Kid Rock has never lost his relevance
Friday, May 9, 2008
Last updated: Friday May 9, 2008, EDT 6:35 AM
BY MIKE KERWICK
STAFF WRITER
He has caused trouble at a Waffle House and raised money for war veterans. He has fended off frivolous lawsuits and penned jukebox staples.
Like the fictional character Apollo Creed, Kid Rock has a collection of nicknames and a penchant for wearing red, white and blue. But there is nothing fictional about Rock, a true American character (or “American Bad Ass,” as he claimed in one memorable anthem).
He married Pamela Anderson. He is pals with race car driver Tony Stewart. Is he cocky? You bet he’s cocky.
Rock brings his unflinching style to Madison Square Garden on Thursday, joining an eclectic collection of characters. He will share a stage with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the legendary Southern rock band that gave us “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Freebird.”
IF YOU GO
WHO: Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd with Rev Run and Peter Wolf.
WHAT: Rock.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan; Ticketmaster or thegarden.com.
HOW MUCH: $41, $61, $81, $101.
WHERE TO HEAR: myspace.com/kidrock; lynyrdskynyrd.com.
But the show also will feature appearances by Rev Run (of Run DMC fame) and Peter Wolf (of J. Geils Band fame). At previous shows on this tour, Rock has joined his collaborators to perform some of their biggest hits. He’s done “Centerfold” with Wolf, the J. Geils Band frontman. He did “It’s Tricky” and “You Be Illin’ ” — two of Run DMC’s hits — when Rev Run took the stage.
Rock is a decade removed from some of his biggest hits — “Cowboy,” “Bawitdaba” and “Only God Knows Why” — but unlike other artists of that era (Limp Bizkit, please report to the stage), Rock has maintained his relevance. He teamed with Sheryl Crow for the mega-hit “Picture.” And his most recent album, 2007’s “Rock N Roll Jesus,” went to No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. One of the songs from the album (”All Summer Long”) actually samples Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.”
What’s next for the Kid? Rock is scheduled to tour the United States and Canada this summer, wrapping up his set of shows with a return trip to his home state of Michigan in July. And according to several reports, Rock is teaming up with Rev Run for a new album titled “Running With the Kid.”
E-mail: kerwick@northjersey.com
http://www.northjersey.com/betterliving/Rock_has_made_solid_choices.html
Kid Rock has never lost his relevance
Friday, May 9th, 2008
2 Responses to “Kid Rock has never lost his relevance”
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May 13th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I am going to the show Thursday Night at MSG, I really hope Kid knows that NYC loved “Devil Without A Cause” and want to hear alot of that album. “Balls In Your Mo**h” would be amazing. Please not to much Rev Run, MORE KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simple Man!!!!!!!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I went to two Kid Rock shows last week and even met him. He is the very best entertainer any where. If you can only go to one concert in your lifetime Kid Rock is the one to attend. He puts on a fantastic rockin show. The audience is as loud as he is. No one leaves disappointed. I have been to 11 of his concerts and am waiting for him to come back again for the next one!