So, I mentioned to some friends of mine that I’d be covering Joe Bonamassa at the Beacon Theater in New York City on September 21st, 2017. (Coincidentally, Five years to the day that Joe released his Live CD AT the Beacon Theater!) Back to business, now though I have never seen him live, I have heard Joe’s work and of course knew a bit about him, but these friends of mine were acting as though I was going on a guitar riffing pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Little did I honestly realize what I was in for.
Sitting in the front as Joe walked onto the stage, guitar in hand, I like everyone else in the building rose to my feet. Suddenly he begins and I immediately understand why all my friends gave me the impression that this performance would be closer to a religious experience than a mere night out in the city.
Yes, Joe Bonamassa is talented, he is gifted, he is experienced, he is a trailblazer, he is a mentor, a leader, a student, an icon and a true gift to the music-loving world. What I experienced that night, however, goes beyond all of those characteristics, what I found Joe Bonamassa to be in one word was…PURE. Joe clearly loves what he does because the feeling he puts into his music is absolutely contagious. There were times I was bouncing in my seat, shaking my head, singing along with the band and then there were times I just sat still, eyes closed, allowing the purity of his sound to permeate my entire existence.
So, when I say Joe Bonamassa is changing lives, I am starting with my own. I can now guarantee that should Joe ever perform in any three hour radius from my location, I will arrange whatever schedule I have to in order to be there. I highly recommend you experience why for yourself, you’ll understand as quickly as I did. –Cheers!
INFO AND TOUR DATES: https://jbonamassa.com
THE BEACON THEATER 9/21/2017 SET LIST
This Train
Mountain Climbing
Blues of Desperation
No Good Place for the Lonely
How Deep This River Runs
Breaking Up Somebody’s Home (Albert King cover)
I Get Evil (Albert King cover)
Angel of Mercy (Albert King cover)
Slow Train
Driving Towards the Daylight
Boogie With Stu (Led Zeppelin cover)
Last Kiss
How Many More Times (Led Zeppelin cover)
Hummingbird (Leon Russell cover)
ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA
Blues-Rock lovers do not need to be told about Joe Bonamassa. His style, musical abilities, and unique talents are some of the things his fans can’t get enough of. 40-year old Joe Bonamassa is a renowned and highly respected singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is known for his expertise on guitar and blues-rock appeal.
Born in New Hartford, New York on the 8th of May, 1977, Joe was exposed to music at a tender age by a loving dad who was a music enthusiast. At age 11, Joe already had his own band and played weekends in cities in western New York and Pennsylvania. The name of the band was Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa, and Joe played a crimson 1972 Fender Stratocaster which he named “Rosie”. His father bought “Rosie” in Utica, New York. From a young age, Joe listened to Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck records which his father introduced to him. In his youth, he also had the ultimate mentor, legendary guitarist, Danny Gatton.
Joe’s musical career started off at a very early age. At the age of 12, he was the opening act in over 20 of B. B. King’s shows. His early musical career also included playing in a band, Bloodline. Members of the band were sons of Miles Davis, Robby Krieger, and Berry Oakley.
In the course of his career, Joe Bonamassa has released 13 solo albums. Eleven of these albums went to #1 on the Billboard Blues chart. His first solo album was released in 2000 with the title A New Day Yesterday. A New Day Yesterday was produced by Tim Dowd and featured artists like Rory Gallagher, Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, and Jethro Tull.
Joe has been associated with acts such as Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party, Jason Bingham, Beth Hart and Joe Lynn Turner. He has also worked alongside the biggest names in music including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Derek Trucks.
His collaborative album with Beth Hart, Seesaw, got a Grammy nomination in 2003 in the Best Blues Album category. This was a follow-up album to his first album with Beth Hart titled Don’t Explain.
Always wanting to help, Joe Bonamassa shows his love for music through his non-profit organization, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation. This organization supports music programs and provides funding for musical school and programs in need.
Sponsors of this foundation include Guitar Center, Ernie Ball Strings, J&R Adventures, and YOU! Since 2013, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has funded music projects that cut across 300,000 students.
Joe Bonamassa organizes contests for fans where he gives guitars as gifts. Joe is also well known for his guitar collection with over 10 custom-made and vintage guitars.
With over 3 million worldwide album sales, global tours in over 200 days of the year and more number 1 albums than any blue rock artist in history, Joe Bonamassa is an artist who will be loved by his fans for a lot more time. 2017 and 2018 tours in the U.S. and Europe have been scheduled.
