THE ROCK N’ ROLL CAPITOL OF THE WORLD got ROCKED last night with a sold-out concert at Jacobs Pavilion. John Fogerty, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Hearty Har (John Fogerty’s sons band.) made “CLEVELAND ROCKS” the understatement of the summer.
Since regaining the rights to the music he wrote for Creedence Clearwater Revival after a 50 year fight, John Fogerty smile, energy, and thankfulness was written all over his face as he jammed through the greatest hits of his career. He mentioned several times how thankful and happy he was to be able to play all of these songs “live” in concert again.
He was energetic, had his sons playing with him, and just was very obviously having the time of his life. In between songs, he told of how he was able to recover his beloved Rickenbacker guitar that he had given away in 1973. It was discovered by his wife in Ohio. She also was instrumental in him regaining the rights to his songs. He was like a young teenager running all over the stage and “running the bases” with his baseball bat during “Centerfield”. The crowd was singing along with him the entire show and were all “teenagers” again for the evening. John Fogerty also gave a special acknowledgement of the term “ROCK N’ ROLL” being invented in Cleveland and a shout out about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame residing here.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers took up the middle slot for the show. George Thorogood said that he had received “special dispensation” from the Cleveland Police for a brief probation so that he could play the show but he said that he planned on being arrested by the end of the evening. George Thorogood put on an amazing show with his incredible “bar band” The Destroyers that included the biggest hits of his career. There is no stopping this “tour de force” once he hits the stage. He did not stop except for a brief moment when he took the time to comb his hair. Still one of the best showmen ever to hit the stage.
Opening the show was John Fogerty’s sons band, Hearty Har. A good showing that drew quite the applause from the crowd most of whom were hearing their music for the first time. An energetic set with a great sound has them on their way to becoming a great band.
A beautiful night of ROCK N’ ROLL music in THE ROCK N’ ROLL CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!
