A one-off U.S. concert, Wood's first-ever solo show in the United States, smoked from start to finish Saturday night in Atlantic City.
Closing out the show at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City. L to R: Chuck Leavell, Andy Wallace, Ronnie Wood, Steve Jordan, Willie Weeks and Bernard Fowler. (Photo: Craig Billow)
Photos: Ronnie Wood's Art Gallery Opening Event at Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Photos: Ronnie Wood and Friends Soundcheck and More at Golden Nugget Atlantic City
For his first "solo" show ever in the United States, legendary Rolling Stones guitarist and singer Ronnie Wood pulled two hours worth of magic out of his musical bag of tricks.
At the Golden Nugget Atlantic City on Saturday, April 21, Woody played to a standing-room crowd inside the casino's Grand Showroom. Woody, whose new art gallery at the Nugget opened the previous night with a private reception — it is slated to remain open for three months in conjucntion with an exhibition in New York — sang songs from the Rolling Stones ("Black Limousine", "It's Only Rock and Roll") his earlier band the Faces ("Ooh La La, "Stay With Me") in addition to several songs from his 2010 album I Feel Like Playing ("Thing About You," "Sweetness My Weakness," "Spoonful") and his previous solo albums.
Woody packed the intimate Golden Nugget showroom, taking the stage around 9:30pm, dressed in a black coat, white shirt, silver necklace and a gray Justin Bieber tank-top underneath, which was exposed at the end of the set, before he and the band came back for an encore, closing with "Stay With Me," which, like many of the songs, the enthused crowd sang along with, dancing in between the rows of seats.
The band Woody assembled for this one-off show in Atlantic City met up at the Golden Nugget on Thursday and basically rehearsed the show non-stop for a couple days.
You couldn't tell, but then again, these are some of the best musicians in the world.
Willie Weeks was his sensational self on bass, holding down the rhythm section with fellow music veteran Steve Jordan on drums. The Stones' (and Allman Bros. Band member) Chuck Leavell played keyboards — and sang "Statesboro Blues" — and also swapped spots a few times during the high-energy show with Hammond B3 player Andy Wallace.
Bernard Fowler sang on many of the tunes, either up front as Ronnie played his git, including some mean slide work, singing the parts that Rod Stewart would have sang in the Faces or Mick Jagger would have sang with the Stones.
Fowler kept the crowd on its toes for the entire show, urging the fans — who came from as far as Argentina and the Pacific Coast — to sing along, clap their hands and boogie down with this funky band (which should record an album together).
READ: Our exclusive interview with Ronnie Wood
Woody, sober for two years, was in great spirits, raising his arms and thanking the crowd after each song, talking about the venue and giving shout-outs to Atlantic City.
The reggae-infused "Sweetness My Weakness" was among the many highlights of the set. Bob Dylan's "Seven Days" appeared early in the show and smoked. The Faces and Stones jams got the most response from the crowd, but there wasn't a low point or any lull in the musical bliss for two hours.
After saying goodbye and walking off stage, Woody and the band came back for a pair of songs, this time wearing a red "Life's A Game - Roll with It" Golden Nugget T-shirt.
The band then assembled at center stage and bowed before the lights went up.
Although most of the band was seen walking through the Golden Nugget post-show, Wood, who'll be 65 in June, went back up to his room for a little R&R.
Well deserved.
Hopefully, this one-off show was recorded. It would make a sensational live release.
Photos: Ronnie Wood's Art Gallery Opening Event at Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Photos: Ronnie Wood and Friends Soundcheck and More at Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Watch: "Seven Days" Live at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, April 21, 2012:
The musician and artist will make two special Jersey Shore appearances this weekend , including a show at Borgata and an artist reception in Stone Harbor at Ocean Galleries.
Comedy impressionist Gordie Brown doesn’t do the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia in his fast-paced, one-man variety show. But he should probably consider adding the late front man to his repertoire, if only for one line from one song.
Between Friday and Monday, Atlantic City will experience the single biggest weekend of entertainment the town has ever seen, and with the most demographically diverse collection of artists, too. Few cities anywhere can match the quality, quantity and calibre of shows this weekend, if ever.
Atlantic City’s newest, biggest and richest cheerleader is a 54-year-old native Texan with the requisite drawl, who refers to his guests as “y’all” and apologized, with a sheepish, aw-shucks grin, for being underdressed at the grand opening of his Golden Nugget casino last week.
Any notion that the Golden Nugget intended to sit back in the shadows and allow Revel to bask in the limelight alone is one that will be thoroughly dispelled this weekend.
Golden Nugget encouraged its guests, through a variety of construction-related promotions, to be part of the sweeping makeover that actually began a few weeks before the casino’s parent company, hospitality industry giant Landry’s Inc., purchased the former Trump Marina for $38 million.
How does it feel — to be a Rolling Stone? “Feels great,” says Wood. “It’s an unbelievable thing that’s been going on for this length of time and we’re certainly covering new ground by being the first rock and roll band to be 50 years old.”
Ever since Tilman Fertitta, CEO of Landry’s Inc., took over the former Trump Marina last May and brought back the Golden Nugget brand to Atlantic City, the casino’s slogan has been, “Watch the Transformation.” Now the transformation is complete, and the Golden Nugget is throwing a four-day party April 26-29 to celebrate with its official Grand Opening Kick-Off Weekend.
Some of the qualities that allowed Tilman Fertitta to reach the apex of the business world, and transform Landry’s Restaurants Inc. into a conglomerate worth nearly $4 billion, he seems to carry around like a set of car keys.
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1. Fred H said... on Apr 24, 2012 at 11:17AM
“best concert I've ever seen in AC hands down! What a band! Tour the States fellas!”
2. Dave said... on Apr 27, 2012 at 01:34PM
“I keep reading that this was his first solo performance in the US. Wrong, saw him solo at the Chestnut Caberet in Philadelphia in 1992.”
3. BIll said... on Apr 27, 2012 at 01:47PM
“thank you Ronnie for coming to AC! What an awesome treat it was to hear you sing for just about the whole show! Mean harp playing too...COME BACK!!”