Crossroads Concert Bar, Yucaipa, CA
Submitted by Joe from Buffalo

Months of anticipation had finally come to reality. In just a few short minutes Great White would hit the stage for 2 sets of music. Prior to the show Jack's wife was right up in the front of the stage with us. She was telling someone about Jack's car accident which happened earlier in the week. From what I had heard she said he was pretty messed up with cracked ribs and his voice wasn't in great shape. I then heard her say how Jack was still gonna do the show but that he wouldn't be able to even talk very much over the next 2 weeks. Then it hit me. Most any other band would have canceled the show, regardless if it was NYE or not. But Jack felt he couldn't and wouldn't let the fans down. I have only seen this one other time and that was this summer. Bret Michaels from Poison was coming down with a case of strep throat and was advised by the doctors to cancel the show. But seeing how it was the closest city to his hometown that he would come, he wasn't gonna let that stop him. And let me tell you he put on one helluva show. These two guys have put the fans first and that is something you do not see all too often these days.

The band hit the stage to the customary Jaws theme then Jack decided to tell the audience what had happened to him -- very noble thing to do under the circumstances. Then without any further adieu, they broke into one of my top 5 tunes of all time "Season's of Wither" an Aerosmith cover. It sounded great to hear the band play this live. Then they launched into a great rendition of "Wooden Jesus" off the new album. Jack was moving around pretty good on stage, all things considered. They then proceeded to play a bunch of covers -- Neil Young's "Old Man", The Beatles "Hide Your Love Away", Mark's rendition of "Redhouse", and Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here", before closing with "Can't Shake It" and "Rollin' Stoned". Jack then announced they would be back.

Then the big midnight celebration where Jack came out and toasted everyone at midnight. Just our luck, no champagne to be found. But Jack ended up throwing confetti on everyone near the stage. (I think Robyn still has some embedded on her somewhere).

Then a little while later the Jaws theme came back on "Is Everybody In?". The band appeared and tore into "Love Lies Bleeding", an Elton John tune. They then did the standard Stones cover "Jumping Jack Flash" before turning the microphone back over to Mr. Kendall for "Roadhouse Blues". Following a great solo by Mark during "Roadhouse" came "Once Bitten Twice Shy" which a young lady was picked out of the crowd by Jack. Joyce (I think that was her name) had the honor of basically singing by herself with a little help from Jack. "Wasted Rock Ranger" brought the set to a close. The band left as the stage lights stayed on for an encore. So the guys come back out and do another awesome version of "Rollin' Stoned". A great way to end a century and to begin another. Thanks guys, you put on one helluva show even with everything that happened.