Exclusive review of Bret Michaels, DOKKEN, and LA Guns Rockin' Rib America - St Louis May 29

By Deb Rao

St. Louis, Mo-RockMusicStar.com is proud to present an Exclusive review of Bret Michaels, DOKKEN, and LA Guns Rockin' Rib America - St Louis May 29

The Mid-West is known for its share of great 80's concert and this Memorial Day weekend got off to a rockin' start as Bret Michaels, Dokken, and LA Guns rocked Rib America in St. Louis on May 29. As the temperatures soared into the upper 80's, the only thing hotter than the temperatures today were the performances onstage that featured some of the Top 80's bands to emerge out of the 80's genre.

Anticipation filled the air, as Bret Michaels was slated to take the stage tonight on the second show of his comeback tour. When news broke last month of the singer's brain hemorrhage, millions of his fans held vigil and stay glued to the television for news of the singer's condition. It was truly a miracle the Bret was going to be able to perform here tonight and the fans showed appreciation with this sold out performance and astounding fan turn out in epic proportions.

Before Bret took the stage, the day and evening were filled with great music and good times. I had the opportunity to catch up with long time friend of RockMusicStar.com LA Guns drummer Steve Riley earlier that day. I asked about the tour and his thoughts on the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Steve commented,” The band has a string of dates throughout Missouri this weekend. Everything has been going great. It really sucks that Ronnie died. I just heard that Dennis Hopper passed away. We just lost three of the greats from the 80's, Dio, Gary Coleman, and Dennis Hopper."

LA Guns featuring the original core members Phil Lewis and Steve Riley hit the stage at 4:15 P.M. The band performed all of their classics including,"Sex Action", "Never Enough”, and "No Mercy." It has been a year since I saw the band perform at M3. This year's line-up featured new bassist Kenny Kweens. Kenny rounds out the missing piece of the puzzle of LA Guns. The former Beautiful Creature bassist fits in well with the band and did a great job. LA Guns ended the set with their hit,” Ballad Of Jayne."  

Next up Veteran rockers DOKKEN hit the stage at 6:45 P.M. and performed one of strongest sets of the evening. Dokken front man Don Dokken sporting a white shirt and sunglasses took full command of the young audience. The band has just released their Greatest Hits release and is riding high with sold out performances from the East to West Coast. Don just recently performed an acoustic show with Y&T in San Francisco last weekend and was in great voice. The band kicked off the set with "Just Got Lucky." Dokken cranked out hit after hit including crowd favorite "Dream Warriors." Filling in for drummer Mick Brown was House of Lord drummer BJ Zampa.

Guitarist Jon Levin sizzled on the jam on "Too High To Fly." It was so exhilarating to see a whole new generation of young Dokken fans at the show. The band has really evolved in their 25-year span garnering new fans to date. Dokken also performed new song "This Fire" off of their hit studio album,” Lightning Strikes Again." Don commented,” I have known Bret since he was a 17 year old kid on Sunset Strip and now he is here to rock your asses off. I know I spent a lot of time reflecting on the 80's today but Dokken comes from the generation of Motley Crue Poison, and The Scorpions. Dokken owned the 80's."  Don asked the crowd, do you want something slow or in your face as the band slammed into,” Tooth And Nail" and ended the set with hit song "In My Dreams." Be sure to catch Dokken on tour this summer! 

 Dokken Set List

Just Got Lucky 

The Hunter

Kiss Of Death 

Dream Warriors 

This Fire

Into The Fire 

Breaking The Chains  

Alone Again 

Too High To Fly

It's Not Love

Tooth And Nail  

In My Dreams   

 As a rock journalist, I possibly just witnessed one of the greatest nights of music that was filled with so much love and respect interacted between performer and audience. Before Bret hit the stage, guitarist Pete Evick of the BMB took the stage to give a heart-warming speech. Pete commented,” I am standing here tonight because Bret Michaels is alive". The response of the audience was thunderous. Pete also commented that they were filming here tonight clips for scenes of the upcoming new Bret Michaels reality show, Bret Michaels - Life As I Know that will air a special preview on VH-1 Memorial Day evening at 10 P.M. and will premiere in the Fall when Bret gets stronger. Also earlier in the evening BMB keyboard player Robi Wylde informed us,” This is the second night of the tour. So far so good." 

As the intro to "Welcome To The Jungle" ended, Bret Michaels hit the stage with a vengeance and the response from the audience was simply astounding. Bret looking great yelled out,” We are going to rock you Poison style." This will have to be deemed as comeback of the year.  The energy of the band was electric. Amidst a sea of faces, fans rushed to the stage to get a glimpse of the bandana-clad singer. The smile on Bret's face was Priceless! The singer was back onstage where he belonged.

One of the highlights of the set was Bret performing acoustic and dedicating "Something To Believe In" to the Men and Women of our armed forces who made it possible to be here today and celebrate Freedom. Other highlights included "Every Rose Has A Thorn" in which Bret commented,” I recently got to perform this song on American Idol and it was one of the most spiritual moments of my career." Bret spent most of the evening thanking the fans for their letters of support during the most difficult part of his life.  

The BMB got the crowd rockin' with "Sweet Home Alabama" and the bluesy "Your Mama Don't Dance." The band ended the night with the Poison hit "Fallen Angel." As the final notes of encore,” Nothing But A Good Time" rang out, I think it was safe to say, Bret Michaels is a true rock and roll soldier. His strength and courage has inspired millions.

 The 80's were a time that knew no boundaries. Anything was possible and we lived in the moment never looking back. Today, the top three bands of from the 80's, Bret, Dokken, and LA Guns joined forces to deliver a night filled with magic and memories. What better way to spend a holiday weekend filled with great friends and music? The Staff of Rockmusicstar.com would like to give a special thanks to Dokken for making this review possible. And also wish Bret Michaels a full recovery and much success. 

Bret Michaels Set List  

Talk Dirty to Me
Look What the Cat Dragged In 
Go That Far
Sweet Home Alabama
Knockin On Heaven's Door
Bittersweet
Something to Believe In 
Unskinny Bop 
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Fallen Angel
Nothin' but a Good Time