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REVIEW: MOTLEY CRUE & ALICE COOPER THE FINAL TOUR - 8/2/2014
Gweedo
I’ve been dreading yet looking forward to this day, The Final Tour. If you live in a cave, get out! Motley Crue announced, after 33 years, they are calling it quits and with that came their final tour. August 2nd was the day this last performance came to Denver at the Pepsi Center. Motley Crue made their final trek with Alice Cooper and The Raskins. Unfortunately, the Pepsi Center was slow in setting up the seating which caused about an hour delay getting in. This delay made the organizers have to cut The Raskins. I bet they were probably pretty decent to be invited on this tour. The other unfortunate thing was that there were no cameras allow at this concert. That made it so all the photos coming out were from camera phones. So, forgive me for the poor picture quality. I’m certain this is because a DVD of this tour will be coming out for the people that couldn’t make it and for the ones that want to relive it (me). Once the doors opened, it was surprising how quickly the masses were processed and sent inside. Both entrances were loaded with fans in their 80’s garb. There were merch booths everywhere for Motley Crue and Alice Cooper. Outside had a small tent and a lady walking around with a small selection. Inside had at least three booths and the same lady walking around before the concert. There needed to be more women’s shirts, but I think that’s the case for every concert. They did have quite a few different shirts, posters, cups, flags, hats, etc. though.
Gweedo
I’ve been dreading yet looking forward to this day, The Final Tour. If you live in a cave, get out! Motley Crue announced, after 33 years, they are calling it quits and with that came their final tour. August 2nd was the day this last performance came to Denver at the Pepsi Center. Motley Crue made their final trek with Alice Cooper and The Raskins. Unfortunately, the Pepsi Center was slow in setting up the seating which caused about an hour delay getting in. This delay made the organizers have to cut The Raskins. I bet they were probably pretty decent to be invited on this tour. The other unfortunate thing was that there were no cameras allow at this concert. That made it so all the photos coming out were from camera phones. So, forgive me for the poor picture quality. I’m certain this is because a DVD of this tour will be coming out for the people that couldn’t make it and for the ones that want to relive it (me). Once the doors opened, it was surprising how quickly the masses were processed and sent inside. Both entrances were loaded with fans in their 80’s garb. There were merch booths everywhere for Motley Crue and Alice Cooper. Outside had a small tent and a lady walking around with a small selection. Inside had at least three booths and the same lady walking around before the concert. There needed to be more women’s shirts, but I think that’s the case for every concert. They did have quite a few different shirts, posters, cups, flags, hats, etc. though.
Alice Cooper in the lineup was the cherry on top. I’ve seen Alice quite a few times, and somehow he tweaks the show just enough to make it fresh. The band got prepared behind a giant sheet of Alice’s eyes. Once it dropped, the entertainment just flew off the stage. Even as an opener, Alice Cooper and his band played like a headliner. He brought everything you would expect; fireworks, bubbles, balloons, a guillotine, and giant Franken-Alice! Mr. Cooper even came out with a giant boa wrapped around him. They sounded fantastic, as always. The newest addition to the band is the stunning, talented Nita Strauss from The Iron Maidens. She filled the gap left by Orianthi. Alice is starting to get the knack for finding beautiful women that can shred the guitar. I’m thoroughly impressed with Strauss’ stage presence and guitar work. I love seeing Ryan Roxie and Chuck Garric kicking ass. Tommy Henriksen is still manning his guitar post. I’m waiting for him to get a sponsorship from Orbitz. He’s always got a giant wad of gum he’s going to town on. Glen Sobel had a cool green drum set with eyes for the double bass drums. He did a great drum solo and shot fireballs out of his drum sticks. They played all their hits and had everyone instantly on their feet. The 45 minute set was an awesome primer for the evening.
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With much bated breath, the lights went out, and a sold out Pepsi Center erupted. A wall of speakers and a lit pentagram above framed the larger-than-life personalities making their way on the stage. Whether this was your first time or twentieth, it was everyone’s last time, and everyone’s chest was full of excitement. Motley Crue came out hard and ready. Their stage presence was perfect. The excitement was increased with the huge railings that stretched into the air and landed at the back of the venue. It was hard to hide that Tommy Lee had something special up his sleeve for the evening. The whole show had lots of flames and sparks. They really were going out with a bang! Nikki Sixx even had a big flame thrower strapped to his bass that sent ten foot flames into the air. He had an awesome looking suspended mic with a pentagram that he set on fire. Vince Neil was blinged out from his necklace to his mic and mic stand. It looked like he got out his Bedazzler from the 80’s. He brought out a guitar for a couple songs too. Mick Mars was looking very frail, but that didn’t stop him from shredding the guitar. Tommy was elevated with an all-white drum set, and the drums lit up when he hit them. To accent the performance, they had scantily dressed women dancers and singers on various songs. There were side platforms that went up to the audience that elevated towards the end of the show. About halfway through, Nikki sat everyone down and had story time. He outlined the fragile events that caused Motley Crue to form and become one of the greatest rock bands ever. I’m not sure if this was a typical part of the show or just an easy way to give everyone a breather in the thin mountain air.
Finally came the time that everyone had been waiting for. With a tense moment of set up, Tommy Lee strapped into the drum set and the set and platform came to life. He soloed over a DJ track while his drums traversed the railing to the back of the venue. As he went, the platform rotated upside down. It. Was. Amazing! That was until four, two gallon containers accosted everyone with glitter as he rotated. I’ve been finding glitter for days… Never have I seen such a spectacle, and I wonder how he was able to drum dangling upside down. They played all their hits sans one song since the show was running late. As a farewell, the band snaked through the crowd to a second stage in the back. Equipped with a piano and drum set, everyone knew what was coming up. They encored with “Home Sweet Home” while the stage rose twenty or more feet in the air. There was not a bad seat in the house. From the band to the audience, there were smiles everywhere.
Writing this review I’ve been recalling all of the events of the evening, and it excites me as if I was there all over again. There wasn’t one bad part to anyone’s set. Alice Cooper was a perfect choice to bring on tour. I still can’t believe how fantastic Motley Crue sounded. On their way out, it is great to be able to say that they sounded as good as the first time I saw them. This was their best performance. The majority don’t believe this will be it, but I do. I honestly hope they prove me wrong because I think they could still put in another CD and some more tours and still be going out on top. This is proven by them all going separate ways with secondary bands. Only time will tell, I suppose. As they close out in 2015, the next chapter brings much anticipation. Nikki has already announced the release date for the next Sixx:A.M. CD, which surely will have a tour with it. Mick Mars has been working on his solo CD. Vince Neil will be doing more with his solo band. Tommy has been quiet, but I’m sure he’ll be doing more DJ work, and maybe we can get some more Methods of Mayhem? Purely speculation. Anyway, this is a show not to be missed. So, do whatever you can to make it. On to the next.
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