUS SURPRISE GUESTS & CELEBRITY FRIENDS
-Bret Michaels
Talk Dirty to Me (Poison song)
Ride the Wind (Poison song)
-Mark McGrath
Every Morning (Sugar Ray cover)
-Bret Michaels
Your Mama Don't Dance (Loggins & Messina cover)
-Steve Augeri
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Journey cover)
-Bret Michaels
Something to Believe In (Poison song)
-Mark McGrath
Fly (Sugar Ray cover)
-Bret Michaels
Unskinny Bop (Poison song)
-Steve Augeri
Don't Stop Believin' (Journey cover)
Any Way You Want It (Journey cover)
-Bret Michaels
Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Poison song)
Nothin' but a Good Time (Poison song)
-All Artists
Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)