Bob Seger kicks off his 2013 tour Wednesday in Toledo
2/25/2013
Bob Seger performs at the Country Music Hall of Fame Inductions on in Nashville, Tenn.
It is difficult to imagine a more low-key, no frills, bona fide rock star than Bob Seger.
His 2013 “Rock and Roll Never Forgets” tour kicks off in his home away from home of Toledo Wednesday at the downtown Huntington Center, with a follow-up show here Friday, and there’s virtually no fanfare associated with the event.
No grand press releases announcing the gigs beyond the usual email blast of dates, times, and places. No greatest hits package, DVD retrospective, or new album that he’s hustling. Given that both shows are nearly sold out, obviously the demand remains high for the Detroit area artist’s timeless classic rock.
Seger and the Silver Bullet Band have played dozens of shows in northwest Ohio, dating back to his years hustling as a bar band in the ’60s to epic shows at the old Sports Arena in the 1970s and ’80s.
His concerts two years ago at the Huntington Center were raucous celebrations on a tour that he said at the time was a test for his voice’s ability to hold out over the course of several dozen dates. Now 67, it must have worked because he has dates booked all the way into April as he criss-crosses the country.
Seger’s popularity stems from his high-energy shows that combine Detroit grit with sophisticated songwriting skills and a string of hits that include “Night Moves,” “Main Street,” “Beautiful Loser,” “Turn the Page,” “Hollywood Nights,” “Old Time Rock and Roll,” and “Rock and Roll Never Forgets.”
He also is one of rock’s all-time nice guys and as part of his tour he plans to play a few shows with old buddies Kid Rock and Joe Walsh, although they are not scheduled for Toledo. The 19-show tour will take him deep into Canada and across the northern United States. Toledo is the only location where two shows are scheduled.
Tickets remain available for both Toledo shows. They are $70 before service charges are applied and are available the Huntington Center box office, 500 Jefferson Ave., at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Contact Rod Lockwood at: rlockwood@theblade.com or 419-724-6159.