Glam rockers Warrant, Bret Michaels bring it back to Reno

Humanitarian/rock star Bret Michaels and friends rock the Grand Sierra Resort.
Shaun Astor / Tahoe Onstage photos

The night harkened back to 1990 on the Sunset Strip, when glammed hair and hot guitar licks ruled the clubs. It’s now 30 years later, and despite the time passing, both the bands and audience wear that age well. 

The opening band, Warrant, is touring on the 30th anniversary of its first record, “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.” The songs “Heaven,” “Sometimes She Cries” and “Down Boys” from that album did not fail to get audience members standing up and waving their phones Friday at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.

Of the two groups, Warrant was clearly in the underdog position, but its enthusiasm, led by singer Robert Mason, proved the band willing to work harder in order to win over the crowd. The energy level seemed to swell throughout the set, when by the time it finished with “Cherry Pie,” everyone was on their feet. A solid hourlong set by Warrant,  whose guitars oozed nostalgic for decadent club nights of the past.

Bret Michaels took the stage with a showman energy and immediately wrapped the audience around his finger and proceeded to lead the Grand Theatre through a mix of Poison hits along with some old fashioned rock and roll.

Hitting the floor with “Talk Dirty To Me,” he meandered through Poison hits like “Look What The Cat Dragged In,” “Something To Believe In” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” all while including his usual banter of giving thanks to the veterans and first responders, a few of whom he brought onstage to introduce to the crowd. 

Michaels will be receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award during this year’s upcoming Hollywood Christmas Parade for the performer’s efforts of giving a portion of his fan meet and greet fees to assist children with diabetes and aiding natural disaster victims around the world. The singer mentioned these causes throughout his show, making his work a focal point of his set on the large screen backdrop.

While striding around the stage, and shaking hands with those in the audience, the singer also mentioned a rumor of an upcoming Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard tour. In all, Michaels displays a graciousness to those who continue to see him perform, and finished the night with a cover of “Sweet Home Alabama.”

While winter storms may have thrown a cold blanket over Reno and the Sierra, those inside the Grand Theatre were treated to a party from performers who have been going nonstop for 30 years now.

— Shaun Astor

Bret Michaels and his band are smoking.

Warrant heats wintry night with fiery rock ‘n’ roll

ABOUT Shaun Astor

Picture of Shaun Astor
Shaun Astor cites pop music singers and social deviants as being among his strongest influences. His vices include vegan baking, riding a bicycle unreasonable distances and fixating on places and ideas that make up the subject of the sentence, "But that’s impossible…" He splits his time between Reno and a hammock perched from ghost town building foundations. Check out his work at www.raisethestakeseditions.com

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