The Return of Chaos

International collaboration outfit Kings of Chaos returned to Sun City South Africa this weekend to continue where they left off in 2013. This time around Gilbey Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Duff McKagan & Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver), were joined by Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) and the irrepressible Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

Off course I had to be there…

Last time out Duff McKagan & Matt Sorum were joined by Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver), Slash (Guns N’ Roses) and Ed Roland (Collective Soul). It would have been awesome had they all come back, but Steven Tyler more than made up for the missing artists.

The ticket prices were pretty steep; it’s the most I’ve ever forked out for a concert performance. However it was worth every cent to see old-time rock favorites like More Than Words, La Grange, I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Mr. Brownstone, Whole Lotta Love, Tush, Surrender, Cheap Sunglasses and Walk This Way, being performed live.

The stage backdrop and lighting was far more lively and interactive than last year. I could not take any photos as I was on the floor in front of the stage head-banging like a boozy teenager. It was actually sad to see so many people looking into their smartphone cameras trying to record the performance, rather than just enjoying the spectacle. And it was good to see quite a few older folk (like me) also at the concert, some of whom that can still shake that booty.

The tedious drive back in the rain to the game farm we booked in at was a schlep in the early morning hours, especially after missing a turn in the pitch darkness and getting lost, but it’s hard to wear off the kind of euphoria one is left with after a great concert. If they return next year, I don’t think I could stay away, especially if they bring Steven Tyler back.

Check out some of the photos taken by the media here.

Kings Of Chaos

Putting together former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke with Joe Elliott from Def Leppard, Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge, Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple, Dave Kushner from Velvet Revolver and Ed Roland from Collective Soul, was a feat of genius.

This collaboration going by the aptly named Kings of Chaos, performed in the Sun City Superbowl this Saturday past, and in Cape Town a week earlier. And I was not going to miss it for the world; the bout of flu that took me by surprise on Thursday was just going to have to wait…

The girls and I cruised on up from Johannesburg to Sun City on Saturday, stopping by a pub on the way that served home-made beer. You could say that drinking beer while nursing a cold, is like having an appetite for destruction, but thankfully the sheer excitement of getting to witness rock royalty, kept me going.

So there was no Axl Rose, but when Myles Kennedy got stuck into Sweet Child O Mine, it was hard to tell he was missing. Myles of Alter Bridge is an awesome vocalist. But let’s not forget Glenn Hughes amazing delivery of the Deep Purple classics, Smoke on the Water and Highway Star and Joe Elliott’s retake of the Def Leppard favorites Animal, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Two Steps Behind. And off course Slash… a guitar god.

When the lounge chairs were pulled up on stage for the acoustic set, the crowd went wild in anticipation. Off course Glenn Hughes and Joe Elliott did not fail to meet expectations. An added bonus was Kings Of Chaos renditions of the Dylan classic Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Zeppelin’s Communication Breakdown and Bowie’s All The Young Dudes.

A special mention must got to Ed Roland who sang all my favorite Collective Soul favorites with gusto and aplomb. He’s getting on in years, but is still a superb performer.

For a little over two hours, we were all in rock heaven. South Africa has not been this spoiled for a long time. And then came Myles Kennedy with the closing song Paradise City, and it was over…

Sigh! Oh, to see it all again, and again.