TOM KEIFER @ Green Bay Distillery – Green Bay, WI

October 24, 2019

Review by Makena Betler
Photos by David Urmanski

www.Facebook.com/TomKeiferOfficial

THE BAND: TOM KEIFER
Tom Keifer – Vocals, Guitar & Keys
Savannah Keifer – Vocals, Percussion & Piano
Tony Higbee – Guitar & Vocals
Billy Mercer – Bass Guitar & Vocals
Kendra Chantelle – Vocals & Percussion
Jarred Pope – Drums & Vocals
Kory Myers – Keyboards & Vocals

Best known as front man, founder, and lead vocalist of 80’s hair metal band, Cinderella, Tom Keifer stopped by the Green Bay Distillery in support of his latest studio album Rise for an evening full of throwbacks, new tracks and an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm. Originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cinderella was one of many hair/glam metal bands that ruled the 1980’s. With hits like Shake Me, Gypsy Road and Nobody’s Fool, the band was adored by millions, including Jon Bon Jovi, who helped the band get signed to their first record deal with Mercury/Polygram Records.

Within a few years of Cinderella’s debut album release Night Songs, Tom severely injured his vocal chords leading to extensive surgeries and necessary breaks from the band and touring. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the last time this problem would occur, resulting in vigorous daily vocal routines for Keifer. Finally in 2013, Tom released his debut solo album, The Way Life Goes, which had been in the works for nearly a decade, thus bringing to fruition the Tom Keifer Band.

Opening with the first track from Tom Keifer’s latest solo album, Touching the Divine was the perfect prelude to kick off the Thursday evening show. The low hum of the song intro gave rise to the intensity that would soon fill the near capacity room. Once the lights lit to peak brightness, the band and crowd of concert-goers began the concert in fervent unison with Keifer leading the charge for what was going to be nearly two hours of pure, unadulterated energy. Wasting no time, the band played forever familiar Cinderella tunes Night Songs and Coming Home. Fast forwarding to 2013, the next number up was It’s Not Enough from Tom’s debut solo album, The Way Life Goes. Alternating songs between new tunes and classic hits proved to keep the spirited audience engaged, involved and wanting more.

As Tony Higbee and Jarred Pope started the familiar intro to Somebody Save Me, the audience went wild. It was as if everyone was pulled back in time to the year 1986, listening to it on the car radio and wearing their favorite jean jacket over their wornout Poison t-shirt. Wasting no time, Tom expressed his appreciation to the crowd as well as Green Bay in general for the support he has received over the years while pitching his latest album while his stage crew pushed out a piano so Keifer could perform his latest single and title track Rise. The room then went silent as the crowd became captivated by the passion and emotion exuding from center stage. Tom then transitioned to one of the 80’s most popular ballads, Nobody’s Fool, while reclaiming the potency of his performance.

Before playing all-things Cinderella, the band dipped back into the album, The Way Life Goes, with Solid Ground. At this point, the set was half over, but Tom and the band showed no signs of stopping. With constant band interaction and an inextinguishable connection to the crowd, it made it extremely difficult for the onlookers to stand still. Leading into the second half of the show, there was an extended mashup of Bad Seamstress Blues and Fallin’ Apart at The Seams, transitioning into The Last Mile. It was awe-inspiring to witness the chemistry the band had onstage, embracing how each bandmate was devoted and eager to carry on the legacy of Cinderella songs to perfection 25-plus years after there initial release.

Smiling ear to ear, Tom then pulled his wife and backup singer, Shannon Snow, center stage to perform Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) as he played the piano with her sitting next to him to share the intimate moment with the crowd. Quick to keep the 80’s vibe going, the room once again came alive as the audience grooved with the band to Shake Me and Shelter Me…two of Cinderella’s most well-known songs. With a quick wave of the hand, the band exited stage left to the faithful trust of the crowd that the band would quickly reappear before bringing the night to an end. After a few moments of chanting and cheering, the band came back for more.

Long Cold Winter started the encore trio, continuing with Death of Me before ending with iconic Cinderella hit from 1988, Gypsy Road. Tom looked to the audience for help with the chorus and they graciously obliged and did not disappoint as the room clamored with vocals, low to high, from front to back before finally closing out the night as if reaching the destination of a highly-anticipated journey.

In many cases, bands from the 70’s and 80’s tend to lose their luster and passion when performing the same songs decade after decade. The Tom Keifer Band is the exception to this generality and I am confident the fans that filled the Green Bay Distillery Thursday night would continue to show their appreciation and support time and time again when Tom and his band come to town as each member poured their heart out for the entire set. The show was absolutely incredible from the second the Tom Keifer Band stepped on stage to the final bow and for that reason Green Bay is grateful for the visit.

SETLIST: *Indicates Cinderella Songs
Touching the Divine
Night Songs*
Coming Home*
It’s Not Enough
Somebody Save Me*
Rise
Nobody’s Fool*
Solid Ground
Bad Seamstress Blues*/Fallin’ Apart at The Seams*
The Last Mile*
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) *
Shake Me*
Shelter Me*