Great White
GREAT WHITE was one of the biggest bands to emerge from the 80s rock scene. Pop hits, hard rockers, blues songs – they are a band that has covered every end of the rock and roll spectrum. On May 10, the band played a sold-out show at the Railhead inside Boulder Station – and it was easily one of the best shows this rock and roll fan has seen all year.
The last few years have been a turbulent time for GREAT WHITE, having seen the departure of classic vocalist Jack Russell, who has since put together his own version of the group. Following stints with temporary vocalists, the group eventually managed to find a new frontman in the form of XYZ vocalist Terry Ilous. Like any fan out there, I had my share of doubts about anyone filling Jack Russell’s shoes. But over the course of the past few years, I can safely say Ilous has won me over, doing justice to all the GREAT WHITE classics you have come to know and love.
The setlist for this show was nothing short of excellent, covering everything from the band’s obligatory hits to deep tracks dating all the way back to the group’s very first releases. Additionally, the band served up some new songs from ‘Elation,’ their latest studio album release and the first to feature Ilous on vocals. When a band has been together for over 30 years, choosing a setlist of material is no easy task. Yet GREAT WHITE pulls it off nicely, serving up the perfect balance of hits, obscure gems, and new stuff alike.
For me, though, the highlight of the show was the encores. The group was joined on stage by one of my favorite Vegas-based guitarists, Stoney Curtis, who did an amazing blues jam session with Mark Kendall. Only adding to the fun were a few extra guests that joined the band for the end of the performance, including STRYPER’s Oz Fox (playing a tambourine of all things!)
GREAT WHITE is a band whose classic mix of rock, ballads, and blues never gets old. 30 years later, they are still going strong, with a great new frontman and a solid new CD release last year. Definitely one of the best rock shows of the year so far!
-Taylor Carlson
Great White at The Grove, Anaheim Ca
6 hours ago