The Red Voodoo Tour

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last night’s concert here in Phoenix.
However, I was listening to Tim and Mark on KDKB 93.3 the next morning on
July 1st while driving to work and I heard you did a tribute to Phoenix
Police Officer Marc Atkinson.  I too, am a Sammy fan and Van Halen is my
favorite group, aside from you being my favorite artist. 

It was very
refreshing to hear a man of your stature took the time to understand how much
Marc loved your music and translate that into the tribute of “When Eagles
Fly.”  Tim and Mark talked about it this morning, describing how moving this
tribute was.  All the rockers I spoke with who are cops sincerely appreciated
your efforts and your music.  In case you haven’t heard, Marc’s family was
listening.  I was personally moved this morning when Tim and Mark talked
about it and played the song again.

From the Phoenix Police Department and from myself, I sincerely thank you for
demonstrating that you are one of the “humans” and showing us that you have a
heart.  Thank you again for your support!  Now I think I’ll have “Mas
Tequila!”

Thanks to Martin Greer for the review and Mark for the set list!

The Red Voodoo Tour

Thanks to Larry Benson for the set list.

The Red Voodoo Tour

The Cabo Wabo In Sacramento.

Sammy was in great spirits being so close to
home. Kari is also from Sacramento so
it made the night even more special. Sammy took the stage about 7:55 and
rocked Arco till about 10:25. Sammy took time out to sing Happy birthday to
both Victor and Jesse
who’s birthdays were days apart. He ran through alot of the great songs he
has made famous solo and with Van Halen. He told us about the inspiration
for right now which came to him at 3:00 in the am in Eddie’s studio after
everyone had left but Eddie and Sammy. Saying that year had been a hard one
for him and he came up with what is important is right now.

He also told the story about Mona and how he didn’t want a women in the
band because they always wound up taking control. But when she rode up on
her pink Harley and played Bass for him he knew she was it. Sammy also had
fun with the waitresses that came out with a little bit of flirting and one
grab of the female anatomy that he said Kari would probably use the
scissors on him if he kept it up. Also Jennifer from Colorado was there
and Sammy pulled her up on stage when he recognized her. Sammy said she has
been to all the birthday bashes and always makes him a homemade present. I
have been to all the Sammy shows in Sacramento since the days of Montrose
and this ranks right up there as one of the best. The highlight of the evening was Mas Tequilla which
proves the new music is popular with the fans and my longstanding favorite
Heavy Metal with Mona taking the spotlight on the verse she holds her own
with the boys.

Thank You Sammy! Sacramento is Red Rocker Country!

Thanks to Wes Mulholland for the review and Jeff Green for the set list.

The Red Voodoo Tour

Normally, when Sammy starts his shows, the outside CaboWabo curtain is up,
and the stage people are behind the curtain.  Apparently it must have been
too windy, because the outside curtain was tied open, and when us stage
people walked up on stage, the crowd started cheering…it was great!  They
knew that the show was about to start.

Eva, my hubby Eric  and I got  a place right on the end of the risers on
Victor’s side.  Great view!  We held our banner up  (the one we fought over
in Kansas City).. and the crowd cheered again  :)  Too cool!  We hung up a
T-shirt from our favorite radio staion Rock 98.3 The Twins, that Eric added
“REDHEADS” to.  A few minutes
later, Sammy & the Waboritas take the stage.. and the crowd goes wild.  It
was so awesome… to see what Sammy sees every night when he takes the
stage.    You know that phrase “You look at every face in a crowd.. some
shine and some keep you guessing”  It’s true!  You could see all the shining
faces.. :)  Among them in the very front were our REDheads!
Needless to say… the music ROCKED!  I tell ya, Sammy & the Waboritas are a
well-oiled machine!  They had so much fun, and the interaction with the
crowd is like no other band I’ve ever seen.   I know I won’t be able to
remember everything, but here is what I *do* remember:
After the first song, Vic asked if our friends made it in OK.  I gave him
the thumbs up & pointed to our friends next to us.  He was like “Right on!”
The band was really having fun.  Several rolls of toilet paper made it up to
the stage, and Sammy, Vic and David took turns throwing them back out into
the crowd.  A few beachballs made it up too, but out of nowhere, a GIANT
beachball made it up on stage.. and Sammy rolled around with it on stage..
leaning on top of it, sitting on it.. it was half the height he was!

Ron (O’Doulie) had taught me the sign language  for “Mental Masturbation”
before the show.. (a jerking-off motion on your forehead.. lol!)  and during
“One Way to Rock”… I looked at him & we both did the Mental Masturbation
sign… Ron had a big ‘ol grin on his face, and I started laughing!  His son
was too busy watching Sammy to even notice.  😉

Eva and I were really rockin’ out, enjoying the show, and Sammy comes up to
Eva..puts his arm around her, and asks her if she’s having a good time!
“YEAH!!” she shouts!  :)  He gave her a big hug, then looked over her
shoulder at me.. and *I* got a big hug too!   Ahhhhhhh!!

Then, during SHAG.. he’s singing, “You make me wanna…”   and puts the mic
up to Eva & I, and we got to sing “SHAG YOU BABY!!”   :)   Then he pulls Eva
off the risers to dance with him during Shag.  At first Eva didn’t wanna go,
because she was afraid Security would throw her off stage.  (We were
explicitly told not to leave the railing.  She started to say “But they told
me not…..”  and Sammy goes “It’s MY concert!”… and pulls her on stage.
She did a great job “shagging” with Sammy!

Someone threw up a joint, and our friend Scott got to light it for Sammy.
While he’s trying to light it.. Vic runs back there, and in a fake authority
voice.. yells… “What’re you doing, Mother fuc**r!!  Too funny!
There were some wild people in the crowd!  A few guys from the crowd snuck
on stage, only to be quickly grabbed and rushed off by security.  The
security at the show did a hell of a job keeping order.  We only noticed one
or two topless women at this show, much to disappointment of the men in our
group..  😛

Stuff was flying up onto the stage from everywhere!  Who put that substance
in the tupperware container on the stage?…. Eddie!!?

Those of us in the stage audience were being served gatorade in dixie cups,
so when Sammy had his Waborita glass.. we assumed it was fake too.  Sammy
gave Eva (who is not a drinker) his glass to take a drink out of.. she took
a big ‘ol gulp.  She swears it had tequila in it.. but she said it was
reaaaally good!  She handed it to me, and I took a sip.  Sammy saw this, and
looked at like he was shocked!  I tried to hand the glass back to him, but
he motioned for me to pass it along, so I did.  I don’t know where the glass
went from there.

At one point in the show, I found big Jim Goodwin standing behind me in his
super secret REDhead disguise… heheh!   He tapped me on the shoulder and
offered me his water bottle.  Little did I know it was straight tequila!!
Whew!  I almost choked on the stuff.  He said something about that being
alchohol abuse.. lol!

A nekkid blow up sex doll made it onto the stage.  Sammy grabbed it, and
feighned making out with it.  It then made it on top of David Lausers
shoulders for awhile.

Sammy talked about how much he loved his fans… how they are his family.
He said he didn’t care if he made any new ones.  He said “if any new fans
want to come to my shows.. they’re gonna have to ask YOUR permission!”
During the encore, we all got to march around the stage during “Marching to
Mars”.  Very cool! .. except you really had to watch your step with all the
t-shirts, bras, panties, and other paraphanelia that made it to the stage.
The stage totally looked like a major party happening.. which of course, it
WAS!

Sammy ended the show with sizzling “Right on Right”.. and at the end of the
song said “REDHEAD RULE!”  seveal times.   Before he left the stage, he
autographed Eva’s bracelet, my REDhead/Rock98.3 T-shirt, Scott’s shirt, and
Michelle’s shirt (that she was wearing).  After Sammy signed his name on
Michelle, he added 2 dots, right where.. um.. well, strategically  placed on
her chest.. lol!

Thank you Sammy, Vic, and the Waboritas for making this a most incredible
night for us!  It is one that I’ll *never*  forget!  WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Thanks to Lisa Chandler for the review and Ron Graupman for the set list.

The Red Voodoo Tour

The show opened of course with Cabo Wabo and the open air arena wasn’t

even half full yet. It was still daylight and many people thought he

wouldn’t start until it got dark. From the beginning I knew the crowd

would be a big part of the show. Sammy jokingly scolded people who were

walking down the isles late. Almost immediately the stage started to

fill up with bed sheet size banners being hucked up from the crowd. It’s

so good to see that Sammy’s fans love him so much. That only comes

because it’s quite obvious that he loves his fans. The best thing about

a Sammy show is how much fun he has with the people. He just loves to be

up there. I can’t say that Mick Jagger seemed to be having any fun at

all ( he was working). Sammy doesn’t work,,, he parties!!!

  Eventually the place got totally full and before long everyone was

singing all the words to all the songs. The place was rocking! We jammed

our brains out to many of the classics like “I can’t drive 55” and “I’ll

fall in love again” right on through to the best of the Van Halen songs.

Sammy had us all sweaty and hoarse when he decided to slow it down for

the most incredible and heart tugging  rendition of “Where eagles fly.”

Music gives us many emotions ranging from

happy,sad,loving,laughing,hoping and crying. I’ve never quite

experienced the feeling of that moment as I did during this song. A

moment before our hearts were in our throats from the frenzy and energy

of heavy metal rocking, then as swiftly as being turned upside down on a

roller coaster, our hearts were in our hands and it was all one could do

to keep from shedding a tear. There was an erie sense of adrenaline

knowing that we were there not just watching but participating with a

performer who was capable of reaching so far down into us with such wide

scope. This show literally left my girlfriend speechless and left me

wishing that I could live just a little while longer in that moment.

  I cant’ say that everyone will love Sammy as much as we do but there

sure seems to be a hell of a lot us out there. Chances are, if you are

reading this it is because you are already a Sammy fan, but if you

haven’t ever seen him live than I recommend you get your ass in line for

some tix and if none are left than pay whatever any scalper wants for

them, they are worth every penny and then some.

Thanks to Neil Case for the review and Darin B. Chace for the set list.