Wreck The Halls With Bret Michaels, Jack Russell's Great White, Warrant, RATT, Dokken, & L.A

The 80's invasion rolled into The Spokane Arena last night December 3, 2016, with Wreck The Halls featuring Bret Michaels, Jack Russell's Great White, Warrant, Dokken, RATT and LA Guns what a great night of music. If you lived in one of the best decades of rock n roll last night's concert was a great way to relive those years if only for a little while. Fans were dressed in all their 80's gear and ready to party.

The show started at 3:30, people were wondering why the show was starting so early in the day but to give ample time for all 6 bands performing the start time was necessary. As it was LA Guns opened the show with a short 30- minute set I, unfortunately, missed. I think some were worried that it would make for a long night but if you are a true 80's rocker that's how it's done.

L.A. Guns was started in 1983 by Tracii Guns, there has been a lot of transitioning of the band members even Axl Rose from Guns & Roses started in L.A. Guns. This was in no way the original line- up as you could imagine with so many member changes throughout the years but it really didn't matter.

Fans dressing 80's style for the concert, I call them Vince Neil, Dee Snider, and Axl Rose.

Jack Russell's Great White still sounds as good as he always did even with all the problems that plagued this band. With Jack Russell's health and alcohol problems, and the death of his good friend Jani Lane in 2011, propelled Jack to clean up and get sober. Then the deadly 2003 nightclub fire during a Great White concert and the formation of 2 separate Great White bands, Jack can still rock the stage like a pro. Jack Russell's Great White band members include Jack Russell (Vocals),Tony Montana (Guitar), Robby Lochner (Guitar), Dan McNay (Bass), and Dicki Fliszar (Drums). Great White was and still is a favorite, their songs bring back many great memories. I have met Jack Russell and he is a real cool cat.

Jack Russell's Great White (Rock Me)

Spokane is Warrant's last show of the year. I attended a Warrant concert in the late 80's but hadn't since the departure of Jani Lane until last night. After that show in the 80's some of the members from Warrant visited a local hot spot called Gatsby's where I got to meet the late great Jani Lane. I spoke to him briefly as I recall about our first names being similar, as a kid I was called Jani, very cool guy and some great memories. I really didn't know how I would feel with the new singer (Robert Mason) but the whole band really pulled it off, the songs were all close to the originals, but I will always have a soft spot for the very talented music man Jani Lane. Current members: Joey Allen, Jerry Dixon, Robert Mason, Steven Sweet & Erik Turner.

Warrant (Heaven)

Warrant

The first time I ever saw Dokken perform was in 1988 with The Monsters Of Rock Tour, they really blew me away. I was really pumped to see them again after all these years. I was a little disappointed some of the songs just didn't sound the same to me, with time passed and member change is to be expected, the show was still amazing. Current members Don Dokken (Vocals), "Wild" Mick Brown (Drums), Jon Levin (Guitars), Chris McCarvill (Bass).

Dokken

RATT took the stage also with a new line-up of members, without Stephen Pearcy on lead vocals I was a little skeptical but I was pleasantly surprised. I had met Bobby Blotzer and Robin Crosby after a RATT concert, of course, you guessed it in the 80's and I ended up hanging out with them for a little while, sadly Robin Crosby has since passed in 2002 due to a drug overdose. During RATT's performance an eager fan jumped on stage and had to be escorted off, the guys were all good sports about the incident and even said it was planned. During a pause in RATT's set Bobby Blotzer came out from behind the drum set to talk a little history of his time with the band, he had mentioned that he had been to Spokane many times as he had a girl friend that once lived in town. After the Spokane concert backstage, Bobby Blotzer gave the guys all Platinum Albums for Christmas. RATT's current members Bobby Blotzer, (also played in Dokken for a spell), Josh Alan, Stacey Blades, Mitch Perry & Brad Lang.

RATT (Lay it Down)

Bobby Blotzer and Robin Crosby Autographed bar napkin.

Bret Michaels took the stage with so much energy you would never know that he had some serious health issues a few years back. Bret has been battling Diabetes since he was 5 years old and he is very open about his condition. I have also met Bret Michaels and all of the original members of Poison years ago. Standing in line at a record store the band made a few comments to me and my niece about our bust size, it was a comical encounter and a great memory that we still joke about to this day. I have also met members of Bret's current band drummer Mike Bailey and keyboardist Robby Wild last year after a show in December 2014. In 2012 Bret teamed up with Petsmart for the Pet's Rock Collection, who doesn't appreciate a rock star that is a true animal lover. Bret is also very supportive of our veterans and at every Bret Michaels concert, he either voices his appreciation and sometimes even has some local vets join him on stage. To close out the show Bret called his daughters Raine and Jorja onstage to help him sing the last song of the night, how cool is that? Bret, you rock my world.

Bret Michaels (Look What The Cat Dragged In) (Sweet Home Alabama)

Bret Michaels with his daughters Raine & Jorja.

Poison Autograph 1987 with Bret Michael, CC Devil, Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall.

I have some fond memories of the 80's and this concert was a great way to go back to a time that was much simpler. I enjoyed seeing all of my favorite bands from those days even with all the member changes the show was amazing. There were a few problems as with any concert but you just have to go with the flow and sit back and enjoy the ride. With 8 hours of rock n roll, you can't go wrong. See you all at the next rocking concert, until then take it easy and keep it real.**Peace**js