Tuesday night, my wife and I, along with two other couples went to see the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan at the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse. It is an awesome place to see a show. Even though they should come up with a better exit plan from the parking lot.  The way they funnel the traffic out of there now is horrible.  We got up there pretty early and decided to eat at the venue. That was a mistake. I had a cheeseburger that was pretty small, Chris had loaded nachos, she had a pint of beer and I grabbed a diet soda and it came to $41.50. Are you kidding me? It probably cost them $5 for that whole meal including paying the people to make it, and they charged over $41 for it. If you go to a concert there make sure you eat ahead or bring food and tailgate in the parking lot. Once we got inside and got to our seats, the show was awesome. The Doobie Brothers went on first.  They put on a great show.  Halfway through I was wondering if they were going to sing any songs that feature Michael McDonald on vocals back when he was in the band. They finally did, when they played 'Takin It To The Streets', but that was the only Michael McDonald song they played. But the band was great, they sounded great, they were tight, and they rocked.

After a short 30 minute intermission, Steely Dan took the stage. The band sounded awesome. And the band included Tony Kadleck on trumpet. Kadleck graduated from Binghamton High School in 1983. Steely Dan was great. Donald Fagen said he had a cold and was having a hard time hitting the high notes, but you really couldn't tell until they got to the last few songs. I thought they put on an awesome show except for two things. First; they didn't play 'Deacon Blues'. I always liked that song. It was of my brother's all-time favorite songs, and since his passing, it has even more meaning to me. I was sad that they didn't play it, but I understand they can't play all their songs. Secondly, there was no mention of Walter Becker at all. Are you kidding me? Becker was a co-founding member of the band and he passed away in September. I thought for sure they would have had some kind of video tribute, or at least mentioned him on stage, but they did not. I understand there were legal issues between his family and Donald Fagen after his death, but still, they could have at least mentioned his name. I was disappointed that they didn't.

It was a great night of classic rock, with two legendary bands, at an awesome venue. Just make sure if you go to see a show there, either eat before you get in, or bring a ton of cash with you.

Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...

 

Chris Free Photo
Chris Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Steely Dan, Jim Free Photo
Steely Dan, Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
Jim Free Photo
Jim Free Photo
loading...
This cost me 10 dollars at the show, So NOT worth it. Jim Free Photo
This cost me 10 dollars at the show, So NOT worth it. Jim Free Photo
loading...

More From 99.1 The Whale