Joan Jett and the Blackhearts opened with a 15-song set that mixed Runaways favorites, notable covers, and signature hits, engaging the Madison Square Garden crowd. Jett included stories of her early New York days and closed with "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "Bad Reputation," receiving a warm response. Billy Idol followed with a band led by longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, beginning with the new single "Still Dancing." The show featured many classics, a standout Stevens guitar solo, and a surprising cover of The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" highlighted by backup singer Jessica Childress's powerful vocals.
Not only is Billy Idol still dancing, he's still rocking - and three months' shy of his 70th birthday, the music icon hasn't lost a step, as he proved with a rousing show on Wednesday night (August 20th) at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Along with a stellar support set by fellow rock legend Joan Jett, it was one helluva double bill.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts kicked off the evening with a 15-song set, including a couple tunes by her groundbreaking '70s band The Runaways ("Cherry Bomb" and "You Drive Me Wild"). Other standouts included her covers of The Replacements' "Androgynous," Sly & the Family Stone's "Everyday People," and Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," as well as a couple tunes that started out as covers but have since become signature songs for Jett: "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll."
It was then time for the main event, as Billy Idol's backing band took the stage, led by longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. A moment later, the veteran punk rocker appeared to a huge ovation, launching the set with "Still Dancing," the lead single from his new album, Dream Into It. The early part of the show was highlighted by classics like "Cradle of Love," "Flesh for Fantasy," "Eyes Without a Face," and "Mony Mony," along with a blistering solo by Stevens, who's an absolute virtuoso on the guitar.
Collection
[
|
...
]