Sons of Apollo, Winery Dogs, Dee Snider Rock Tribute to David Z.
Sons of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, Dee Snider + More Rock Heartfelt 'Ultimate Jam Night' Tribute to David Z.
The music world has been mourning the loss of Adrenaline Mob bassist David Z., who died in a tragic vehicle accident while the band was on their most recent tour. The loss especially hit home with the music community in Los Angeles, where the weekly Ultimate Jam Night gathered a wealth of special guests, all lining up to share stories and pay musical homage to the musician. A line curled around the door of the Whisky-a-Go-Go, as the show maxed out capacity for those hoping to take part in the musical celebration.
David's brother and onetime ZO2 bandmate Paulie Z. has been a longtime host for Ultimate Jam Night in L.A. and was a key part of the night's proceedings. Before the show started, those in attendance were treated to a video with David Z. playing an insane bass solo. The evening was set up in such a manner to not only play songs from bands that David Z. performed in, but also music from groups his bands had opened for and some of his varied influences.
Opening with a bit of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who also featured David Z. as a member, violin players Roddy Chong and Mark Wood helped the house band get things off with a rousing start with the "Christmas Eve / Sarajevo" instrumental. Zinna.TV, who broadcasts Ultimate Jam Night, helped fill the time between songs speaking with many of the night's attendees sharing stories about the the musician.
The evening had some interesting musical pairings, with Poison's Rikki Rockett and Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath performing "Ain't Nothin' But a Good Time." Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes and Bullet Boys' Marq Torien sported matching white suits while playing a duet of "With a Little Help From My Friends" with Eagles of Death Metal's Jenny V. sitting in on bass.
With all three members of The Winery Dogs in attendance, there was an impromptu reunion of the trio who are currently on a break pursuing other projects. And speaking of those other projects, the newly announced Sons of Apollo featuring Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Jeff Scott Soto took the stage to perform covers of Van Halen's "And the Cradle Will Rock" and Deep Purple's "Burn," marking their first stage appearance since the band was announced. Kotzen, meanwhile, delivered a solo acoustic version of "I Would" for David Z.
It was also a night for a family affair, as Twisted Sister's Dee Snider was joined onstage by his son and Ultimate Jam Night regular Jesse as well Jesse's young son, giving fans in the audience three generations of Sniders. Dee was joined by Mike Portnoy on several songs, but the kit was missing a cowbell so the drummer improvised on "We're Not Gonna Take It."
The evening also featured appearances by onetime KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, King's X's Dug Pinnick, Quiet Riot's Frankie Banali, Chris Wyse, Joe Retta and a wealth of other special guests, including Sebastian Bach, who did not sing, but did offer some moving words about David Z. The night finished with the house band of Mitch Perry, Walter Ino, Sean McNabb, and Joe Travers joined by Ed Roth, Michael Martinsson and a choir led by Kevin Parker Robinson singing Bob Dylan's classic "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
See photos from the special David Z. Ultimate Jam Night salute posted above and to make donations to the David Z. Fund, you can do so here.
Source: Sons of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, Dee Snider + More Rock Heartfelt 'Ultimate Jam Night' Tribute to David Z.