Guitar Legends at The Novo Salute Veterans And First Responders

Sammy Hagar and Robby Krieger at The Novo, L.A. Live, Sunday, December 2, 2018.

What do Billy Gibbons, Laurence Juber, Orianthi, Emily Estefan, Sammy Hagar, Robby Krieger, Joe Bonamassa, Sammy Hagar, Dave Navarro, Vernon Reid, Don Felder, and Stephen Stills have in common?  Well, they all know their way around the old fretboard, but more pertinently, they were all in attendance last Sunday night at The Novo where they live-to-tape performed in a fund-raiser for various mental and brain wellness charities that serve first responders and veterans.

Playing to a packed house of about 2,000 fans, the show on Sunday, December 2, 2018, had a very intimate feel to it, as do most shows there.  The Novo is part of the L.A. Live complex, which includes The Microsoft Theater, Staples Center, and The Grammy Museum and Theater.  The venue is known for its acoustics and was a perfect setting for the show, which was a great and eclectic collection of guitarists covering many different genres.

Particularly well suited to the venue was Laurence Juber, the man known as “Paul McCartney’s Guitarist”, the man can do things with an acoustic guitar that have to be heard to be appreciated. For The Doors fan in you, Krieger played “Roadhouse Blues” with Sammy Hagar on vocals and Joe Bonamassa on lead guitar. Dave Navarro, Orianthi, and Robby Krieger joined together for “Back Door Man”, and Krieger performed a rousing version of “Light My Fire”.  Emily Estefan performed “Black Magic Woman”, Billy Gibbons not only performed “Sharp Dressed Man” but he also lived the part, dressed in all his glittery finery.    Stephen Stills did “Love The One You’re With”, Don Felder did “Heartache Tonight”, “Hotel California”, and was joined by Gibbons on “Pride and Joy.”

The finale had everyone present on stage, a-la The Rock Hall jam, performing “Low Rider”.  It’s great to have all this talent under one roof, there was something for everyone. How could there not be with that kind of a line-up?

If you missed the telecast or the live stream, stay tuned, it might get re-broadcast, and while you’re there, you could make a donation.  More information can be obtained at www.americasalutesyou.org