Michigan music fans welcomed The Motor City Madman back to his home state Tuesday at Van Andel Arena, with REO Speedwagon and Styx in tow. The most unusual twist: Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles opened the show, earning a fine reception. Local Spins captured it all in photos by Tony Norkus.
Getting the Party Started: Grand Rapids songwriting icon Ralston Bowles, left, and Michael Crittenden kicked off Tuesday’s big arena show starring Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx. (Photo/Anthony Norkus Photography)
The high-volume roar of the Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express embarked Tuesday on a quieter, more thoughtful, Americana-hued note.
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Singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, aka the ever-popular godfather of Grand Rapids’ acoustic music scene, took the stage at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday night with an assist from Troll for Trout frontman Michael Crittenden as many fans took their seats, awaiting the full-blast rock-guitar wallop of Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx.
The West Michigan singer’s brief set featured three songs: “Everybody But You,” “James Dean” and the ever-changing crowd favorite, “I, Love, You,” which Bowles often adapts on the fly for different audiences.
Ralston Bowles
And as unlikely as Bowles’ opening set for a hard-rock icon might seem, those in the crowd who paid attention “were into the music and he definitely won the crowd over,” according to one Grand Rapids concertgoer.
“It went great. It was a nice showing and all of the sound guys and roadie guys were standing there and paid attention. I couldn’t believe how many photographers were down front,” Bowles told Local Spins after the show, which drew about 8,000 people.
“There was a lot of good love coming out from the audience and a lot of people came earlier than they would have for the show. … I had a great time working with Michael Crittenden and sharing the stage with him and being able to do that with another guy who’s well-deserving of that.”
Not only that, but Bowles and Crittenden were assigned their own dressing room with food and beverages and met REO singer Kevin Cronin, Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw, and of course, The Nuge himself. “He wanted a copy of my CD, so he took that,” said Bowles, who presented Nugent with a copy of his first album, “Carwreck Conversations.” “Tommy (Shaw) was very gracious and communicated with us even before.”
Of course, the evening’s star attractions earned the lion’s share of audience love with Styx, REO and Nugent regaling the arena crowd with their hit-laden catalog of songs. As photographer Tony Norkus put it, “The crowd was rocking to all three bands equally and (REO and Styx) didn’t feel like openers at all.”
And as usual, Norkus’ photos tell the story …
THE LOCAL SPINS MIDWEST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL EXPRESS PHOTO GALLERY (MAY 14)
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Road Warriors: Kevin Cronin led REO Speedwagon's attack. (Photo/Anthony Norkus Photography)
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
Well done, Ralston and Michael. We in West Michigan salute you!
I sat through Styx and REO for my wife. Ted, for my son. Ted was highly entertaining, as always. I hadn’t seen for over ten years. I had no idea venison and bear meat were so… caloric.