Tag: Michael Lardie
0 Great White At the M3 Rock Festival
When I see Great White perform, I think about the joy of music. You see, the band enjoys playing live, and it shows in their performance. Mark Kendall and Michael Lardie are all smiles, and Terry Ilous owns the stage. Terry Ilous gives 110% every time he sings, and whether the fans like it or not, he has great chemistry with the band. This was the second time I saw Mr. Ilous front Great White, and both times the band has put on a great performance.
Because of the botched start times at M3, Great White only got to play five songs. Their set consisted of “Big Goodbye”, “Lady Red Light”, “Save Your Love”, “Rock Me”
and “One Bitten Twice Shy”. I wish they could have played longer, but I enjoyed their short set.
0 M3 Rock Festival – Photo Gallery – Great White
Check out our Photo Gallery from the Great White performance at the M3 Rock Festival on May 14th, 2011. Click on the pictures below to view the larger image.
3 M3 Rock Festival – Day 2 Review – Great White
It has been well noted long before M3 was booked that Great White has been using a variety of singers filling in for Jack Russell. The band has used Jani Lane, Paul Shortino & more recently Terry Ilous from XYZ.
Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from Great White. Their performance could have been a complete train wreck without Jack Russell.
In my opinion, Great White was a pleasant surprise at M3. Not only did Terry Ilous do a good job singing those Great White tunes, but he was fun to watch. Ilous didn’t seem like a substitute singer at all. He was having a great time singing those classic Great White tunes. He seemed to have a very good chemistry with the band.
Great White performed all of the hits you would expect including: “Lady Red Light”, “Save Your Love”, “Mista Bone”, “Rock Me” and “One Bitten Twice Shy”.
While we wish Jack Russell a speedy recovery, it is good to know that Great White is in good hands with Mr. Ilous. Check them out live if you get the chance!
You can view our Great White Photo Gallery at this link.
2 Night Ranger – Hole In The Sun (Release Year – 2008)
Hole in the Sun is the first new album from Night Ranger in nine years. On Hole in the Sun, the band has returned to their hard rocking roots.
The lineup of Night Ranger has changed since this album was released. Michael Lardie has returned to Great White, and was replaced by Christian Matthew Cullen. Jeff Watson was replaced with Joel Hoekstra.
I must admit that I had low expectations for this disc. I like Night Ranger, but the last couple of releases were just on the o.k. side for me. Hole In the Sun is easily the best record they have done in a long time.
Jack Blades and Kelly Keagy trade off on the lead vocals on this disc. Both singers do a pretty fine job, especially Jack Blades who sings backup to Keagy’s tracks.
Before this disc was released, Jeff Watson was fire by Night Ranger. I do not know the reasons why, other than some squabling over the direction of this album. Judging from the sounds on Hole In the Sun, it couldn’t have been due to his playing ability. The guitar work of Watson and Gillis is superb on this disc.
Some of the songs on Hole in the Sun are of the hard rock variety, and some fall more into the melodic rock/aor vein. The mix of songs on Hole In the Sun is pretty good, which gives the album a very balanced feel to it. Their really isn’t a bad song on this disc.
The first three tracks are amongst the heavier cuts on the album. You’re Gonna Hear From Me is one seriously rocking tune, and quite possibly one of Night Ranger’s best songs ever.
My favorite cuts are Tell Your Vision, You’re Gonna Hear From Me, What Happened, and Wrap It Up.
Europe has had their hands on this disc since 2007 (although it has a different cover). I am not sure why it took so long for Night Ranger to secure a U.S. deal, but I am glad they did. If you have ever considered yourself a Night Ranger fan, you need to check out Hole in the Sun. This may not be their best record, but it is a very solid effort, and worth checking out.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Tell Your Vision 
2. Drama Queen
3. You’re Gonna Hear From Me
4. Whatever Happened
5. There Is Life
6. Rockstar
7. Hole In The Sun
8. Fool In Me
9. White Knuckle Ride
10. Revelation 4AM
11. Wrap It Up
12. Being
13. Don’t Tell Me You Love Me [Acoustic Version]
14. Sister Christian [Acoustic Version]
Night Ranger is:
Jack Blades – Bass and LeadVocals
Brad Gillis – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Jeff Watson – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Kelly Keagy – Drums and Lead Vocals
Michael Lardie – Keyboards and Backing Vocals
