Review: Scorpions & Skid Row – Las Vegas

Two years ago, my sister Kimberly told me she’d bought a ticket to see the Scorpions in Las Vegas, where they were set to do a residency at Planet Hollywood. I decided I wanted to go, too, to help her celebrate her 50th birthday, and to see a band that’s rocked the world for half a century. The date of the original concert was July 18, 2020, the day after my sister’s birthday. 

Perfect, right?

Not so fast.

COVID arrived in January 2020, and in March, the world shut down for 18 long months. The Scorpions postponed their Vegas residency with no word as to when (or whether) the shows would happen. We were glad they didn’t cancel outright and held onto our tickets, instead of asking for refunds. Since we were still able to travel, Kimberly and I flew to Vegas anyway, to visit our sister Sharon, who lives there. Our other sister Karen flew out from New Jersey with her daughter and granddaughter, and we had a wonderful time together. 

Fast forward to 2022. COVID is still here, although weakened by time, variants, and the protection of vaccines and boosters. However, the virus cut a deadly swath across the globe, killing millions and sickening millions more. Countries, states, and cities are cautiously (and not cautiously) rolling out welcome mats, opening businesses, restaurants, and shops; resuming sporting events, movies in theaters, and live entertainment.

The Scorpions announced new Vegas residency dates. Kimberly and I learned our show was rescheduled to April 9, 2022, so plans were made, and flights booked. Our sister Sharon was ready to welcome us back to her home for a quick weekend. Kim had just begun a new job and I was in the middle of a school year as a high school teacher. But, we were as excited as the 20 and 14-year-olds we were when we first saw the Scorps play at Madison Square Garden on June 7, 1984, with Bon Jovi opening. This time around, another New Jersey band was in the opening slot: Skid Row, with a new powerhouse singer and the same kickass attitude.

First, let me talk about Zappos Theater, the auditorium at Planet Hollywood. Some of you may remember the venue as the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. It’s a cozy place, with seating for about 7,000 people, including two mini mosh pit-type areas in front of the stage. My sister and I sat in Section 207, Row A. We had a great view of the stage.

The show was scheduled to start at 8:00 pm. I’m not sure whether Skid Row took the stage at exactly 8:00, but they were pretty damn close, powering into life with Slave to the Grind, off the album of the same name). They followed with Big Guns (Skid Row) and 18 and Life (Skid Row), which brought the crowd to its feet. Longtime band members Dave “Snake” Sabo (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass), Scotti Hill, (guitar), and Rob Hammersmith (drums) were in fine form. New singer Erik Gronwall’s powerful voice deftly handled the demanding vocals, staying true to these classic Skid Row songs, while adding his own unique flair. Erik owned the stage, running from one side to the other, and even climbing into the pit with the fans. 

For those not familiar, Erik came to prominence as the original lead vocalist for the Swedish metal band, H.E.A.T. His star rose another notch when he was cast in the role of Simon Zealotes in the live concert version of Jesus Christ, Superstar (with John Legend in the role of Jesus). He stepped away from H.E.A.T. following a cancer diagnosis (acute lymphocytic leukemia) and underwent treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. Exactly one year later, Skid Row announced Erik as their new lead singer, recorded and released a new song and video, The Gang’s All Here, and jetted to Vegas to open for the Scorps. Watching Erik onstage, anyone not familiar with his cancer battle would be shocked to learn he had been so ill just one year ago. 

Skid Row completed their set with Piece of Me (Skid Row), Livin’ on a Chain Gang (Slave to the Grind), Monkey Business (Slave to the Grind), I Remember You (Skid Row) <- another huge singalong hit, the new song, The Gang’s All Here (which was well-received), and closed out with another classic hit, Youth Gone Wild (Skid Row). If openers were allowed encores, the enthusiastic crowd at Zappos Theater would have demanded one. The guys left everything on stage. 

During the intermission, my sister and I chatted with the people sitting on either side of us. One couple had flown to Vegas from Florida for the show. The husband is a Scorpions fan, while the wife was there for Skid Row. The two women sitting next to my sister flew in from San Diego and are lifelong Scorps fans. They’ve seen the band in concert many times and are planning a trip to see the band perform in their hometown of Hannover, Germany (that concert is scheduled for Friday, May 19th, if you’re interested in going). When the lights went down, the crowd roared with anticipation.

The Scorpions kicked off its set with Gas in the Tank, from their new album, Rock Believer, followed by Make it Real, off of Animal Magnetism. Guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs crisscrossed the stage, while Klaus Meine’s still-powerful voice hit all the notes. Bassist Pawel Maciwoda and drummer Mikkey Dee kept up a furious beat.  Next up – another classic – The Zoo, complete with audience singalong. The Scorpions’ high-power set included many singalongs and was peppered with instrumentals, to give Klaus little breaks. The instrumentals rocked as hard, and a guitarist whose name I didn’t catch joined Matthias, Pawel, and Mikkey later in the show, but he was on fire! 

The set contained a mix of classic and new songs, including Coast to Coast (Lovedrive), Seventh Son (Rock Believer), Peacemaker (Rock Believer), and Bad Boys Running Wild (Love at First Sting). Matthias shredded on a solo song, Delicate Dance while Klaus took a break, then returned for an acoustic version of Send Me An Angel (Crazy World). The next song, Wind of Change (Crazy World), which has served as a clarion call for peace and democracy in the former Soviet Union and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, was rewritten to reflect the war and crisis in Ukraine. The stage was lit with blue and yellow lights, while the Ukrainian flag glowed in the background. Words appeared as Klaus sang: 

“Listen to my heart. It says ‘Ukrainian,’ waiting for the wind to change.”

The crowd took part in an epic singalong and shared a rousing cheer when the song ended. The Scorpions picked up the pace with Tease Me, Please Me (Crazy World), Rock Believer (a new anthem!), New Vision – another solo jam with an EPIC drum solo by Mikkey, before closing out the set with Blackout (Blackout) and Big City Nights (Love At First Sting) and spending time thanking the crowd before saying goodnight and leaving the stage.

Opening acts don’t get encores, but headliners do, and after a few minutes of listening to the crowd cheer, whistle, and clap, the boys from Hannover returned for a rousing encore, with No One Like You (Blackout) and Rock You Like a Hurricane (Love at First Sting).

It’s been 38 years since I first witnessed the Scorpions’ ferocity encompass every corner of the iconic Madison Square Garden. The guys may be older but passion continues to emanate from each band member, turning back the hands of time for everyone for 90 minutes. That night, I was 20 again, newly employed at PolyGram Records’ music publishing division as a receptionist, and a fledgling host of a heavy metal show that aired on a small radio station along the Jersey Shore. I left the show feeling rejuvenated, still a “Rock Believer” who’s excited that “The Gang’s (still) All Here.”

The Scorpions and Skid Row wrap up their Planet Hollywood residency with shows tonight, Thursday (April 14), and Saturday (April 16). The Scorps then return to Madison Square Garden on Friday, May 6th, before launching a tour of Europe and Scandinavia. Here’s a link to their tour dates. Connect with the Scorpions on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Skid Row is also hitting the road, both on their own and with Warrant, Winger, and Quiet Riot, as part of the Live to Rock tour. Here’s a link to their tour dates. Keep up with Skid Row on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out more of my sister Kimberly’s photos on Instagram: @rockermom_717