Rosie (Reunion Show)
Alrosa Villa
Columbus, Ohio
29 December, 2007

by Chris A.
Staff Writer

Comments: If you’re not familiar with the early '80’s hard-rockers Rosie, you’re forgiven, but man, you missed something special back in the day! Formed by former Godz guitarist (and current Silver Bullet Band member) Mark Chatfield, Rosie’s brand of rock ‘n’ roll was balls-to-the-wall arena rock. Rosie’s most famous lineup featured the aforementioned Chatfield, Carl Shelor, Ed Means, Robert West and Bob Boos. Their Ohio fanbase was so rabid that when national acts such as Journey, Jefferson Starship, Kansas and Night Ranger wanted to insure a sell-out in the Buckeye state, Rosie was added to the bill.

Over the course of the '80s decade, the band released three albums, its most notable, Precious Metal Rosie lineup would see various changes as members relocated or pursued other opportunities. However, as long as Rosie remained a viable act they were a stalwart of rock in Columbus.
Eventually the “revolving door” of musicians took its toll, and original members Shelor and Means felt the credibility and integrity of the “Rosie” sound has been diluted to the point where it was time to take a break ... but not a breakup. As a band, Rosie faded away but it was more like a hiatus than a full-fledged band breakup.

Over the subsequent years, Rosie “variants” would gather and play the occasional gig. The last “official” show was in 1996 with female rocker Lita Ford. Over the years, the core members of Rosie never lost contact and the urge to get together and play live continued to pop up. In 2004 Rick Cautela, owner of the Alrosa Villa, convinced the original lineup to reform for a single show scheduled for Dec. 31, 2004. Three weeks prior to the performance, tragedy struck at the Alrosa Villa. For several months the venue shut its doors and the Rosie reunion performance never happened.

Fast forward to December 2007. With the horrific events of three years ago behind them, the owners, employees and fans of the Alrosa Villa worked hard and revived perhaps the most famous local rock’n’roll venue in the United States. In late 2007 Cautela picked up the phone and once again Rosie was booked to reform and play the Alrosa Villa.

For Rosie, the Alrosa Villa was its “home turf” in Columbus, Ohio. The city, the venue and the fans never wavered in its loyalty to the hard rocking band. For the first time in more than 20 years, the most famous lineup in Rosie history would reform. The announcement resulted in an almost immediate sellout and fans eagerly awaited the Dec. 29 performance.

The performance was simply stellar. Chatfield, Shelor, Means, West and Boos put on a rousing 20-plus song performance, featuring Rosie anthems like “Fallin,” “Under Control,” “I Don’t Wanna Know Why” plus even a few covers of Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. This was a kick ass show with 600 plus patrons absolutely loving the experience. There are hopes that in the summer of 2008 Rosie will once again step beneath the lights at the Alrosa Villa.

For more information on Rosie visit www.rosieband.com. Additional photos of the reunion show can be seen at www.chrisa.us