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Local fans gathered at the Shoreline Amphitheatre Thursday, Sept. 26, to say goodbye to the great Bob Seger, who is on what’s said to be the final leg of his Roll Me Away farewell tour.
It was a joyous night, as fans got to hear some of the greatest songs in rock ‘n’ roll history performed in Mountain View. But it was also sad, as many were aware that, in all likelihood, this would be the last time they’d hear these fantastic tunes played live by this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
I reviewed Seger’s show in Sacramento in February, which, at the time, appeared to be his final stop in Northern California. Since he’s still on the same tour, and the set list has barely changed, I decided it didn’t make sense to also review the Shoreline gig.
Still, given how much Seger’s music has meant to me over the years, I couldn’t stay away on Thursday and can’t resist sharing some takeaways from what appears to be the final Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band concert ever played in the Bay Area.
The Lyrics
It’s odd to say that a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who has sold tens of millions of albums and maintained a career for over a half century, could be underrated. Yet, I do think that Seger doesn’t get enough credit as a songwriter.
The man is simply amazing with a pen, crafting lyrics that are as insightful to the human condition as they are memorably poetic. There must have been a dozen times during this concert when I was absolutely floored by the beauty of his lyrics.
It just underscored what I’ve long believed to be true: Seger is every bit as great of a songwriter as the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Paul Simon and Billy Joel.
The Band
Speaking of being underrated, Seger’s Silver Bullet Band is certainly one of the best backing outfits in rock ‘n’ roll history — certainly on par with Springsteen’s E Street Band. The 13-piece band, complete with five horn players, was a versatile, powerful, cohesive force throughout the 22 song show, shinning equally on ballads and up-tempo numbers.
Seger at 74
There’s a lyric in the song “Rock and Roll Never Forgets” that goes “So now sweet 16’s turned 31.” In concert, Seger now updates the line to reflect his own age “So now sweet 16’s turned 74.” He then hunches over, purposefully missing the next lyric, as if to underscore just how hard it is to believe he’s that age.
But Seger still sounds terrific on the microphone, able to go big for a rocker or ease his way through a ballad. And he still puts more into his performance than most performers half (a third?) his age, pumping his fists in the air as he powers through the songs.
‘Like a Rock’
So many people overlook this song, probably because its impact got watered down through years of use on Chevy truck commercials. But I can’t think of a single song that captures the invincibility of youth — as well as as the nostalgia for it — as convincingly as “Like a Rock.” Plus, the song’s slide guitar solo — originally crafted by Rick Vito, but handled in concert so wonderfully by Rob McNelley — is about as good as it gets.
‘Night Moves’
Not surprisingly, the song was a highlight of the show. But the real reason we are listing it here is a chance to ask a trivia question. So, fans, what song was Seger humming from 1962 in “Night Moves”? And what is wrong with that famous lyric. (Find both answers here.)
‘Turn the Page’
It remains the best five-minute snapshot of “life on the road” in rock ‘n’ roll. Some even consider it to be Seger’s best song. Not me. I consider it to be Seger’s fourth best song.
Seger’s Top 10
OK, since I brought up the topic in the last section, here’s my list of Seger’s 10 best songs:
1. “Hollywood Nights”
2. “Night Moves”
3. “Like a Rock”
4. “Turn the Page”
5. “Travelin’ Man”/”Beautiful Loser” (counts as two)
7. “You’ll Accomp’ny Me”
8. “Roll Me Away”
9. “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”
10. “Against the Wind”
And he played all these songs at Shoreline, which translated to me nearly losing my voice from singing along all evening long.
Good company
My journey with Bob Seger began in grade school, when a good buddy named Scott Stefanik spun a 45 of “Ramblin Gamblin’ Man” for me. It changed my life. Thus, it felt so fitting that I was with that same friend, these many decades later, to hear Seger close out the main set at Shoreline with, yes, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” Thanks, Scott, for not playing me Rick Dees that day instead.
