Finland’s Lordi rock Orion club in Rome March 5th, 2015

Finland’s hard rock-heavy metal band, Lordi, shook Rome’s Orion club to the ground. 

The Finnish hard rock-heavy metal band Lordi are currently on tour to promote their latest and 7^th album, “Scare Force One”.  A packed and avid Lordi audience followed the band’s particular brand of theatrical “monster” hard rock music at Rome’s Orion club. 




The band was formed in 1992 by the band’s lead singer, songwriter and costume maker, Mr. Lordi.   Together with the band’s rather “melodic” metal music, Lordi is perhaps more famous for wearing monster masks and using horror elements with pyrotechnics during concerts and music videos.  The band’s major influences are Kiss, Twisted Sister and also Alice Cooper.
Lordi made history in 2006 by becoming the first, and still today, the only hard rock act to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Original members Mr. Lordi and guitarist Amen are still active with the band.

Vinicio Capossela in concert in Rome’s Cavea, 28/06/2016.  A rather poor concert just because for the first three songs Capossela used poor lighting.  Once the three songs were done with he used better lighting.  A rather odd fellow when it comes to music, Italian-style country music too!

Bass guitar sensation Marcus Miller in concert in Rome 15/04/2016

Marcus Miller, an American jazz  composer, is best known though as a bass guitarist, played to a full-house in Rome’s Auditorium.   Miller has worked with such illustrious artists as Miles Davis (at age 20 on Davis’s album “Tutu”),  pianist Herbie Hancock and singer Luther Vandross.

Miller was born in New York in 1959.  By 13 he was proficient on clarinet, piano, bass guitar and was also already writing songs. Marcus soon became a session musician, appearing on over 500 albums by such artists as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, Billy Idol, Eric Clapton and Elton John.   

Miller was in Rome to promote his latest album 2015, “Afrodeezia”, which was also nominated for a Grammy Award.  He was preceded on stage by American singer American singer Brenna Whitaker on stage in Rome.

Press conference with Graham Nash in Rome

Graham Nash, a former member of The Hollies and a quarter of that other famous group, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, was in Rome promoting his new album which comes out in April. 

Nash spoke about Trump, music and a variety of other things (but NOT his recent break-up with David Crosby!).  

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in concert in Rome 11/03/2016

American alternative rock trio, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, played in Rome’s Monk club.  The band was formed in 1991 and is based in New York City.  Jon Spencer is the band’s frontman and guitarist.    

The band’s roots are largely in rock and roll but it’s also drawn its influences from punk, blues, soul, rockabilly and hip hop.  The band was in town to promote its latest album,  Freedom Tower - No Wave Dance Party.

Tony Allen in concert in Rome

Jazz drummer Tony Allen in concert in Rome 15/03/2016. 

Nigerian-born Tony Allen played in Rome’s Monk Club.  Allen, who was born in 1940, is a jazz drummer whose current work is in honor of another great drummer, Art Blakey.   

Allen’s work also dates back to his meeting in the 1970s with African superstar Fela Kuti.  For his Rome concert Allen was joined on stage by three musicians, Jean-Phillip Dary on piano, Matthias Allamane on bass and an awesome Jowee Omicil on sax and flute. 

(Allen's great sax-flute player, Jowee Omicil)
 

(Tony Allen, still drumming away at age 76!)