Artist: Y&T, Ron Keel

Venue:  02 Academy, Newcastle

Date: 30 October 2009  

Over the past few years one of the highlights of the year as a rock fan has been the Y&T UK shows and with Ron Keel as support for this years UK leg of the tour, this was one year I didn’t want to miss.

Only hours before the show we spoke to Dave Meniketti’s wife Jill who advised us that the scheduled interview with Dave was a no go because he had caught some sort of infection and had trouble with his voice, and he wasn’t speaking to anyone that day to reserve his voice for tonight’s show.  We still managed to catch up with rest off the guys from the band who had managed to dodge whatever Dave had caught, (Phil Kennemore put his immunity down to the medicinal virtues of one Jack Daniels ..."Kills All Known Germs Dead!, if it doesn’t it sure makes you forget what ailed you in the first place") .

So back to the show, opening up tonight was Ron Keel of Steeler and of course Keel fame and someone I hadn’t seen live since he toured with his band Keel in support of Dio many many moons ago, alright 23 years or so ago.  With the curfew in place at the Academy on a weekend it was an early start for Ron actually,  6.55pm, when only around a quarter of the nights attendees had arrived at the venue.  But as part of this quarter I witnessed Ron’s acoustic set and I must say the years haven’t taken their toll on his voice, even just armed with an acoustic guitar Keel gave us a 35 minute run down on the career of Ron Keel from Steeler to classic Keel and even a slice of new Keel.

With the Steeler classics like ‘Serenade’ and the classic Keel of ‘Because The Night’ and ‘Tears Of Fire’ given a superb stripped down feel and even the Fair Game track ‘The Time Of My Life’ was just made for acoustic guitar.

With just a three-day stint as part of Black Sabbath in the eighties Ron gave us a short burst of Heaven And Hell, 

which although acoustic went down really well. As did his version of ‘Shooting Star’, which Keel covered whilst with Iron Horse back in 2001, but it was the new Keel track that really showed that the man was back.  ‘Does Anybody Believe’ gave us a great insight into the new Keel album and sounded great and I for one can't wait for the album in January.  Tonight's performance just made me want to dig out my old Steeler and Keel albums and play them once more.

Now for what has to be one of the gutsiest frontman shows I’ve ever seen and one that I will never forget. There are professionals in this game and there are PROFESSIONALS and Dave Meniketti definitely falls into the latter.  What a star he was tonight, full kudos goes out to the man.

Having seen Y&T too numerous times to count over the years, the band have always given 110% and tonight Meniketti gave his all and more.  Even with the deterioration of his voice the band still put the show first before his health.

Speaking to the rest of the band before the show I already knew the set had had to be changed round to accommodate Dave, but this was still a set worthy of the band.  When the band opened up with ‘Hurricane’ the Newcastle crowd just erupted on mass, simply enjoying one of their favourite bands.

It was straight into ‘Don’t Wanna Lose You’ as Dave gave his all as always and even seemed humbled by the crowds reaction as they just cheered and gave the band the support that they have become accustomed to from the Newcastle crowds over the years.  I was just praying that Dave’s vocals would hold out for the rest of the show.

Y&T are one of those bands that no matter what set they put together, you're guaranteed hit song after hit song and tonight was no different as they carried on with ‘Hang Em High’ and ‘Dirty Girl’, with the Newcastle choir helping Dave along as best they could.

With the changes in the set list brought a few surprises first of those being the foot stomping ‘Barroom Boogie’.  But when the first few chords of ‘I Believe In You’ filled the venue I thought the roof was gonna come of the place as the crowd just erupted once more, and with Meniketti throwing out licks like it was trick or treat candy, I was just blown away.  

I was clear that Meniketti was really suffering but he continued to play on where many would have called it a night, as they ripped through ‘Midnight In Tokyo’ after which Meniketti once again apologised for his voice.

While his voice might have been broken, his guitar could still speak volumes and the band continued the set with ‘I’ll Cry For You’.

It was now time for Phil Kennemore’s party piece ‘Squeeze’.  As Kennemore got the crowd going with the familiar "F**K YOU PHIL!" chants of endearment before just ripping through the song which also saw a stunning solo from drummer Mike Vanderhule mid-way through, not before Kennemore made a hastily return for his pint of J.D. and Coke and returned to the wings.

After the solo Kennemore returned and introduced the band members in his own unique way with a "F**K YOU JOHN!", "F**K YOU MIKE!" and even "F**K YOU DAVE!".  Then with bass firmly back in hand he  finished of the songs in true outrageous Kennemore style. 

By the time the band had finished 'Lipstick & Leather’ it was clear that Meniketti’s voice was on its last legs and we got an impromptu John Nyman version of ‘Alcohol’ from the bands very first 'Yesterday and Today' album.  Despite John not knowing all the words this one went down rather well and I wouldn't be surprised if he, like Kennemore, gets a regular vocal spot on the tour.

There were shouts from the crowd for ' Rescue Me', but I had my doubts if this would be possible.  However the band still did it anyway, this time with the 1000 plus vocal assistance from the crowd as tonight we all became members of the band and sang out loud and proud.  This was truly one of the highlights of the night and one that left Meniketti emotionally moved by the applause after the song.

The band had to cut the set short but only by 20 minutes this might seem a lot to some but considering the band had already given us 1 hour 40 minutes more than some bands I’ve seen over the years, they rounded things off with ‘Forever’ again the Newcastle choir was in fine 

voice and backed Meniketti all the way once more.  

It was clear for all to see that Dave was moved tonight by the fans and the support they gave him.  I think that this was due to respect that they have for him and his band and when they come back next year, maybe with a new album, that they will again come out in numbers to support one of the best live bands in the world, I know I’ll be there. 

 

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