Growing up, I loved BOC, and this was my first time seeing them live. As a bonus, the show also featured the legendary Ian Hunter (from Mott the Hoople) who also had Mick Ronson on guitar (from David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era). It was a hard-rocker’s dream come true.
Since this show was almost 40 years past, a lot of the details are fuzzy at best. I have impressions, such as Ian with his top hat singing “Cleveland Rocks” as the audience chanted along in rock and roll ecstasy. I recall the Cult’s impressive light show, and banging my head to classic songs like “ETI,” “Cities on Flame,” “Godzilla,” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper” (which was the encore). They also played a rip-roaring version of “Born to be Wild,” which got the South Florida crowd riled.
Throughout the years, I would go to see BOC many more times, and they were always great, but there was something special about seeing them for the first time. It was almost mystical.
My heart is black, and my lips are cold
Cities on flame with rock and roll
Three thousand guitars they seem to cry
My ears will melt, and then my eyes(Cities on Flame)
The Stub Collection 