The Geritol Generation was out in force at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California on Wednesday, October 24th. 2001 !!! At least 4,000 strong or more were there to celebrate rock history, days of our youth from the 60’s & 70’s, and to hear some of the great classic rock that we the older rock generation grooved on when we were young.

On Track Magazine.com had been given complimentary tickets and a photo pass to shoot and review the tour. Seeing that this e-magazine is mostly heavy metal, they in charge asked me, (the 47 year golden oldie), to do the honors. With haste I swooped up the tickets, packed the camera, and was out the door.

The pond was 3/4th full when I got there. No sooner I showed the pass and tickets, and the Nederlander Event Staff helped me to get to the front of the stage and start shooting. There I was, looking up at Joe Cocker singing “Feeling All Right.” Floods of past memories hit me. This is JOE COCKER !! The grind voice of the 60’s & 70’s. Same voice, but oh, so different.

Yes, I remember Joe Cocker back then. Drug infested, gravel voiced, with arm movements that looked more like a severely handicapped child. (No offense to anyone). But this was NOT that Joe Cocker. Gone were the drugs and the spazz air guitar he was so famous for. Here stood a man who was in full control of his faculties. Grey haired, dressed in all black, Cocker looked more like a Pentecostal preacher trying to restrain himself after being filled with the Holy Ghost. Yes, he moved. Yes, he jumped. Yes, he screeched. But none of this was random.

Instead, Cocker was preaching a sermon with his songs and leading the audience into rock and roll worship. His voice seemed smoother than I remembered from the past. And no, he still didn’t get the high notes in

“You Are So Beautiful to Me.” But it sounded soooo goood! Vintage Cocker.

After I did the Cocker photos the Nederlander Event Staff (who were very friendly and professional, thank you ladies), escorted me to my seat, but to my amazement two people were sitting there....a man...and a woman... on top of him...hmmm. Get the idea?! I got an usher to promptly remove them. I had the privilege of sitting next to two fine gentlemen: Steven J. Fisher, who is a singer/songwriter out of Tarzana, California, (sjfisher@sbcglobal.net) and Bob Lee, Applications and Tech engineer for QSC Audio Products ( bob_lee@qscaudio.com). ( Bob is friend to Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive and member of the Guess Who). We introduced ourselves and enjoyed the intermittent conversing with each other as we enjoyed the concert.

So, while getting comfy in my seat, I had a chance to observe the goings on around me. All around I could see them. People in their thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, and yes, even a few 70 year olds and a smidgen of 20 year olds here and there. Joe Cocker had them out of their seats, dancing and grooving as in days gone by. Air guitars and air drums, head nodding (our version of head banging), hips moving, and other gyrations were everywhere as the semi-older generation shook off the 9 to 5 work ethic and got back to their youthful roots, roots based in the Music of Joe Cocker and the Guess Who.

For about an hour and fifteen-twenty minutes Joe Cocker fed the hungry crowd some of the oldies he was so famous for. “Feeling All Right,” “I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends,” “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window,” “The Letter,” and the still so popular “You Are So Beautiful,” and several other great Cocker songs put the crowd into a dance mood, especially the ladies. I noticed quickly the gender difference when it came to how the different sexes reacted to the music. Women got up and DANCED!!! Most of the men acted like they were the band, drumming and guitaring in sync with the music they knew so well.

The Cocker band was excellent though loud. I could not hear Joe as well as I wanted to. A little backing down of the power would have been fine, but I seek not to discredit here, just suggest. The female vocalist with Joe Cocker sang well and kept the moves going while not singing. Let’s face it Joe and the band were ALL good!! The reaction of the crowd attested to that. Joe, you done yourself proud!!!

Between the bands I needed to get the camera, so up I went to the Nederlander folks and again they ushered me down to the front of the stage. It was time for the Guess Who. There was stirring on the stage, the crowd started cheering. Lights! Action! Music! Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Donnie McDougall, and Bill Wallace started whacking away with their first song. I was too busy taking pictures to say which one it was but the crowd was singing along. It didn’t take long to get the photos, so I was back in my seat quickly. Burton was introducing a song Randy Bachman wrote and played while in that “other” band (Bachman Turner Overdrive). It hit the audience like a ton of bricks. No one was sitting as “You Ain’t seen Nothing Yet” was belted out by Randy. And like God said about His creation, “IT WAS GOOD!!” Groovin’ and dancing everywhere, especially by a reddish-brown haired lady in section 223, row B, seat4. More about her later.

Burton hadn’t slowed down or lost his touch since his youthful beginnings with the Guess Who. Well, maybe a couple of high notes were missing, but his clarity of tone and his playing were right on top. Randy looked like Santa doing this “thing” in the off season, and a good looking Santa he was. Yes, the age was showing on the band, but hey, it showed in the crowd also. But age hadn’t stopped the music or slowed down the fingers. Heck, Randy played one of the songs using a drum stick as a pick!!! Now that’s talent and showmanship.

The audience was kept at fever pitch with songs like, “American Woman,” “Taking Care of Business,” “No Time,” “Laughing,” “Undun,” “These Eyes,” “Let It Ride,” “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature,” and “Clap for the Wolfman.” And I, along with all the other working class-but-never-lost-our-youthful-ways audience, loved every song. Why? Because it made us feel young again, alive, virile, and sexy, just like we felt those many years ago when we were truly young. And it also made us feel grateful to be alive considering all the terrorist crap going on. As hopped up as everyone was during the concert, I can guarantee there was sex throughout all of southern California from the middle agers after the concert...without the use of Viagra!!! Thanks Guess Who for a great night!!!

Oh yes, I almost forgot that lady in section 223, row B, seat 4. The one in the tight white blouse and tight brown skirt. Madame, you held the attention of at least 15 men behind and around you as you danced to the music. Your sultry, seductive moves as the song, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” played made me a believer!!. I have to call it controlled sensuality. Your dancing had intent written in it, but like the song, you

didn’t let it all go. Wow! I guess what I am saying is this: YOU STILL GOT IT, AND DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE !!! And that guy you were with sure better be grateful!!!

-Robert Lawhon