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LIVE: RICHARD MARX – March 22, 2022

| 25 March 2022 | Reply

Venue: Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

City: Clearwater, FL

Dates: March 22, 2022

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

There are artists I love to listen to and there is no mistaking who they are if you know me or have since my obsession with KISS starting in 1976 and moving into the 80’s rock and metal that got me through high school.  During my senior year, I got my hands on a debut cassette from Richard Marx and there has bene no turning back for me over the years.  From the first time I saw him opening for REO Speedwagon at Pine Knob in Clarkston, MI to an appearance at a rock festival on the Detroit River at Hart Plaza, other shows across Michigan and the years until this past Tuesday night, every time my schedule aligns and I am in a town near him I make every effort to see him perform whether with a full band or a solo acoustic gig, which this week’s show was.

Without fanfare — it’s a solo acoustic gig — Richard hit the stage with a smile, a bow, and proceeded to grab a guitar and treat us all to over two hours of music, stories, memories – both past and present, and a great night out that helped shed the life outside the four walls of the sold out Bilheimer Capitol Theare.  The show was full of hits, new tracks from the upcoming Songwriter release, some covers of songs he has written for others, and even some fun snippets just because he was sitting at a piano.  Marx dug out tracks from across his catalog put songs on lips and smiles on faces across the venue with each passing moment.  Starting the evening with “Endless Summer Nights” we were off and running on a fun journey.  References were made all night long about the longevity of his career, but there is no mistaking the timeless quotient in his music that has touch so many for so long and continues to do so 35 years after the release of the debut for Manhattan / EMI that caught my attention.  The big hits from across his career made an appearance in the setlist tonight with songs like stripped down rockers “Satisfied” and “Should’ve Known Better” tossed into the mix with ballads “Hazard,” Hold On to the Nights,” and “Now And Forever” there was no denying the power of a great song whether plugged in, mixed with full arrangements, or presented bare bones for all to hear.  By the way, I still sing (or try to) “Hold On To The Nights” with all of the key and note changes from the live version that made its rounds on radio back in 1988.   You’ll have to check out the show to witness the banter Richard enjoys with the crowd and to see how well we all play off each other at a Richard Marx performance.  I loved hearing the two new unreleased tracks – “Same Heartbreak, Different Day” and “Always” – that demonstrate the guy still has IT.  There were other bonuses in the evening, including a couple of songs from his last release, 2020’s Limitless, including the song co-written with his good friend Matt Scannell “This One,” songs he wrote with other artists like Keith Urban “Long Hot Summer,” and a true-blue country song Marx penned himself that is not to be missed.  Highlights for me during tonight’s show included “When You Loved Me,” with this version being the one re-recorded with his three sons, ‘The Marx Brothers.’  Another highlight was a personal favorite getting the TOTAL unplugged experience when he ripped through “Angelia” without any mics, speakers, monitors, etc.  It was just him, a guitar, and us in equal parts and it was effing amazing.  With other gems buried in the set like “Keep Coming Back” and or closing it out like “Right Here Waiting,” there was only one song missing other than some obscure songs I would love to hear live “Edge Of A Broken Heart” or “Riding With The Idol”.  That song that brought us all together many years ago – “Don’t Mean Nothing” – had as much attitude acoustically as the first time I slipped that cassette into the tape player in my AMC Concord.

If there is one performer you need to see before all is said and done, it’s Richard Marx… yes, there are bigger shows with flames, bombs, costumes, and louder than hell, but when you strip all of that back, you need great songs, great memories, and an exceptional performance – Marx delivers all three in spades.  Check the link below for tour dates and get a ticket before the show near you sells out.

Setlist: Endless Summer Nights – Take This Heart – Satisfied – Keep Coming Back – Hazard – When You Loved Me – Same Heartbreak, Different Day – Always – Hold On to the Nights – This I Promise You – Long Hot Summer – Front Row Seat – How Can I Miss You – Angelia – Should’ve Known Better – This One – Now and Forever – Don’t Mean Nothing – Easy / Kiss on My List / In the Air Tonight – Right Here Waiting

FULL SET OF RICHARD MARX PHOTOS HERE

RICHARD MARX LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

TOUR DATES

Tags:

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries

About the Author ()

ToddStar - that's me... just a rocking accountant who had dreams of being a rock star. I get to do the next best thing to rocking the globe - I get to take pictures of the lucky ones that do. I love to shoot all genres of music and different types of performers. If it is related to music, I love to photograph it. I get to shoot and hang with not only some of my friends and idols, but some of the coolest people around today.

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