By Michael Yanko 

Rock Legends Photographers

     Having been a live performance photographer for the reason that 70s and taking pictures hundreds of concert events, a whole lot of festivals, and 9 music cruises, Pink Rocks has been on my bucket record for a few years. After I acquired an electronic mail from Gov’t Mule stating that they had been taking part in there, it piqued my curiosity. After I came upon that Jason Bonham was opening and that Joe Bonamassa was taking part in the evening earlier than, I noticed it was time to make a visit to Colorado and cross this one off my record!

    I’ve seen Joe Bonamassa carry out a number of instances, however seeing and listening to him at Pink Rocks was an expertise by no means to be forgotten. It rained virtually the complete present, however the sold-out crowd got here ready with raincoats and ponchos. Photographing was troublesome within the rain, however I did handle to get a number of good pictures!

     The rising anticipation for the beginning of the present was climaxed with Tom Petty’s “The Ready,” adopted by the band’s entrance to thunderous applause! 

     Opening the present with “Evil Mama,” the band adopted up with songs from Bonamassa’s enormous catalogue of albums together with: “Mud Bowl,” “Love Ain’t a Love Tune,” “Self-Inflicted Wounds,” “I Need to Shout About it” from the forthcoming album, and “Final Matador of Bayonne.” 

     To the delight of the group the subsequent track featured particular visitor Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band) who was scheduled the subsequent evening. Bonamassa launched him by saying “Some folks right this moment requested me, ‘you going tomorrow, is he coming right here?’ I stated ‘effectively I can’t make it tomorrow however I’m certain it’s gonna be f-cking implausible.’ My buddy Jason Bonham is right here tonight. I don’t give this man sufficient credit score as a result of over the course of the primary hour of this present he’s most likely written down 20 issues that I’ve f-cking stolen from him on the guitar, together with this model of this track by Albert King known as ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s Residence’ and we’re gonna convey out Warren Haynes proper now to play it.” The guitar duo jam throughout this track was astonishing!

     Bonamassa channeled his inside Buddy Man a number of instances all through the evening, dropping “F” bombs at random. Following the track with Haynes, Bonamassa launched his band consisting of:  Josh Smith (guitar), Calvin Turner (bass, changing the late Michael Rhodes), Lemar Carter (drums), Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer Reese Wynans (keys), and Dannielle DeAndrea and Jade MacRae (backing vocals). 

      After introductions the efficiency continued with “Curtain Name,” adopted by a inventive cowl of Barbra Streisand’s “Prisoner” (Love Theme from Eyes of Laura Mars). Subsequent up was “The Coronary heart That By no means Waits.”  Following a tremendous blues solo, Bonamassa provided up a touch of  “Trigger We’ve Ended as Lovers,” giving a quick salute to the late nice Jeff Beck! After delighting the sold-out crowd with that tidbit, the band adopted up with “Lonely Boy,” adopted by ZZ High’s “Simply Received Paid,” which morphed into Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” earlier than morphing again into “Simply Received Paid.” The set ended with a five-minute drum solo after which the band cleared the stage. The group was loud and hungry for extra. The band returned for the the anticipated encore, “Mountain Time.”  Bonamassa advised the group that somebody posted on Twitter, “Man, I actually hope you play ‘Mountain Time’ on the mountain!” He shared that he didn’t plan it, however that it simply makes f-cking sense. It was an incredible ending to a memorable efficiency!

     Joe Bonamassa is among the best residing guitar gamers and his performances are at all times extraordinary. Whether or not you’re a blues fan, rock fan, or each, remember to put Bonamassa in your should see live performance record!

For extra pictures from this present go to https://rocklegendsphotographers.smugmug.com/BLUES-CONCERT-PHOTOS/JOE-BONAMASSA-Pink-Rocks-8-6-23/