Two veteran classic rockers will take the Tower Theater stage April 26, bringing with them decades’ worth of songs to play. The Steve Miller Band and Gregg Allman also come bearing their own new releases of cover songs.
Allman recently released his first new album in 14 years, Low Country Blues, produced by T Bone Burnett (does the man EVER rest?). Miller, using a trick employed earlier in his career, just put out an album that was actually recorded during sessions of last year’s Bingo! album. Let Your Hair Down is a collection of somewhat obscure songs that Miller remembers listening to on Texas radio back in the ’60s. Among the covers are a few new tunes, too.
The show is booked as a co-headlining tour, but Allman is only scheduled for a handful of dates. Neither performer has ever been “flashing lights, over-the-top, laser” guys with their stage productions, but Miller does indulge in a killer sound system. There has also been talk of a unique stage design for this tour that centers around a 30-foot-tall Fender Strat guitar neck, with the tuning keys as spotlights.
Allman, backed by a top-notch seven-piece band, hits the stage around 8 p.m. and doesn’t disappoint fans of The Brothers. “Whipping Post” and “Melissa” (with flute accompaniment) will likely be among recognizable favorites and, of course, where there’s an Allman, there’s always a jam.
After a brief intermission, a swirl of psychedelic “space sounds” signal Miller and band onstage. The Space Cowboy-adorned curtain rises, and they immediately kick into “Jet Airliner”—and off they go. A few songs from the new record are sprinkled in, but, for the most part, Miller (wisely!) sticks to his solid catalog of sing-along classics.
And don’t be surprised if these two join forces onstage for a couple of songs during Miller’s set. To paraphrase a tad: “Keep on rockin’ us, baby!”
SHOW INFO
When: April 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby.
Tickets: $35.25-$112. Visit livenation.com or call (800) 745-3000.
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