Bob Seger first took the stage in 1961, and 50 years and countless tours later the Detroit rocker says this is probably his farewell run across America. More than a quarter-century removed from his hit-making run through the 1970s and ’80s, 7,720 braved a stormy Tuesday night to flick their Bics, sing along and generally rock out to the vast array of hits and non-radio faves.
Two of the 13 musicians who joined Seger on the stage were original Silver Bullets — bassist Chris Campbell and saxophonist Alto Reed — and this seemed like a show aimed at those who caught onto the group in its earliest days.
The first three Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band albums — “Beautiful Loser,” “Live Bullet” and “Night Moves” — were heavily represented: The “Traveling Man/Beautiful Loser” combo was the highlight of the show, ending the first set with a thunderous, guitar-filled bang. To open the second set Seger pulled out “Nutbush City Limits,” the Tina Turner hit that also was on “Beautiful Loser.” Other unexpected delights included “Sunspot Baby” and “Come to Poppa,” cuts from “Night Moves” that got no radio play; in all, Seger played six of the nine tunes from that multi-platinum classic.
Even someone who grew up on vintage Seger is surely tired by now of “Night Moves,” “Turn the Page” and the even more ubiquitous “Old Time Rock & Roll.” But those songs come alive and even feel fresh when done live. Over the course of 20 songs, followed by two two-song encores, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band delivered a long, strong show for his Arkansas faithful, most of whom likely will never see him again live. Thanks for the memories, Bob.
— Kelley Bass