A Savannah Center packed with ‘60s’ Survivors made it clear Monday that they “don’t need no ghetto scenes or war machines.”
That lyric comes from one of the Guess Who’s best songs – “American Woman.” It was part of two, sold out, ear-blasting, head-banging and foot-stomping shows. Drummer Garry Peterson is the lone remaining original member of the Guess Who, but the new guys burned life into the Canadian band’s hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“I’m about 110 years old,” Peterson joked early in the concert. No one could ever replace original members Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, but the new Guess Who crew provided plenty of punch and wild gyrations – not to mention steaming guitar licks.
The lead singer goes by the name of “D#” and Mister Sharp was kind of a cross between David Lee Roth and Mick Jagger. He has long flowing blond locks and wiggled, squirmed with arousing joy. He seemed be sliding and diving on the stage all night long.
But the guy can rock. He brought fever-pitch energy and vocal electricity to such Guess Who classics as “Shaking All Over,” “No SugarTonight,” “Clap For the Wolfman” and “Hand Me Down World.”
This Guess Who had a real metal edge, and why not with bass player Rudy Sarzo. The long-haired dude played with Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and Quiet Riot.
A guitarist dubbed Will E delivered plenty of sonic booms, while Leonard Shaw supplied the keyboards and also contributed a jazzy flute solo on “Undone.”
“That’s my favorite Guess Who song,” Peterson said.
D# got the crowd going early on.
“I want you to stand and get out of your golf carts, and use your walkers if you have to,” he said, sizing up the crowd. Before long everyone was up, clapping and shouting with “No Sugar Tonight.”
“Our first big hit came in 1965 and we did it first at a TV studio in Winnipeg,” Peterson said. Then he started pounding out the beat to another explosive number, “Shaking All Over.”
The song was extended with a couple of searing guitar solos by D# and Will E. They fenced with each other, as if the guitars were swords and both of them were down on their knees on stage.
A couple of slower, newer songs set the stage for the big finish –“American Woman.” The singer was running from one side of the stage to another, leading cheers and then he ripped into a ‘60s’ guitar rocking anthem. Once again, the band added a crunching metal sound to the song and it was as powerful as ever.
“That song and this group was a part of the greatest era for rock and roll,” said Villager Sandy Houser, who attended the show with her husband John. “This is party music and this is what rock and roll is all about, and I’m having a great time,” John said.
“I got goose bumps,” said Sal Salvucci. “I saw the Guess Who 30 years and they are still great.”
