V.A. – Rock The Plaza: Concert To Save The Historic Plaza Theatre In Palm Springs (2025)

It takes a lot of time, money, and dedication, to restore anything of historical importance. And the ‘Plaza Theatre’ in Palm Springs, California was just the type of venue that required these three key ingredients. Opened to the public for the first time in 1936, this classic Art Deco building was the site of many grand events over the past 100 years.

And so it was on November 11, 2022, spearheaded by Brian Ray (Sir Paul McCartney’s guitar gunslinger for the past 20+ years), a gala fundraiser was held to restore one of Palm Springs’ most treasured landmarks, the historic Plaza Theatre. The show was recorded and now being released as “Rock The Plaza: Concert To Save The Historic Plaza Theatre In Palm Springs“.
Ray and his co-musical director Spike Edney (Queen, Clapton, Elton, Aretha) put together an all-star band to back the four headliners for the evening’s show. And what headliners they were: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Alice Cooper; Paul Rodgers (Bad Company and Free); legendary modern rock artist and Palm Springs native Joshua Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures) and Australian guitar goddess Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Richie Sambora).
The backing band behind these legends in addition to Ray and Edney included Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses), Eric Singer (KISS, Black Sabbath), John Button (The Who, Sheryl Crow) and the guitarist’s guitarist, Pete Thorn. Their musicianship inspired Alice Cooper to say after his set, “what a band… best band in the land right there!”
What made this evening truly memorable were not only the stellar versions of the artists’ classic hits (“School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “All Right Now,” and “I Sat By The Ocean”) but completely unique covers each member of the band contributed… hear Paul Rodgers singing Sam & Dave’s infectious “I Thank You,” Alice Cooper’s triumphant cover of The Who’s “My Generation,” and Orianthi and Brian Ray’s playful version of the Sonny & Cher duet “I Got You Babe” and more!

The concert begins with 4 fully inflated Alice Cooper songs. He’s in fine voice like a true professional. The sound is solid with gripping guitar lines, powerful vocal backup, & theatrical arrangements. “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Under My Wheels,” & the classic “School’s Out,” coupled with Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In the Wall.” Alice gets rousing audience participation that’s emotionally thrilling. AC returns impressively at the end with The Who’s “My Generation.”

Things don’t drag after Alice. Joshua Homme lays down a definitive funky groove on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” with his tonality close enough to Bowie to believe David was resurrected. Scary good. Jay Nailor does it as well on Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel” & the band itself — Bowie-like. Marvellous showing.

While not having the charm of Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Joshua & Orianthi capture the ambience of “Somethin’ Stupid,” & turn in a respectable cover. Orianthi then recreates the musical muscle but not the magic of Nancy’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” It lacks the seductive attitude of the original. Not something easily captured by singing well. I do give her credit for the effort.
On Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe”, Orianthi & Brian Ray sing well but lack the swagger of Sonny & Cher. Their performance is admirable anyway. They’re not trying to emulate – just bring forth honest nostalgia. And they did.

Paul Rodgers energetically revisits his classics “Can’t Get Enough” & “Feel Like Makin’ Love” superbly. The finale is his classic Free song “All Right Now,” reproduced marvelously. This is a great way to wrap up the show.
The album has all the rock veracity intact, fluent & dynamic. A great concert.
Highly Recommended

 

01 – Alice Cooper – No More Mister Nice Guy (Live at The Plaza)
02 – Alice Cooper – I’m Eighteen (Live at The Plaza)
03 – Alice Cooper – Under My Wheels (Live at The Plaza)
04 – Alice Cooper – School’s Out + Another Brick In The Wall (Live at The Plaza)
05 – Joshua Homme – Let’s Dance (Live at The Plaza)
06 – Josh Homme, Orianthi – Something Stupid (Live at The Plaza)
07 – Orianthi – These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Live at The Plaza)
08 – Orianthi, Brian Ray – I Got You Babe (Live at The Plaza)
09 – Joshua Homme – Right Down The Line (Live at The Plaza)
10 – Joshua Homme – I Sat By The Ocean (Live at The Plaza)
11 – Paul Rodgers – Can’t Get Enough (Live at The Plaza)
12 – Paul Rodgers – I Thank You (Live at The Plaza)
13 – Paul Rodgers – Feel Like Makin’ Love (Live at The Plaza)
14 – Jay Nailor – Rebel Rebel (Live at The Plaza)
15 – Alice Cooper – My Generation (Live at The Plaza)
16 – Paul Rodgers – All Right Now (Live at The Plaza)

Spike Edney (keys/vocals)
Brian Ray (guitars/vocals)
Matt Sorum & Eric Singer (drums/vocals)
Pete Thorn (guitar/vocals)
Jon Button & Bernt Bodal (bass)
Teddy Andreadis (keys/vocals)
with:
Matt McKenna & Job Pritzker (acoustic guitars)
John Philip Shenale (orchestral keys)

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