Live Review: The Dead Daisies - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
7th December 2022
Support: Graham Bonnet, FM
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
Christmas is just round the corner, which generally means one thing… those gig goers amongst us are in our element as hundreds of bands all get out to put on one last tour before the year is out. Tonight at the legendary KK’s Steel Mill it’s the turn of rock supergroup The Dead Daisies to take the spotlight.
Opening the three band bill are British rock alumni FM, who are the silky smooth refinement of decades of recording and performing. From the off they mean business, Steve Overland commanding the stage and wielding the mic stand through ‘Syncronised’ and ‘Bad Luck’. The keyboards of Jem Davies add depth to the sound and the fans feed off it.
From the sing along of ‘Killed By Love’ to the set closer ‘Turn This Car Around’ the fans are fully involved, attentive and asking for more. But after a short half hour it is all over for FM.
It’s over to iconic Rainbow frontman Graham Bonnet to keep the room rocking and his short seven song set does just that. Opening with ‘Eyes of the World’ and ‘All Night Long’ is a popular selection as the fans sing along as if their lives depend on it.
Earlier this year the man graced this same stage to rendition us with Rainbows ‘Down to Earth’ album and whilst some of those classics feature again tonight Bonnet and his band mix it up a bit ‘Assault Attack’ and ‘Desert Song’ featuring, giving guitarist Conrado Pestinato a chance to shine.
Whilst Graham’s voice is not what it once was, those high notes may be a stretch too far for a man in his seventies, the set is a demonstration of pure class, highlighted by all time classic ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’.
The Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Aerosmith’s ‘Sweet Emotion’ ring the the house PA as tonight’s headline act prepare to perform, the fans singing along and warming up nicely for the main event. It’s not long until Glenn Hughes, Doug Aldrich, David Lowy and Brian Tichy take to the stage; The Dead Daisies are one of the hottest rock super-groups on the planet will a million and one accolades between them.
Opening with ‘Long Way To Go’ and ‘Unspoken’ the band are off to a roaring start. Glenn Hughes' giant smile tells a tale of a man loving life and his time on stage; Doug Aldrich, a guitarist who commands the fans attention, getting as near to his adoring masses as is possible as he solos his heart out.
Through the bands own material it is onto a few cover numbers mid-set Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son' and Deep Purple’s ‘Mistreated’ performed with grace and a welcome interlude mid set.
A flurry more Dead Daisies numbers follow, ‘Born to Fly’, ‘Burn It Down’ and ‘Shine On’ all showing the versatility of this group of musicians before they close the set with another Deep Purple number, the classic ‘Burn’.
As ever KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton is the place to be, and tonight in the company of Glenn, Doug, David, Brian, Graham and more it has been a phenomenal evening.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
