Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Jacksonville, FL–
If you are a rock fan and were looking for a great way to kick of the New Year, well then the Florida Theatre was the place to be for a show that is sure to lead into 2017 for both Lita Ford and Bret Michaels on a good note.
As the lead singer of the band Poison, Bret Michaels had six Top 10 Billboard singles including “Unskinny Bop,” “Something To Believe In,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” and the band’s most popular ballad,”Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” which was written by Michaels. He didn’t disappoint tonight as he belted out some of these tunes that kept the packed crowd happy and ready for the new year. Mixing in a little Lynard Skynard with the Jacksonville classic “Oooh That Smell” as part of his set wasn’t too bad either.
As a solo artist, Michaels has reached #1 on the US Hard Rock Chart with his album Custom Built. He has been featured in television shows MTV:Cribs, Celebrity Apprentice (which he won in 2010) and VH1’s Rock of Love. Michaels released a autobiography in 2011 titled Roses and Thorns.
Perhaps the biggest announcement of the night, for those who didn’t already know, was about the return of Poison with Def Leppard this late Spring and Summer. This should be another great tour that has done well in previous years.
If you haven’t seen the opening act for Micheals tonight, Lita Ford, you will know why she has gathered legendary status as one of the female vocalist and guitar players ever afte you see her show live.
As the lead guitarist of The Runaways, Lita Ford played alongside Joan Jett on some of the groups’ most popular songs “Cherry Bomb” and “Queens of Noise.” In the 1980s, Ford topped the charts with her solo hits “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever.” Over her solo career Ford has released eight studio albums, her latest coming in 2012. She is currently working on a new album Time Capsule that should be out sometime this year.
All in all, these two artists still put on a great show and in a place like the Florida Theatre is a great spot to see a show that features what seem to be timeless artists and two that are passionate about keeping the rock alive going into 2017.
