DETROIT, MI - Joe Walsh was spot-on with his assessment Thursday night during his opening set at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Bob Seger, yes Michigan's own Bob Seger, is indeed a "national treasure."
Beg to differ? Want to challenge that statement?
Good luck trying to sway the opinions of more than 23,000 fans who saw this 67-year-old rock out in the first of his two shows this week at the venue.
Seger, born in Dearborn, displayed so much energy and enthusiasm that he, without a doubt, still knows what it takes to engage his audience.
"Let's go back to 'Live Bullet!" Seger yelled to his crowd, referring to the live album he cut at Detroit's Cobo Hall in 1975. "What'd ya say?"
The crowd certainly was willing to go back in time. He just has that affect on people.
Seger delivered with at least 20 songs and two encores during a two-hour show that displayed plenty of Michigan and Detroit love and rekindled Great Lakes State memories.
A highlight of the night was a performance of "Like a Rock," a song he hadn't performed live in 27 years before this current "Rock N' Roll Never Forgets" tour began.
It's the same song that had a 10-year run in Chevy tuck commercials.
C'mon, you know you know the words.
Accompanied by an 11-piece band, Seger made it clear right off the bat that it was "so good to be home" and acted like it the entire night.
Some of Seger's hits he performed masterfully:
"Rock N' Roll Never Forgets."
"Night Moves"
"Runnin' Against the Wind."
"Come to Papa" - Willie Mitchell cover
"Roll Me Away"
"Trying to Live My Life Without You"
"Fire Down Below"
"Main Street" - Alto Reed sax solo drove the women wild!
"All the Roads" - New song off upcoming album Seger said could be released by the end of August "if we are lucky."
"Travelin' Man"
"Turn the Page"
"Beautiful Loser"
Seger seemed to win over the crowd with his ability to not only rock, but also not take himself too seriously.
He sported a black headband on stage most of night, while dressed in a basic pair of jeans and black t-shirt.
And Seger was often spotted either swaying, gyrating, fist pumping or fist bumping during his set.
"Summer is coming!," Seger yelled to the crowd, before he began to play "Roll Me Away." "And that means one thing to me: motorcycles!"
The fact Seger - he turns 68 next month - still has the ability and passion to ride a Harley and rock the house makes him a member of an elite group.
Add Seger's list the anthems he's created intentionally and unintentionally to honor Michigan and his ability to mix the genres of rock, blues and R&B, and you've an icon unmatched.
Just don't expect him to give that kind of elitist vibe other rock stars tend to exude. That's simply not the persona he gives off to his fans.
It's probably what's made him so likeable after all these years. He's one of us; he's grounded, he's humble and he knows how to grind.
A Twitter user who saw the show said it best in a post during the show when he described Seger as "the awesome uncle everybody loves."
Seger showed his compassion before, during and after his show.
He met 79-year-old Flint native Evie Branan and treated her like a rock star once he found out she had a goal to meet him after she woke up from a five-year coma.
Seger even dedicated his song "Main Street" to her.
"This one is for Evie," Seger yelled. "You're 79 years young, girl!"
Seger does feel a lot like family. Maybe it's that no-nonsense style and casual image he projects.
What ever it is that makes Bob "Bob," he certainly has that special quality that can truly touch your soul and remind you about the memorable twists and turns life creates.
He reminds me how much I love living in Michigan. What does his music mean to you?
This dedicated storyteller clearly has more tales to tell. He mentioned the release of his new album sometime in late August - "if we're lucky."
Let's hold him to it.
Check out MLive Detroit's photo gallery above from show (Walsh was the opener) and some feedback and photos from Twitter users below.
Seger's second show is Saturday at The Palace. A limited number of tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.
Don't be surprised if Kid Rock makes an appearance for the second show.
He lives near the venue, didn't make one Thursday night and has a break from touring before his 27-city summer begins.
Not that Seger ever needs to call for backup; he's still got those "Night Moves," and I'll take his word for it about the "Fire Down Below."
Bob Seger, yes Michigan's own Bob Seger, is indeed a "national treasure."
Beg to differ? Want to challenge that statement?
Good luck trying to sway the opinions of more than 23,000 fans who saw this 67-year-old rock out in the first of his two shows this week at the venue.
Seger, born in Dearborn, displayed so much energy and enthusiasm that he, without a doubt, still knows what it takes to engage his audience.
"Let's go back to 'Live Bullet!" Seger yelled to his crowd, referring to the live album he cut at Detroit's Cobo Hall in 1975. "What'd ya say?"
The crowd certainly was willing to go back in time. He just has that affect on people.
Seger delivered with at least 20 songs and two encores during a two-hour show that displayed plenty of Michigan and Detroit love and rekindled Great Lakes State memories.
A highlight of the night was a performance of "Like a Rock," a song he hadn't performed live in 27 years before this current "Rock N' Roll Never Forgets" tour began.
It's the same song that had a 10-year run in Chevy tuck commercials.
C'mon, you know you know the words.
Accompanied by an 11-piece band, Seger made it clear right off the bat that it was "so good to be home" and acted like it the entire night.
Some of Seger's hits he performed masterfully:
"Rock N' Roll Never Forgets."
"Night Moves"
"Runnin' Against the Wind."
"Come to Papa" - Willie Mitchell cover
"Roll Me Away"
"Trying to Live My Life Without You"
"Fire Down Below"
"Main Street" - Alto Reed sax solo drove the women wild!
"All the Roads" - New song off upcoming album Seger said could be released by the end of August "if we are lucky."
"Travelin' Man"
"Turn the Page"
"Beautiful Loser"
Seger seemed to win over the crowd with his ability to not only rock, but also not take himself too seriously.
He sported a black headband on stage most of night, while dressed in a basic pair of jeans and black t-shirt.
And Seger was often spotted either swaying, gyrating, fist pumping or fist bumping during his set.
"Summer is coming!," Seger yelled to the crowd, before he began to play "Roll Me Away." "And that means one thing to me: motorcycles!"
The fact Seger - he turns 68 next month - still has the ability and passion to ride a Harley and rock the house makes him a member of an elite group.
Add Seger's list the anthems he's created intentionally and unintentionally to honor Michigan and his ability to mix the genres of rock, blues and R&B, and you've an icon unmatched.
Just don't expect him to give that kind of elitist vibe other rock stars tend to exude. That's simply not the persona he gives off to his fans.
It's probably what's made him so likeable after all these years. He's one of us; he's grounded, he's humble and he knows how to grind.
A Twitter user who saw the show said it best in a post during the show when he described Seger as "the awesome uncle everybody loves."
Seger showed his compassion before, during and after his show.
He met 79-year-old Flint native Evie Branan and treated her like a rock star once he found out she had a goal to meet him after she woke up from a five-year coma.
Seger even dedicated his song "Main Street" to her.
"This one is for Evie," Seger yelled. "You're 79 years young, girl!"
Seger does feel a lot like family. Maybe it's that no-nonsense style and casual image he projects.
What ever it is that makes Bob "Bob," he certainly has that special quality that can truly touch your soul and remind you about the memorable twists and turns life creates.
He reminds me how much I love living in Michigan. What does his music mean to you?
This dedicated storyteller clearly has more tales to tell. He mentioned the release of his new album sometime in late August - "if we're lucky."
Let's hold him to it.
Check out MLive Detroit's photo gallery above from show (Walsh was the opener) and some feedback and photos from Twitter users below.
Seger's second show is Saturday at The Palace. A limited number of tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.
Don't be surprised if Kid Rock makes an appearance for the second show.
He lives near the venue, didn't make one Thursday night and has a break from touring before his 27-city summer begins.
Not that Seger ever needs to call for backup; he's still got those "Night Moves," and I'll take his word for it about the "Fire Down Below."
