The question of whether the cast of Raiding the Rock Vault constitutes a classic-rock supergroup or a high-caliber cover band becomes irrelevant once guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and Howard Leese (Heart, Bad Company) lay into the power chords from The Who’s “My Generation” at the onset of Raiding the Rock Vault’s first show of 2016. The New Year’s Day audience inside the Tropicana Theater needs no prompting from singer Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot) to respond to the energy onstage with equal enthusiasm. It’s apparent there’s something special going on.
“I’d say probably for the first time in a long, long time, everybody’s in the right place in the show,” says Raiding the Rock Vault impresario “Sir” Harry Cowell. “We had a few hiccups along the line. That’s normal. But at the moment it’s a fantastic feeling. There’s a lot of love in the room at the moment.”
Although a skit-enhanced narrative thread and a mostly chronological set list create the show’s historical framework, the camaraderie and chemistry exuded by the musicians elevate Raiding the Rock Vault from tribute show to expertly executed, heartfelt homage. A lot of subtle touches enhance the show. Once Shortino croons through “Light My Fire,” Aldrich straps on a left-handed white Stratocaster—flipped over and restrung so he can play right-handed—in recognition of southpaw guitarist Jimi Hendrix, playing a few bars of “Star-Spangled Banner” before Leese, the band’s Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame-inducted musical director, joins in for “All Along the Watchtower.”
Aldrich plays double neck guitars for “Stairway to Heaven” and “Hotel California,” and has an uncanny ability to catch guitar picks after bouncing them off the ground. Shortino adds showmanship, wielding a crystal-studded-skull walking stick, and vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley-Schenker Group) dons an AC/DC-esque denim vest and flat cap before launching into “Highway to Hell.” When Stephanie Calvert (Starship) enters to sing Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” the boys step back and gather at the microphones to add sweet background harmonies.
Hiccups included splitting with vocalist John Payne (Asia), co-founder of the production and conceptualist of the original narrative based around finding a classic-rock “vault” in a remote jungle. Although the show was a critical and popular success from the get-go at its first home in LVH (now The Westgate), Payne’s departure led to less focus on a de facto frontman and more emphasis on the collective talents of the musicians assembled. That, and a revised narrative that nixed the jungle discovery intro, contributed to making the presentation more cohesive.
Cowell credits his former mentor Simon Napier-Bell, most famous for managing The Yardbirds, as inspiring the idea of an all-star cover band in Las Vegas. The regular lineup includes bassist Hugh McDonald, who laid down the bass track for Bon Jovi’s breakout hit “Runaway” before going on to play or record with Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson and Lita Ford, among many others. Michael T. Ross played with Ford as well, and is highly regarded among contemporary rock keyboardists for his performing chops. Mark Boals sang with Dokken and Ted Nugent, while guitarist/vocalist Andrew Freeman and Raiding the Rock Vault drummer Jay Schellen (and Aldrich, at one point) both played with heavy metal band Hurricane.
Most of the musicians have other commitments, so alternate members are constantly revolved in. Tracii Guns trades off with Aldrich on the double necks, and former Dio guitarist Rowan Robertson comes back into the fold for early 2016 shows. Cowell says there will likely be some changes to the set by the summer, but so far there hasn’t been a need to mix things as evidenced by repeat visitors. They get hooked after one show and come back again and again.
Tropicana, 8 p.m. Wed.-Mon., $59-$99 plus tax and fee. 800.829.9034
