My stomach is growling just thinking about this show at Ribfest featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Yes, lots of award-winning ribs to be had (I think my fingers were still sticky the following night), but what drove me to head way down south of Miami, to Homestead were two of the more famous rock acts of the 70s: Joan Jett and Blue Öyster Cult.
Jett looked amazing for a rocker who started her band the Runaways (the first all-girl rock group that played their own instruments) in 1975. The sound for the show was clear and excellent for an outdoor venue, and her songs were faithfully re-produced down to the sound of the guitar in “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” (see the last of the Joan Jett clips below). It was hard to get a clear shot of all the songs, but you’ll find some complete songs below. Among those I am sorry to have missed recording but were awesome to experience live were her renditions of “Do You Want to Touch Me There (Oh Yeah)” and “Crimson and Clover,” not to mention her opening classic, “Bad Reputation.”
Here are the clips from Joan Jett’s performance I was able to make:
I was a little further back here, but the last song in this clip is probably her most famous, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”:
Blue Öyster Cult played the warm up act for Jett. With their profane, self-indulgent solos and lyrics like “This city’s aflame with Rock and Roll,” you wonder were Spinal Tap (umlaut over the n, which my computer can’t do– it’s typographically incorrect) got their influence. After two songs on my camera’s memory card, I was out of space to completely record my favorite Cult song, “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” so here’s my second favorite, “I’m Burning For You”:
Several other lesser-known bands played before (mostly local). Upon arrival you could hear a band called Synchronicity playing very faithful versions of Police songs, before Blue Öyster Cult would take the stage. Unfortunately, I did not get to see that group, as that was when we headed to the rib stands. No regrets (“no love, no tears…”).
Joan Jett looks HOT! Great picture by the way 😉
Big Ribfest error having BOC play before Jet.
BOC was a bigger band in the 70’s and 80’s (albums and ticket sales) and are still a bigger band than Jet will ever be.
Their “self indulgent” solos are why people still go see them. (7th time for me). They know how to play, not just hammering out power cords all night like Jet did. BOC can still hold their own with most of what we have out there today.
Thanks for the videoz!
I must say, BOC’s rambling rock won over a friend I brought along to see them, too. Thanks for the comments!