Arts & Entertainment - Music

July 2008

MUSIC

RZA As Bobby Digital: RZA was on the five-year plan with the Wu-Tang Clan. He asked them to give him five years and he’d take them to the top. This was in ’92. Five years later, the Wu-Tang released Forever. It hit No. 1. The eight hip-hop New Yorkers have since moved on to their own acclaimed careers. RZA, the mastermind behind the group, started a project with his alter ego, Bobby Digital, a character whose main focus is women, drugs, guns, and booze. Bobby Digital’s ’98 release went platinum. RZA was right — he took them to the top. 8 p.m. July 2. $20. The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Bon Jovi: Nearly 25 years ago, in Sayreville, N.J., Jon Bon Jovi took his last name and formed a rock band that shredded the charts with records and shredded guitars on stage. They’ve sold nearly 120 million records worldwide and nearly 35 million here in America. Their last release, Lost Highway, was in June 2007, and it debuted at No. 1. It was Bon Jovi’s only album to do so, and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at this year’s Grammys. 7:30 p.m. July 7. $39.50-$132. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

Freedom Hill Funkfest: Morris Day & The Time, SOS, Con Funk Shun: Morris Day & The Time hit the funk artery with jams like “777-9311,” “Jungle Love,” and, of course, “Jerk Out.” The funk-tastic Con Funk Shun and SOS join the group for a summer funkfest tour. 7 p.m. July 10. $22-$46. Freedom Hill Amphitheater, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-268-5100.

Al Green: He’s a reverend now, and adds a lot of gospel to his shows. However, before he found the Lord again, Green was all about love and love makin’. His voice is so smooth and rich that you can gain weight just listening to him sing. 7:30 p.m. July 11. $10-$35. Freedom Hill Amphitheater, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-268-5100.

Anita Baker: Born in Toledo, reared in Detroit, eight-time Grammy award winner, platinum album maker, soul singer, R&B star, Anita Baker is coming home to roost, so to speak. 8 p.m. July 12. $12-$62. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited: The Revival happened, but not forgotten. So, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford revisited it. In 1995, Creedence Clearwater Revisited brought it back. And, well, you know, picked up where the original CCR left off. 7:30 p.m. July 13. $7-$31.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

Crue Fest featuring Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, SIXX: A.M. & Trapt: Be careful, there’s going to be a lot of tattooed dudes up on the stage. And some mascara, too. Here’s a question: Does the toughness of being a dude covered in tattoos dissipate when he’s also covered in mascara? Anyway, rock is going to be represented by the glam rockers and the slam rockers. 5 p.m. July 15. $40. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

Vans Warped Tour: The Warped Tour is somewhat of a summer institution among extreme sporters and punkers alike. But not so much the punk rockers of the past — like Joey Ramone — but more of the punkers of the present — like that kid from Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz. Reel Big Fish, Reliant K, and Pennywise are just a few of the many various groups playing. 11 a.m. July 18. $28.50. Comerica Park parking lot, Detroit; ticketmaster.com.

John Mellencamp: When he did “Jack and Diane” he was just John Cougar. Later, he became John Cougar Mellencamp. Now, he’s John Mellencamp. The next logical step would be John — but there are so many Johns. However, not many Johns can boast Grammy awards, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame creds, and an acclaimed, expansive body of American rock music. Mellencamp’s newest album — released this month — is called Life, Death, Love and Freedom. 7:30 p.m. July 18. $17-$82. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

Bel Biv DeVoe, Johnny Gill & En Vogue: It’s time- machine time — right back to the ’90s for a little R&B. A splinter of the super group New Edition in Bel Biv DeVoe and Johnny Gill, the man picked to fill the fired Bobby Brown’s shoes in the same group is joined by En Vogue. 8 p.m. July 18. $17-$55. Chene Park, 2600 Atwater St., Detroit; 313-393-0292.

Kid Rock: His latest album, Rock N Roll Jesus, was released in October of 2007. However, he has a new one in the works. Either way, he’s back on tour and bringing the party for three nights. Kid Rock, born in Romeo, Mich., as Bob Ritchie, pulls elements of rapcore, Southern rock, country, and hard rock into a boiling cauldron that erupts into a high-energy, high-intensity live performance. 7 p.m. July 19-20, 22. $26-$52. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

An Evening with Yes: They’ve battled through the prog-rock scene and now, 40 years since their inception, are still pulling in huge numbers of fans. This band from London, England, yanks in elements of not only progressive rock, but also symphonic, art, and pop rock. 8 p.m. July 19. $27-$147. Freedom Hill Amphitheater, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-268-5100.

Crosby, Stills & Nash: The Byrds, The Hollies, and Buffalo Springfield — just imagine if you could take members from each one of those groups and form another separate group. It’d be like a super group. Wait — that happened. Crosby, Stills & Nash were at the forefront of the ’60s revolution, and they still have fans. 8 p.m. July 19. $20-$75. Meadow Brook Music Festival, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-377-0100.

!!!: It’s Pow, Pow, Pow , or is it Chk, Chk, Chk , or Bang, Bang, Bang ? It doesn’t matter. The band says as long as it’s three loud noises in a row, it’s right. !!! is kind of a dance-y, jazzy, indie, smooth, rocky group of dudes who, when it all comes down to it, just like to party. Always a good show, always a crowd full of booty shakers, and always hot — as in sweat. 8 p.m. July 20. $15. Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Bow Wow, Ray J & Yung Berg: Lil’ Bow Wow isn’t so lil’ anymore. He’s out grown it. Now he just goes by Bow Wow. He raps and he’s out in support of his newest album, H.I.M. (History In Making). He’s also a pretty good roller skater, playing Xavier in Roll Bounce, the roller skating equivalent to the 1984 movie Breakin’. 7 p.m. July 23. $17-$46. Freedom Hill Amphitheater, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights; 586-268-5100.

Hard Lessons: This Detroit rock ’n’ roll three-piece band turns it up a notch. If the volume goes to 10, they find a way to make it to 11 (yeah, a Spinal Tap reference). 7 p.m. July 26. $12. The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

The Police with Elvis Costello & The Imposters: This is quite a lineup — Sting and Elvis Costello on the same stage. But it’s going to be old school. Sting is back with the Police, and Costello is bringing the Imposters. 8 p.m. July 26. $44-$229.50. DTE Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston; 248-645-6666.

Neil Diamond: Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? Neil Diamond must be pretty flattered. It’s not at the level of Elvis impersonators, but it isn’t too far behind. Last May, he released his 29th album, Home Before Dark , selling nearly 150,000 in its first week. 8 p.m. July 31. $55-$120. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

This article appears in the July 2008 of Hour Detroit.
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