The all-star troupe is packing venues on their 2018 tour
Last night, the legendary Hollywood Vampires made a triumphant return to a packed Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA. The group last headlined the venue on their 2016 summer tour of the States. Absent was bassist Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, who just wrapped up a North American run with his band. Just two weeks ago, STP performed nearby at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA. The core trio of Alice Cooper, Aerosmith axman Joey Perry, and film legend Johnny Depp still ripped through a great set.
The group churned out an 18-song set that included a nice mix of originals and covers. They kicked things off with a brand new original “I Want Mine Now.” Highlights from there included a Doors mashup of “Five To One/Break On Through (To The Other Side),” Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades,” The Who’s “Baba O’Riley,” Alice Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen,” and others.
Johnny Depp took over lead vocals for a rendition of the late David Bowie’s “Heroes,” as well as “People Who Died” by the Jim Carroll Band. While Depp does have some talent as a musician, it’s more his swagger that is critical to the band.
The band debuted two other new tracks during the set – “The Boogieman Sunrise” and “Bushwackers.” The Aerosmith rarity “Combination” also found it’s way into the set.
A fine tribute was paid to AC/DC’s Malcolm Young, who passed away last November. “We just lost Malcolm,” Alice Cooper stated. “But, we got The Joe,” referring to Joe Perry.
The crown jewels of the night were Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” and Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out.” It was a rock history lesson taught by living legends, definitely worth the price of admission.
