Night Ranger July 4 2025

  Another free show at my hometown Fourth of July celebration "The Haynes Apperson Festival". This is another band I've never really followed. I knew some of their songs, I just didn't know they were theirs. Except "Sister Christian". Everyone that listened to popular music in the early to mid 1980's knew that was Night Ranger. I'm sure it was their biggest hit, but not my favorite song. As a matter of fact, it was the song that kept me from looking further into their music. I'm sorry that happened now. I missed out on a lot of good Rock n Roll music. The main reason I wanted to go was to see Brad Gillis, the guitar player. Before Night Ranger hit the mainstream, Brad was given the task of filling the shoes of Randy Rhoads in Ozzy Osbourne's band. Most people know the story, but if not here's a quick recap. 

 Randy Rhoads was a gifted guitar player that helped Ozzy start his solo career by recording two of the most influential albums in Heavy Metal history (The Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of A Madman). While on tour, Randy and a few others died in a crazy airplane crash. Leaving Ozzy without a guitar player to finish the tour. After a very short time off the Diary of A Madman tour resumed with on Bernie Torme from Ian Gillan's band for about 9 shows if memory serves me right. And then in steps Brad Gillis. I listened to many bootleg recordings over the years of shows that Brad did, and he may not be Randy Rhoads, but he is definitely a Hell of a guitar player in his own right! And he also recorded the live album "Speak of The Devil" with Ozzy covering a bunch of Black Sabbath songs. Oddly enough, across the pond in Jolly Olde England, The stage was being set for Ozzy's farewell performance. My personal opinion is that Brad should have been there along with his other former bandmates to jam with The Boss (as Zakk Wylde would say), but alas Brad was in Kokomo Indiana getting ready to play with his own band, and I was going to be there to watch. 

 Originally, I was going to go to the show by myself or possibly with my wife, get some pictures, and cut out early. But after talking to my friend Mike on the way home from the Weird Al show the night before, I found out Mike was a big fan and wanted to go to the show too. So we stayed for the whole show. And I'm glad I did. Here's the set list and some of my favorite pictures.

(You Can Still) Rock In America

The Star Spangled Banner (with Brad Gillis Guitar Solo)

Four In The Morning

Sing Me Away

Coming Of Age

Sentimental Street

School's Out

Crazy Train

Night Ranger

High Enough

When You Close Your Eyes

Don't Tell Me You Love Me

Sister Christian

 I really liked a lot of what I heard. I'm still not crazy about Sister Christian. But I'm definitely a fan of the rest.   

Weird Al Yankovic July 3 2025

  This was not a show that was on my radar. Not that I'm not a fan, I just never actually considered going to see Weird Al live. Mike bought the tickets for this one because he mainly wanted to see the opening act, Puddle's Pity Party. So I went along. Mike has came to shows with me for bands that he wouldn't normally go see, and I like Weird Al, so no problem there. Plus, there was a stop along the way I wanted to make. I am a photography nut (not that yo could tell from the shitty pics from my phone I post of the shows I've been to) and a history nerd. So I wanted to make a stop at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis before we went to the show. A cemetery with A U.S. President and Public Enemy #1. And one of the coolest mausoleums I have ever seen!

                                                                  Benjamin Harrison

                                                                     John Dillinger

                                                      Yes That castle is a mausoleum!

 After that, we hit up the Guggman Haus Brewing Company for some tasty Beer and a Coney Dog.

 Then, on to the show. Like I said earlier, The opener was Puddle's Pity Party. Now don't get me wrong, the guy can sing! He's got a great voice and he did have an entertaining show. But. I think he needs an actual band. I wouldn't pay to much to see a clown do Karaoke. Mike enjoyed it, and since he bought the tickets, that's all that matters. I guess I enjoyed it to. I'm not sure if this is the right setlist or not. Here's the setlist from his next show and it looks like the same set. And a pic.

 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows

Come Cry With Me

Crazy Train

Afraid Of Nothing

Estoy Sentado Aqui

Come On Up To The House

In The End

Stairway To Gilligan's Island

My Heart Will Go On/Enter Sandman/One

 We were sitting in the lawn and the guy next to us was getting sloppy drunk. He made the couple behind him miss most of the show. Why would you spend that much money on a ticket just to get shit faced drunk and start arguing with your adult kids that came with you. I doubt he saw any of the show. Oh well, he was annoying but didn't ruin my show. He annoyed Mike a little more and that sucks, but it didn't get to far out of hand thankfully. 

 I have been a fan of Al's since I was about 10 years old. Whenever the "Eat It" video hit MTV. It never crossed my mind that he actually did concerts. I don't know why. Any who, thanks to Mike I was about to enjoy a slice of my childhood. Here's the setlist.

Tacky

Roadie Solo

Mission Statement

Polkamania!

Drum Solo

Everything You Know Is Wrong

One More Minute

Smells Like Nirvana

Dare To Be Stupid

Medley : Party In The CIA/It's All About The Pentiums/Bedrock Anthem/My Bologna/Ricky/ Ode To A   Superhero/ I Love Rocky Road/Eat It/Like A Surgeon/Word Crimes/Canadian Idiot

Fat

Captain Underpants Theme

Now You Know

What Is Life

It's My World (And We're All Living In It)

Skipper Dan

Drum Solo (because they were 38 seconds ahead of schedule)

Ebay

Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me

White And Nerdy

Amish Paradise

We All Have Cell Phones

The Saga Begins

Yoda

 The pictures are crappy, but the show was awesome. The band was amazing. There were costume changes and movie clips and a lot of songs I've never heard. I'm going to have to look into them a little bit closer. They finished the show with some sort of choreographed chant that was quite impressive. The only thing I was upset about was that "Eat It" was not played in it's entirety. And I would have liked to hear "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" but hey, he can't play them all. Anyway, I had a blast! Thanks Mike!