Replacing band members is something that, sadly, is all too common in the music industry. Touring, writing music, being surrounded by the same people for months on end, can take its toll on people’s ability to co-exist. Skid Row went through a very public separation with original vocalist Sebastian Bach. They have since shuffled through a couple different vocalist with the latest being Erik Grönwall. Unfortunately, Grönwall had to leave the band due to health issues. This left Skid Row with a few tour dates left to play, and vocalist spot they needed filled. Instead of finding a tenured vocalist with no active band or hiring a relatively unknown to be the new guy for Skid Row, they created a unique experience in the music industry. Skid Row teamed up with Halestorm’s own Lzzy Hale to jump on board to finish the last dates of the tour. Skid Row x Lzzy Hale was born for only four once in a lifetime show’s that only a select few thousand may get the chance to see. The last of these shows happened to be taking place at the Hard Rock Live in Sacramento, CA, and as it also just so happened, I was up in the area visiting family that weekend. I jumped in a rental car and drove two and a half hours to not miss seeing this one of a kind of special show.

Opening this show was another glam metal star of the 80s sunset strip era with Stephen Pearcy of RATT. Back when Columbia Music Group was around selling CD’s for pennies, I happened to take a chance and purchase RATT’s Out of the Cellar album, hoping it was good. This album helped send me down the rabbit hole of glam metal that laid the foundation for my love of music. Now to finally be seeing Stephen Pearcy playing the best that RATT had to offer, I was ready to rock out. Kicking off the show with one of RATT’s best “Wanted Man,” Pearcy strutted onto the stage with the bravado you would expect to see from a glam metal star. Flaunting his bedazzled codpiece for all to see and be mystified by, and the crowd ate it up. Pearcy bathed in the admiration that the screaming fans had for him, and he gave that love back to us all. This year marks the 40th anniversary of RATT’s Out of the Cellar album, and Pearcy honored us by playing the majority of that album, with hits like “You’re in Trouble,” “I’m Insane,” “Slip of the Lip,” ‘The Morning After,” “Way Cool Jr.,” “Nobody Rides for Free,” “You’re In Love,” “Lay It Down,” “Lack of Communication,” “Back for More,” and ending with their anthem “Round and Round.” 40 years on, and everyone in the crowd, including myself, was happy to be singing right along with Stephen Pearcy as he keeps the music of RATT alive.

While the crew worked to get Skid Row’s stage setup, there was an electricity that could be felt in the crowd. As there was a mix of fans of all ages. Many wearing Skid Row shirts, and plenty wearing Halestorm shirts. So many people understood how special this show was about to be, and we anxiously waited for the notes to ring out of whatever the first song might be. Suddenly, the lights cut out, the screams of the fans are heard, and the racing guitar riff of “Slave to the Grind” is felt blasting out over the speakers. Drummer Rob Hammersmith laid into the hi-hat pushing that beat and the heartbeat of every person in the crowd. The band ran out on stage, followed suit by Lzzy Hale ready to honor a group she grew up idolizing, but now finds herself singing for. Though this was technically a seated show, the very front row was able to run up to the foot of the stage, which amplified Lzzy’s performance as she kneeled and sang right into the faces of these screaming fans. Even handing the mic over to a fan to sing the chorus of “The Threat.” Lzzy Hale was the perfect choice to fill in for these shows. While she has her own voice and sound, she carries a very similar cadence to Sebastian Bach. This took the songs and not just made them sound like they do on record, but enhances them, bringing them to greater heights live.

Having Lzzy Hale on vocals seemed to breath a new life into the rest of Skid Row. Guitarists Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Scotti Hill (who celebrated his 59th birthday the night before. Happy Birthday!) played with extra vigor. Striking down on the strings of their axe with even more passion and throwing more feeling into every bend of the notes. Bassist Rachel Bolan, who normally plays with a scowling take-no-shit attitude, could be caught with the biggest smiles throughout the set. Lzzy fit right in with the rest of Skid Row like they have been performing together for decades. The whole band was frequently sharing moments on stage together, never taking for granted how special of a moment these few shows have been. Skid Row x Lzzy Hale gave us a the best they had to offer with “Big Guns,” “18 and Life,” “Resurrected,” “Piece of Me,” “Livin’ on a  Chain Gang,” “Makin’ a Mess,” “Psycho Therapy,” “Quicksand Jesus,” “Time Bomb,” “I Remember You,” “Monkey Business,” and coming back for a three song encore featuring “Riot Act,” “The Gang’s All Here,” and the seminal “Youth Gone Wild.” With the final song, we got a special treat as Halestorm’s Joe Hottinger came out to help on guitar. Hottinger and Sabo could be seen chumming it up on stage like the oldest of friends. The camaraderie that everyone shared on stage made the audience feel not just connected with the music, but that we had been life long friends with the people playing the music too.  

The venue was sold out with fans of all ages packing in. Though this might not have been the biggest stage production with pyro, fireworks, or confetti canons going off. This show will hold a special moment in the hearts and minds of every person that was able to buy a ticket. It cannot be understated how special this show was. Not just for Skid Row, who were able to team up with one of the most iconic singers in rock and metal currently. For the opportunity that Lzzy had to perform with some of her idols. And for all of us fans that made the trek out to the Hard Rock Live to experience this. I know this will go down as one of the best concert experiences of my life.