August 3, 2020

​

Live Rock and Roll returned to Northeastern Ohio on Saturday night, thanks to Akron's own, Tim "Ripper" Owens and Scott Jones.   The duo played two acoustic sets of classic rock, free of charge, at The Sand Trap Grill and Bar in North Royalton that was presented by Otter Entertainment. 

​

Owens, the former lead singer of Judas Priest, provided a much needed shot of live entertainment for those in attendance.  The Sand Trap did a great job of distancing tables and requiring masks for fans when they were not in their seats.

​

"Ripper" and Jones opened up the show with a great version of Alice In Chains "Nutshell."  A fan then screamed out "Judas Priest!" which Ripper replied, "Yeah, we're gonna play some of that."  Then the duo launched into two Priest classics, "Metal God," and "Diamonds and Rust."

​

After a few other cover tunes like "TNT" and "Sweet Home Alabama," Owens told the audience that "we don't practice so if we mess up, it's Scott's fault!"  However, both gentlemen were in fine form as Jones' guitar work was tastefully done and Owens' vocals were on point all evening.  He still possesses one of the best voices in rock.

​

"Hell Is Home" off the Demolition album fit nicely into the set.  Owens noted that he recently played with KK Downing and they actually tuned it up a step, where most bands tune things down a step because it's hard to hit the higher key.  "Ripper" doesn't have that problem.

​

After a brief intermission, the duo returned to play a slew of classic rock hits.  "Cold Gin," "Rainbow In The Dark," "Hurt" and "Highway To Hell" all made the set.

​

Two more Judas Priest songs were played as  well, "You Got Another Thing Coming" and the set closing "United."

​

It was a great evening of great rock and roll.  It was exactly what the audience needed.

​

Local band, American Take Out opened the show with a nice set of original pop-punk tunes.

​

​

​

Review and photo's by Greg Drugan

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​