Heartland rock’s favorite son Bob Seger is heading toward the final curtain call, at least as far as tours go, with his Silver Bullet Band. Seger means what he says, unlike bands that play farewell tours every five years or so. He’s in his 70s, had to cancel dates for his previous tour due to a back condition, and has never been one to overextend himself to remain in the public eye. He grew old with his baby boomer fans, and spoke for them as sweet 16 turned 31, then 41, but the main reason they keep coming out to his concerts is the passion Seger puts into every performance.
There is nary a live clip of Seger, at any age, that doesn’t capture his pure joy at playing soul-inspired Motor City rock ’n’ roll. He hasn’t changed his unpretentious approach much since he first appeared on the Detroit rock scene with the Bob Seger System, scoring a local hit with “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” He’s playing that song on his current tour with the Silver Bullet Band, which he first put together in 1975 for the Beautiful Loser album.
The future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had released several solo albums by that time, but songs such as “Katmandu,” “Travelin’ Man” and the title cut received airplay across the country. Album track “Nutbush City Limits,” an Ike and Tina Turner cover, would become a setlist staple and lead off Live Bullet, a double album recorded at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. The double album would eventually garner quadruple platinum sales and set the stage to launch his next studio effort into the Top Ten. Bob Seger had finally arrived, and with 1976’s Night Moves he became a rock superstar.
Night Moves found a reflective, maturing songwriter looking back after the country experienced nearly a decade of domestic political upheaval and economic instability. George Lucas’ film American Graffiti and Broadway hit Grease had set off a nostalgia trend, and the title cut’s tale of Seger experiencing his sexual awakening in the early ’60s resonated with audiences who were finding solace in the past. It was the year of the bicentennial, a healing time for the country, and with “Night Moves” Seger became the voice of a generation entering their 30s. He’d continue to have more hits with nostalgia themes such as 1980’s “Against the Wind” and 1986 mega-hit “Like a Rock.”
Seger scaled back touring commitments by the end of the ’80s, and subsequently released several albums that were embraced by his loyal fans. When he worked, he worked hard, but no longer needing to struggle enabled him to raise his family and attend Pistons games. In September of last year, he announced he would be taking the Silver Bullet Band on the road for the last time and had booked concerts through May. Seger is less mobile onstage these days, but his energy and drive hasn’t diminished. He’s also playing “Still the Same” live for the first time since the ’80s, which is reason enough to buy a ticket.
MGM Grand, 8 p.m. March 2, starting at $99 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
