On This Day in History

On this date in history, 6/14/1988, I saw a show filled with guitar badassery at The Vogue nightclub in Broad Ripple. Robin Trower was the headliner and Indiana’s own P.k.’s Green Eggs & Ham were the incredible opening act. P.k. Lavengood had built his reputation as a guitar wizard with his Rods and Cones band, in which he sang the lion’s share of lead vocals in addition to performing astonishing feats on various guitars. In this new band he had a singer up front, which allowed him to shine on his instrument exclusively. One song they performed that night was “Seattle” by Public Image Ltd. and I fell in love with the tune and subsequently bought the album and wore it out. I seem to recall this band being more underground than Rods and Cones, but P.k. can basically do no wrong in my opinion. He is a musical chameleon who owns every style he ever attempts. Robin Trower had built his reputation originally with Procol Harum in the late ’60’s and then cemented his legacy as a guitar hero with the release of Bridge Of Sighs in 1974. I was literally spellbound by the huge tone he achieved with his Fender Stratocaster at the Vogue. After the first song in which the singer struggled valiantly to be heard over the roar of Trower’s guitar, Trower motioned for the sound man to turn it up. I figured he would boost the vocals, but I was mistaken. On the next song the guitar was even louder than before! Glorious for us guitar fanatics, not so much for anyone wanting to hear the singer! Other than that slight problem, the show featured all of Trower’s signature songs and that godly tone. As a guitar player, I left this event with a huge smile on my face and the familiar ringing in the ears. Yes, it was worth every decibel and then some.

Written By Braddon S. Williams aka The Concert Critic