The temps were approaching 100 degrees and the humidity was almost as high, but that didn’t stop thousands from making the trek to Treasure Island on Friday night to see John Fogerty and ZZ Top on the last stop of their “Blues and Bayous Tour”. It was the opportunity to see 2 hall of fame headliners in the same concert and people came from miles around (based on parking lot license plates) to attend. This was the first show in the new Treasure Island amphitheater and it was a great one. Changes include a new high def monitor in the back of the stage (joining 2 side monitors), better seating, new security (walk through metal detectors), along with previous years offers of great sight lines and great acoustics.
John Fogerty took the stage about 30 minutes late (to allow for the new security being a bit of a bottleneck resulting in lines and some late arrivals) and hit the ground running with the hits Travelin’ Band and Hey Tonight. As the night progressed, the hits kept coming and the audience loved it. His set featured his son Tyler on two songs – Good Golly Miss Molly and Psycho. Tyler wasn’t the only son with Fogerty on the tour, his son Shane played guitar and was featured during several songs. The sons were quite impressive and should carry on the Fogerty music tradition for years.
ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons joined Fogerty for a couple of songs including the new song “Holy Grail” and the oldie “Green River”. The interaction between Gibbons and Fogerty was especially magical on Green River and may have been the highlight of the concert. Fogerty also teamed up with Brad Paisley via a pre-recorded video for a salute to veterans, noting “we do a lousy job taking care of our veterans” and the audience cheered loudly in agreement.
Other highlights include a horn section from a California University who were part of a marching band that marched into the audience during a New Orleans segment, confetti and streamers shot into the crowd, Fogerty playing a baseball bat shaped guitar during the song Centerfield and the encore song “Proud Mary”. Overall a great set by John Fogerty, his band and guests.
Fogerty setlist
Travelin’ Band
Hey Tonight
Rock and Roll Girls
Who’ll Stop the Rain
Good Golly Miss Molly (Little Richard cover) (with Tyler Fogerty)
Psycho (The Sonics cover) (with Tyler Fogerty)
Up Around the Bend
Holy Grail (with Billy Gibbons)
Green River (with Billy Gibbons)
Love and War (Brad Paisley cover)
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (Gladys Knight & The Pips cover)
Keep On Chooglin’
Born on the Bayou
My Toot Toot (Rockin’ Sidney cover)
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (Hank Williams cover)
New Orleans (Gary “U.S.” Bonds cover) (with “When the Saints go Marching In” snippet)
Down on the Corner
Centerfield
The Old Man Down the Road
Fortunate Son
Encore:
Bad Moon Rising
Proud Mary
After a 45 minute intermission, the ZZ Top trio (guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard) took the stage opening with “Got Me under Pressure”. The trio has been playing together since 1970 and seemed to start out a little slowly. But hey picked up steam by the time they played “Waitin’ for the Bus” and “Jesus just left Chicago”. ZZ Top is a straight ahead, hard rocking band and has never been much for banter in between songs, or interaction with the audience. Friday night was no exception, song after song with little or no letup.
Billy Gibbons is still a great guitarist, despite approaching 70 and I love his deep throated, smoky vocals. The “Tres Hombres” are still as tight, loud and entertaining as ever playing nonstop hit after hit. Dressed in their usual attire – leather coats, hats and full beards (except for the beardless drummer Beard), they had to be extremely uncomfortable in the sweltering heat, but it wasn’t evident in their performance. They finished strong with “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs”, then came back for oldies “La Grange” and “Tush” for the encore.
It was a great double bill and I’m glad I got to experience it. Although my ears are still ringing this morning, but in a good way.
ZZ Top setlist
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You (Sam & Dave cover)
Waitin’ for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Pearl Necklace
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover)
Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Encore:
La Grange
Tush
