Neil Young and his music came late to me. I certainly knew of him, largely from the “Harvest” album of 1972 and the monster hit, “Heart of Gold.” Everything changed when my friend Brian introduced me to “Decade” while we were roommates at Carbondale in early 1979. A three album set, loaded with songs that resonated with me. The door was blown open, I began purchasing his back catalog as fast as I could afford them. Seeing him live became a top priority.
Young marches to his own drum. In 1978, with his band Crazy Horse, they toured ahead of the release of “Rust Never Sleeps,” defying the norm of touring upon the release. Unless one was already a fan, there was no new music to spark interest in seeing a show. “Rust Never Sleeps” became huge, turned a lot of people on, but the tour was over. Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda.
Warren Zevon was an immediate admiration after the release of “Excitable Boy,” his second record. Lyrics are everything to me, throw a warped sense of humor on top of it. Ray Davies, John Prine, and John Entwistle, are masters. Zevon may have been the best, though he wrote ballads that that can bring you to tears. Another must see.
The chance to see both of them for the first time came in January of 1983. A night apart, in different cities, while I was attending WIU in Macomb. I would not be denied (pun intended, using a Young title.)
Mr. Young rolled into Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, MO on Sunday, January 30th promoting the “Trans” album, a synth-driven record receiving lukewarm (at best) reviews, and for good reason. Anyone expecting the hard driving sound of Crazy Horse was in for disappointment, it was nothing like the previous release. No band for this tour either, it was to be a solo, acoustic show. Guitars and two pianos.
It was a solo trip for me from Macomb to south county St. Louis on that Sunday afternoon, meeting up with friends at Tony and Susie’s place. We’d hang out, then head to the show later. Brian and Sarah, Tony and Susie, Jim and Jane, and me. It was Super Bowl Sunday to boot. The horrible, wretched sounds of REO Speedwagon’s “High Infidelity” filled the air as we snacked and visited.
We all set together. Main floor, stage left, about 40 rows back. The anticipation was high for all of us, as none of us, though fans, had seen him in concert. Preshow activities included large, on stage video screens and a “broadcaster” interviewing fans as they arrived, asking them what their favorite album was. There were also updates on the Super Bowl, which had begun, between the Redskins and Dolphins.
The show fell far short, disappointing all of us. The set list was impressive. looking back, maybe even more so now. “Don’t be Denied” was my favorite of the night. but one man, playing to 10,000 in a large arena, didn’t cut it. Low energy, and mutated reworks of classics like “Mr. Soul” didn’t work at all. We knew what we were getting into, just not to the level it was.
It was a deflated, three hour drive back to Macomb, with a 10 a.m class on deck for Monday, a long day, once again, full of anticipation and optimism. As soon as that class was over, Jim Keating and I climbed into my RX-7 for a 4:45 trip, this time to Carbondale. It was Monday, January 31st, Young was in the rearview mirror, Warren Zevon was ahead, playing a solo show in the small, Shryock Auditorium on campus. For this one, I had photo credentials through The WIU student newspaper, The Courier.
“The Zev” was on the road to promote his fifth album, “The Envoy.” Shryock seats 1,200, other than that it was to be the same scenario as the night before. One man, a few guitars, an upright piano and a Steinway. How would this one go? Jim joined our mutual friends in seats, I settled into the orchestra pit, just below the edge of the stage and very deep, making photos difficult.
As Zevon walked on stage, the crowd sang him “Happy Birthday” (it had been Jan. 24th), then he dug in. He killed it. Great show, great energy, great set list (including a Rolling Stones cover).
When it was over, Jim and I said our goodbyes to our pals and headed back to Macomb, arriving somewhere around 4 a.m. I wrote a story and submitted photos to The Courier. The student activities person at Carbondale had asked me to send him a copy of the review. I did when it published. He responded, “I love it! I’m sending a copy to Zevon’s management.”
Two firsts in two nights. I didn’t give up on Young, and have seen him on one variation or another a total of 14 times. He’s much better with “Crazy Horse” behind him. Zevon was much the same, fine solo, but with a band…It’s the energy! I caught Warren five more times, two of them were New Year’s Eve shows in Chicago.
A lot of highway time for music, but worth every bit of it. I had just turned 24 days before these shows and carried the attitude of the title of a Zevon song. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.”
Page 1 of review of Neil Young and Warren Zevon concerts for Western Courier.
Conclusion/Jump page review of Neil Young and Waren Zevon for Western Courier.
Warren Zevon, January 31st, 1983 in Carbondale, IL
