Hair metal acts coming together for concert

Vince Neil seems to have rebounded quickly from kidney stone surgery in Australia.

It’s quite the weekend for that ’80s breed of rock affectionately known as “hair metal.” The Hard Rock’s Def Leppard run may get more attention, but today’s “Bob Rocks” concert at the Orleans Arena has strength in numbers.

Named for the mythical head of the “plays everything” radio station KVGS-FM, 107.9, today’s lineup of four bands creates a zone defense for the Leppards.

Vince Neil will fly solo here, but Motley Crue had “Girls, Girls Girls” on the charts in 1987, forcing Leppard to share its “Animal” airwaves. Neil seems to have rebounded quickly from kidney stone surgery in Australia last week.

Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” is featured in The Venetian’s Broadway show “Rock of Ages.” The musical is named for a Leppard song that came out in 1983, a year before “Sister Christian.” (Jack Blades of Night Ranger co-wrote Neil’s immortal single “You’re Invited (But Your Friend Can’t Come).” Think Vince will invite him out to help sing it?)

“Cum on Feel the Noize” is also in “Rock of Ages,” and Quiet Riot’s version ran neck and neck on the charts with Leppard’s “Foolin’ ” in the fall of 1983.

And “Rocket” was still keeping Leppard’s “Hysteria” album on the radio when Skid Row had a hit with “18 and Life” in 1989.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@
reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.