Rocklahoma: Day 1
Poison, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Slaughter, White Lion, Y & T and more ...
Pryor, Oklahoma
July 12-15, 2007

by Steve Trager
Staff Writer

Comments: What started out as just an e-mail that seemingly spread much like a wildfire to millions, ended up to be a history-making rock event that combined both "Hair Metal" and "Glam Rock." Rocklahoma was held on the grounds of an outdoor festival-type venue in Pryor, Okla., just outside of Tulsa. It created enough hype for hungry rock fanatics to come from as far as Europe to catch their favorite bands that brought back blissful memories for three consecutive days. It had a roster of talent that stapled the ‘80s as being the best era of music for many of us growing up as kids.

I knew, after looking at this lineup, that I wanted to go and come back with as many archived concert images from each day as possible. To me, this was a trip of a lifetime. Even the most precisely planned schedule can easily fall to the wayside, such as missing at least three bands, including Lillian Axe, who I haven't seen since 1991. However, after getting credentialed, I managed to catch a song or two of KISS ARMY, which re-creates the landmark performances of the real McCoy and always includes the fire-breathing antics on "God of Thunder," which is one of many cult classics that this band does quite well.

While going over the schedule, we heard there was to be a surprise guest. Well, I wouldn't say it was a surprise, but a well-rounded super line-up that featured members of L.A. Guns and Bang Tango at hand kicking out some great covers. However, the night wouldn't have been complete without former GNR drummer Steven Adler, who shared the spotlight as they performed several songs, rounding out with "Welcome to the Jungle." As if that was any indication that the next three days would certainly rip your ass in half with all the ‘80s rock one can tolerate, then this show was one hell of a party. You want something to go home with as part of a souvenir from this history-making event? I saw every type of shirt available, ranging from hoodies, to women's baby-doll tees. They say the first day is like the pick of the crop: either you get what's hot or you come home empty handed. Just looking around at the thousands of Rocklahoma items up for anyone's grab, I knew I better get something or if I waited until Sunday, there wouldn't be anything left. After getting in late from Tulsa and missing several bands that were listed that day, I still managed to check out the entire venue to get an idea of what to expect for three solid days of blissful rock.

Technically, Friday was supposed to be the first day. But one never knows if a history-making event like that can turn into a week of partying. We often forget how much we love the music, yet half these bands have changed line-ups over a period of time. Some I really never recognized. Some I did from a real long time ago. So they say the music speaks for itself even with several bands with various line-up changes. Despite waking to morning rain, the first day of Rocklahoma seemed to be a great day after catching a few bands from the night before. I hoped it would turn out nice and sunny despite the heat and humidity. It was pretty much a piece of cake to tolerate a sweltering hot day while shooting at an outdoor concert. In between the scheduled press conferences, I managed to catch a few songs of White Lion's set: "Hungry,” "Lady of The Valley," "When The Children Cry" and their cover of Golden Earring's "Radar Love." After all these years of never seeing Mike Tramp belt out the old favorites like these, he still sounded great, even without Vito Bratta, who co-wrote all those wonderful hits that put this band on the map back in the late ‘80s.

Among many California native bands was Y&T. With actually never seeing these guys belt out any hit, you can never compare what you hear on CD to a live show; everything sounds different. But in this case, the popular songs that these guys wrote back in the ‘80s still sounded freshly polished and newly rejuvenated as they kicked out in the opening set with "Black Tiger" going through other amazing songs that have built their signature sound with "Summer Time Girls," "Don't Stop Runnin’," "Midnight In Tokyo" and "Forever.” Still, these songs never sounded better, much like a fine wine in a taste test.

As the day progressed into the mid-afternoon, with the heat index well over the 90-degree mark, Slaughter took to the Rocklahoma stage and really ripped into all the hits. But a few things were missing here. Longtime bassist Dana Strum wasn't on stage with Mark like the good ‘ole days, and, of course, in spirit was Tim Kelly along with this strange line-up. However, I think the whole show happens to be Mark anyway. He's written all the hits, and without him, there wouldn't be Slaughter period. Still, these songs the band collected over the years managed to get everyone on their feet with "The Wild Life,” "Fly To The Angels," and no Slaughter show would be complete without their hit-making song "Up All Night." One thing about Mark’s voice is that he can still wail on that song. He seemed to be in rare form and full of energy to boot. With these types of shows, with just one stage, you have to sit through set changes before the next band begins to kick ass.

Right around 8:30 p.m., we had the greatest pleasure to rock out to the ever-popular Quiet Riot. This band has a tapestry of hits and a shitload of recordings under their belt. One thing I would have liked to have seen is the original line-up, especially for this rare appearance in front of thousands of people on the first night on the grounds at Rocklahoma 2007. I don't think anyone would have gone home happy without hearing those all-time grand songs that we have come to really expect, especially with the likes of “Mental Health," which made a staple in their musical career both on rock radio and MTV - when MTV was great, that is. Despite the line-up change here, Quiet Riot still rocked like a gem of a band.

There was another long set change and sound check from Quiet Riot to the infamous rockers Ratt, who actually has Pearcy back in the fold. Nothing says Ratt without Stephen. His great stage presence and superior vocals took this band and shaped their history back in the ‘80s with several hits from Out Of The Cellar. Despite his vocals that some say sounds just a tad raspy, he still managed to hold it together as they kicked many hits in the nighttime heat to a packed crowd. Pulling out all the hits we have come to much expect, their Rocklahoma set list included "Lay It Down," "Wanted Man," "Back For More" and "Round and Round." Just watching Warren DeMartini rip on the guitar was always a show in itself. From changing guitars left and right, to belting out some serious solos made watching a few songs of Ratt's set such an enjoyable experience as always.

I can never say anything bad about Poison and their shows. They are always GREAT, always energetic and well worth sticking around until the wee hours of the morning, even at this stage at Rocklahoma. It began with a super-long set change and sound check over and over just so it can be perfect before they took to the stage. Perhaps they went on late since this was a typical no-holds barred show, with no time constraint as far as performing goes. I know they played well past 1 a.m. and played every hit that made this band from day No. 1. I, personally, don't think they could ever leave out any song and leave any fan disappointed at any given Poison rock show.

Throughout the years I’ve watched this band graciously age with sheer talent, they still can kick major ass. Even if they would play at 2 a.m., Poison would still pack ‘em in to a full house and rip the place apart with just one song. A great day was had by all with Poison's amazing set list, which goes something like this: “Look What The Cat Dragged In,” “I Want Action,” “Ride The Wind,” “I Won' t Forget You,” “What I like About You,” C.C. Deville's great guitar solo, “Georgia,” “I Hate Every Bone In Your Body,” “Something To Believe In,” “Can't You See,” “Your Momma Don't Dance,” “I Need To Know,” Drum Solo, “Unskinny Bop,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Fallen Angel,” “Talk Dirty To Me” and “Nothing But a Good Time.”

This was one hell of a day at Rocklahoma. There were six amazing bands sharing the same stage, belting out some of the best core rock that anyone had grown up listening to as a youngster. I, myself, had always been partial to the ‘80s. Hell, that's all I listened to was the ‘80s bands, which has been my rock roots ‘til this day. One can always look forward, but you can never forget the great ‘80s that gave us such a momentous period of time when music shaped our generation, both, inside and out.

Rocklahoma Photo Gallery

Photos provided by Steve Trager.