Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2025 – Coverage and Photos by Dawn Osborne

Going all the way to Miami for MORC and the plane ride and hotel rooms that lead up to it always give it an extra sense of expectation! The weather is good in Miami so that’s a great start! This is not an idle intro, the weather really matters for the outdoor stages such as the pre-party and the Pool stage. I also took it as a good omen that the Uber that turned up to take me to the preparty had the registration “DIO 3TU”. I met Ronnie once when I was a kid on the Holy Diver tour and he was so nice to me I have only good memories of him and Jimmy Bain.

I get to the Magic Casino to collect my media pass before the first band are on. Soto Bieler are great fun telling jokes from the off. Bieler billed Soto as “the greatest Puerto Rican Viking of all time” and he came late on stage apparently because “they didn’t believe me that Puerto Rico was part of the USA”. ‘More Than Words’ the Extreme song and ‘What You Say’ from Saigon Kick Bieler’s former band were amongst the tracks done. The guitar player from Eclipse and WET got up to do something from the first WET album. They left wishing everyone a great cruise.

Wildstreet seized the baton and opened with ‘Tennessee Cocaine’. ‘Poison Kiss’, ‘Soldier Of Love’ ‘Cocked and Ready’ and ‘Easy Does It’ were other hits of theirs they delivered with sass and conviction. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen the band live as they have never played yet in the UK, and it is strange for this to be in broad daylight in Florida. I always imagined it would be in a dark nightclub on the wrong side of town. Nevertheless they made a great fist of it and it was great to see Eric, not just an impressive frontman, but also a proficient guitarist.

Ted Poley is always a bundle of sunshine and he was up next smiling his way through his set. As such there is automatically a feel good factor and as he expresses “we love you” after performing the Jack Jones cover ‘The Love Boat’ the reply from the audience comes “we love you more”.  It’s largely a Danger Danger set with famous tracks like ‘Monkey Business’ and ‘Naughty Naughty’, but the changes are rung with a performance with the youngster Kobi Reese who at 14 years old looks extremely comfortable on stage performing hard rock coming on in a blonde wig and tattoo sleeves to be a mini-Ted. Following that we get Jean Beauvoir join Ted as a guest for ‘Born To Be Wild’. The set was finished with the song Ted wrote specifically for the Cruise ‘The Monsters Of Rock Anthem’. Exhorting the crowd to “put those monster paws together” and running out amongst the audience to reach out further to his audience he  always manages to make a great connection. Before he left he reminded people to consider donating to animal shelters or should they buy merch he would send something to the animals for each item bought.

The stage was, therefore, suitably toastie for The Cruel Intentions who have made a heady rise from one appearance on the cruise before, to almost top billing at the pre-party. “We are The Cruel Intentions and we play Rock ‘n’ Roll” Lizzy declares and there is a distinctly holiday feeling to their set including “Chemical Vacation” and “Sunrise Over Sunset”. They are the essential party band and reminding the crowd we are gonna do just that for five days straight is just the kind of encouragement we need to realise that for the next five days we can all live and breathe rock n roll. Before “Goddamn Monday” the comment is “We usually hate Mondays, but tomorrow is gonna be a wonderful Monday”. We all share his sense of delight. The Scandinavians have truly taken the years of the Sunset Strip to their hearts and the crowd know authentic Rock ‘n’ Rollers when they see them.

The final act is an all star jam which begins with a few songs from Little Ozzy ‘Crazy Train’, ‘Flying High Again’ (my favourite Ozzy song very rarely covered) and ‘Bark At The Moon’) all superb crowd favourites and yes as Ozzy apparently said himself it sounds remarkably like him.

Age from Wig Wam was next doing ‘Highway Star’ by Deep Purple and ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ by Queen.  Taking on Ian Gillan and Freddie Mercury is very brave, but it’s all very good fun and Age has never been faint hearted. Kobi Reese took to the stage again for a version of Black Sabbath’s ‘The Wizard’.

And then on bounces Sebastian Bach. As promised the Blonde Bombshell performing the Skid Rows song ‘Here I Am’ and ‘I Remember You’ and ‘Youth Gone Wild’ with Kobe Reese which Sebastian clearly loved doing. Entering fully into the spirit of the All Star jam he also did ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, ‘You Really Got Me’ and ‘Paradise City’. He is also clearly full of the joys of the cruise and reminding everyone he was born in the Bahamas where the cruise will go. Sebastian is the quintessential rock star, just that little bit dangerous and underneath a bit of a sweetheart if you catch him at the right time. For me this was really the best pre-party I can remember and a great start to the cruise.

As I left I witnessed Chris Holmes near the stage enthusiastically meeting and greeting the cruisers with his wife Cathy and his band. The uber guy picking me up asked me in a high pitched can’t-believe-his-luck surprised kinda way “Is this a STRIP CLUB?”, somewhat flattering to all the cruisers flooding out of the casino in their rock finery.  Misguided, but it did make me laugh. He could tell we were all having way too much fun!

 

Day 1

For anyone reading my report on the Cruise for the first time it’s impossible to see every band or do anything like every event on the Cruise. I don’t drink, often miss meals and am on the go from roughly 9.30 till about 1am every day and I do as much as I can. MORC is a vacation for me and this is a personal account of my experience, no more, no less. Apologies if I didn’t see your favourite band or see your band play all its shows. No one person’s experience on the Cruise is the same as another, it’s part of the magic of MORC!

Despite a few delays with embarkation (apparently due to IT issues with NCL nothing to do with MORC), I manage to be making my way down the steps for the first Vandenberg show in the theatre. What a great show to kick off with as it was apparent that despite past vocal issues singer Mats Leven is back with his gloriously rich toned voice that is remarkably like David Coverdale’s. With a set consisting of largely vintage Whitesnake it was lovely to hear favourite songs beautifully done now that we are no longer hearing live now that Whitesnake are no longer touring. Further tracks like ‘Cryin In The Rain’ received fervour from the crowd who sang every word as in the last few years Whitesnake did not always include it in the set so it feels like an age since we have heard it. Heartfelt tribute was paid to the recently deceased John Sykes before ‘Still Of The Night’. Adrian was brilliant with all his old Whitesnake solos, but perhaps not surprisingly his most expressive face during a solo was reserved for ‘Burning Heart’ his most famous solo record.

Perhaps it is ironic that my next step was WigWam on the pool deck, and in pretty much the only shower that we suffered for the whole voyage Age had to do his set under precipitation. However, from his smiling Viking determination you would never have guessed! His happy spirit shone through nevertheless.

Stephen Pearcy in the theatre was another huge shot in the arm for the first day. Despite a bit of feedback Stephen looked and sounded super cool and masterfully worked his way through a Ratt-heavy set giving the crowd just want they wanted. Personally ‘You’re In Love’ is one of my favourite rock songs ever so I was happy. ‘The party has started!’ He proclaimed before launching into ‘Lay It Down’. Finishing with ‘Round and Round’ another amazing show.

From shows full of my favourites songs to another I take in the Chris Holmes band in the Manhattan room. This first set was focussed on WASP favourites and ‘Love Machine’ ‘Blind In Texas’ and ‘I Wanna Be Somebody’ get the crowd going wild. Chris is really enjoying himself and in ‘Sleeping with the Fire’ he goes for it just like back in the day. Singer Ollie Tindall sounds quite a lot like Blackie and since we can’t have the real thing, we got next best. Chris’ remarkable solo in ‘Wild Child’ shows us that he is completely back to health after his brush with throat cancer and still looking long and lean the ‘Mean Man’ triumphed. Taking over on vocals for an extra personal touch Chris finished with ‘Born To Be Wild’ and ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’.

I cut across to Spice H20 for The Cruel Intentions. I only got a view from a very oblique angle as eager fans were able to get there earlier than me, but it was great to see the band do it all over again with the enthusiasm of youth. Robin the drummer, being much closer to the audience than the previous night, took advantage between his remarkably hard drumming to add in stick twirling and jumping up tricks to connect with the crowd. The band are apparently hungover and they do have one false start with Lizzy turning to Robin to say ‘WTF’. All smiles they simply begin again as if it had not happened and the crowd don’t mind, they are just delighted to see the show. Jocke of Hardcore Superstar, a frustrated frontman eager to get on stage with his band not playing the first day, did what Vikings do, invaded the stage, sang a chorus and then stage dived into the audience!

I catch Slaughter on the Pool Deck looking smiley and delivering all their hits. Touchingly Mark Slaughter expressed his love for Taime Downe before ‘Fly To The Angels’. The recent tragedy whereby Taime lost his fiance Kim on the 80s Cruise barely a week ago meant Faster Pussycat are not on the boat and Mark is not the only one to be thinking a lot about the sobering reality of what happened as we ourselves get on a ship. Delivering solos on the end of the long walkway stage ‘Up All Night’ is a great track for what lots of cruisers are about to do. Sebastian Bach turned up and rocked out with his wife on the private pavilion. As I left I see him by the lift and exchange a few words having interviewed him recently for Fireworks Magazine. Having bagged a photo with the drop dead gorgeous Todd Kerns (playing with Michael Monroe) and had a lovely chat and selfie with the super stylish Rob Wylde of Midnite City I hit the hay exhausted.

Day 2

I start early with a trip to Smugglers’ Alley, where the generosity of Cruisers knows now bounds. About fifty people are swapping MORC mementoes and giving away really cool items. My favourite acquisitions were super useful little tins containing heart shaped mints with a really well done cross guitars design and matching necklaces and earrings made of Hardcore Superstar guitar picks.

My next stop was Paul Stanley paint class. At least three things are always happening across the ship and despite playing hookie mid class to go and get my photo taken with LA Guns and Stephen Pearcy, and take pictures of Adrian Vandenberg at his Q and A, I manage to finish and was pleased with the result. Ron the artist is great at bringing the best out of people so there were a lot of great efforts!

On the way back to my cabin with my painting still wet I catch the end of the line of people chatting and taking selfies with Adrian Vandenberg to get a great photo that one enthusiastic cruiser photobombed. I took the opportunity to tell him how great they sounded the day before!

The Bites are a great hi energy young band with great songs taking the baton for the genre and taking it into the future. I catch a few of their final tracks in Spice H20, the smaller of two outdoor pool stages on this ship and am reminded of their irrepressible spirit.

I make it to The Cruel Intentions Q and A compèred by DJ Will and there were funny as shit. Robin the drummer appears to be wearing Scooby Doo slippers and has given up his day job in cheese! Lizzy Devine shared that despite being “lazy bastards” they were hoping to get a new album out next year which will have heavier tracks but which will never lose their melodic heart (sharing that his own personal influences were Ratt, Poison and his favourite songwriter Jani Lane of Warrant. It was a dream come true when he managed to tour with such bands in his twenties when he lived in LA!). The band are planning more US shows.

Having my photo with Extreme never loses its thrill especially when Nuno says he remembers you. I remind him he last saw me in the pit when they supported the Scorpions at Wembley, obviously my subconcious is working overtime when I don’t actually say I was taking pictures I simply do the mime of taking photos with clicking sound effects mirroring Nuno’s frequent mime at photographers on stage, before I turn to meet Hardcore Superstar and Lynch Mob. I was sorry to hear George was ill and keeping his distance at the end of the group line. He did do a very cool double horns stance on my picture though. Just another photo op with legends, something I will never take for granted, nor the hard work of April and the crew that set them up.

Eddie Trunk is meant to be doing interviews every day, but the continuing IT difficulties on the ship means he was unable to even get one show out live. He told a hilarious story later when the audience having dissipated one drunk late guy commiserated with him “ I’m so sorry no one turned up for your show!” I can testify when they do go ahead Eddie’s shows are always packed to the gunnels.

It does mean, however, that I can catch the whole of the Tesla show in the theatre without FOMO. Jeff Keith never loses his sunny disposition and warmth towards the crowd. His distinctive voice hasn’t changed and with the excellent technical playing of his band mates it’s always a classy show. They also remember to thank the crew for making it all possible. I loved hearing ‘Little Suzi’ again, the Tesla version was always so much better than the original from PhD.

I make it to the Atrium to hear the rousing strains of ‘Animal’ from Chris Holmes. The Atrium is one of the best venues on the new ship to meet artists after their shows and Chris stays till the very last person has had a photo, a selfie or a chat. I get a quick selfie and am hugely honoured when Chris asked to do an interview. I don’t know how either of us will fit it in, and I don’t have any interview equipment with me, but I promise to speak to his wife Cathy. Who can say no to Chris?

I catch most of the Wildstreet show in the cavern. It was glorious to see them at the pre party, but this kind of dirty sleazy band come alive in small dark club like this. Singer Eric Jayk is in his element and has the crowd in the palm of his hand. “Any vampires in the house? I do not bite unless you want me to”. The energy bursts out of the seams of the tiny venue and I tear myself away for the legend that is Michael Schenker which is another highly anticipated packed show.

Michael Monroe was made to entertain and with his incredible energy and acrobatics he was mesmerizing at the pool. Striking in his custom leather red and white outfit, no compromises are made for an outdoor performance in the Bahamas! He delighted the crowd by giving one of his hand stamped autographed Japanese paper fans to a tiny kid sitting on the edge of the walkway stage to see. Sebastian Bach turned up to rock out, but sadly Michael did not see him while he was on stage. Had he done so he said he would have pulled Sebastian up to do ‘Up Around The Bend’. We must make that happen one day. Todd Kerns fitted right in, but we did, of course, miss Sami. A surprise cover at the end was ‘Radar Love’ something I don’t think I have ever seen Michael do before.

I catch the end of the Midnite City show on the other outdoor Pool stage. Rob Wylde is a seasoned performer due to his previous bands, not the least Tigertailz. With their classy AOR harmonies they seems to be taking their performance at MORC completely in their stride! He is wearing the same belt worn by Bret Michaels at Donington all those years ago (purple suede studded Red Balls On Fire with large metal 3D military style stars) and is bringing the glamour. It is his fiancé’s Amy birthday and he jokes that she is better known than the band!

I manage to catch a fair few from Winger in the theatre, but it clashes now the Lynch Mob show postponed from the first day when George wasn’t feeling well. As such heartbreakingly I have to split my time.

I wanted to see the whole show now that Winger have already done their last show in the UK and have announced they will no longer regularly tour. Winger provided the melodic excellence and flawless execution, Lynch Mob provided the energy of their new singer for a more metal show and the spontaneity of George’s solos. George has, if anything, moved towards an appreciation of heavier stuff as he has got older bucking the usual trend. George still looking amazing at 70 now with his striking white hair, he showed no signs of being ill, what a trooper!

I see the end of what was no doubt a huge line to chat with Michael Monroe still running after his show an hour or so ago and grab a quick photo. I head exhausted to crash in my cabin.

Day 3

The ship has pulled into Great Stirrup Cay but I have no time for that. Having lunch with Ollie and Lex of the Chris Holmes Band/The Wicked Jackals I say “it’s just beach and shit” and Ollie comments “…the majesty of the Bahamas .. (with mock casualness) just beach and shit” But we all have our priorities ..

I start my day at the Lynch Mob Q and A and they are really really funny, seeing them bounce off each other illustrates that they really are a gang and get on really well. It was surprising to find out drummer Jimmy D’Anda won’t be playing with them anymore and that was a little bit sad, hopefully he will be back on MORC with his new solo band. Highlights of the chat was the story about when George was pulled off a plane when a customs official thought that his vintage guitar gear was bomb making equipment. George was forced to set it up and play through it, but was caught out when the official demanded that if George was a professional guitar player he should play ‘Stairway To Heaven’. George has never played covers and it was something he did not know how to do. It was also hilarious to see a new member comfortable enough to say in response to a question “What’s it like to play with Lynch Mob?”..”Horrifying.. as I never know what’s going to be said between songs” and apparently they take their life into their hands when George drives. Apparently George does not own any old memorabilia “He puts it all on the merch desk”. It is apparently completely true that as a young rocker Jimmy opened the door of the cop car out of which George streaked up the Hollywood Hills to escape arrest. He didn’t know George at the time so was astonished as a fan to see him in a cop car mouthing ‘O-PEN THE DOOR”. One other priceless story is that when auditioning for the Ozzy band George had cut his hair as he was working a liquor truck job to make ends meet, apparently when Ozzy came to complain to George about the length of his hair Ozzy was bald! Apparently he could not see the irony when George pointed this out. (Jake E Lee apparently got the job with his long ringlets down to his ass despite apparently not knowing any Ozzy songs for the audition.) George also worked back in the day as a vacuum cleaner salesman, but despite cleaning whole houses as demonstration apparently never sold any. The door of one house he attended was opened by Karen Carpenter, and after being fired by Ozzy ended up attending her wake after he wandered over to see what the event was at the funeral party across the street. She was apparently laying in state with two drumsticks across her chest having been an incredible drummer. Another memorable story is that when on tour with Eddie Van Halen George had problems with his gear and got to use Eddie’s back line, he says that experience of jamming with Eddie changed him as a guitar player forever.

At the photo experience The Cruel Intentions pull a different pose for every cruiser, making them incredibly fun for the photographer shooting them. Robin is wearing a purple two piece Hawaiian shirt with enormous yellow bananas print and matching slouchy shorts and the photographer cracks up when Lizzy attempts to perform deep throat on his Corona beer. Punning on several levels, just as we pose I say ‘No Cheese!’ in a disapproving manner referring to Robin giving up his cheese business, the expression ‘Cheese’ usually said when taking photos and with a tertiary meaning of Cheesey metal. Thought of on the spot, but  I don’t think Don Jamieson need worry about me taking his job.. moving swiftly on..

I caught the whole Tyketto show at the Pool with one of the best voices on the cruise Danny still cuts a striking figure with his waist length white hair. He confirms they are planning a new album this year. They have a couple of hiccups “the heat is killing the gear” but largely it is a flawless wonderful performance. ‘Forever Young’ in the Bahamas .. what’s not to like.

After having have my photo taken with Wildstreet, Hurricane, Rhino Bucket (lovely to see Brian from Kix) and Massive Wagons I catch a tiny bit of the Australian Sister’s Doll who have been the backing band for Bruce Kilick and Peter Criss. They get the marketing award for the cruise as every time I got in a lift they had someone telling everyone not to miss their show! I didn’t see enough to pass judgement, but Nuno said they were great and I guess he knows a lot more than me.

I caught most of the Shiraz Lane show in the atrium. Finnish and full of energy like all the Scandinavian bands on the boat they surprise the early crowd at sound check by playing some Darkness (who will be on the boat next year).

Extreme are running late but when they start they do a great theater show. Nuno is still wearing the brace from his injury playing basketball a couple of cruises ago, so sorry to see that it’s still an issue, but it didn’t affect the show. Amazingly there are a number of people who put their hands up when asked if they are seeing Extreme for the first time. As Nuno said ‘Where have you been, it’s only been 38 years’. Better late than never to see such a classic band. Sorry for being such a girl, but Nuno came on briefly with no shirt, worth the ticket price alone! There’s also a comedy moment when Nuno wipes his crotch with a cloth and then wipes his face! Musically fabulous, but always something new to see each time as well.

Very sadly at Ted Poley’s show in the Manhattan room his drummer Pauly suffered a heart attack and mini stroke while playing. No one knew till at the end he got up and immediately collapsed. CPR was administered which probably saved his life and he was taken to hospital in the Bahamas and then onto the USA. Mercifully he has since posted pictures on Facebook sitting up in bed saying he is now feeling fine.

This time I get to see the whole Bites show in the Smokehouse. Another young band whose energy works well in a small club environment. Everything is going great when suddenly Jono manages to short out his amp. One of the best things about this is that being such a comfortable frontman Jordan simply observes that “Jono rocked too hard” and chats and interviews the crowd till it is fixed. Wonderful showmanship and great to see. They are always super fun and a great addition to the Cruise. Their relentless energy reminds me a bit of Airbourne, although musically they are less AC/DC and more Sunset Strip.

There’s a knock on delay in the theatre so I get a place at the front for Michael Monroe’s second show. I scream when Michael gives me one of his signed Japanese fans in red, something I had always wanted since the very first London show he threw them out. A great treat to see this veteran of Hanoi Rocks killing it on the Cruise. The lovely Todd Kerns strikes a pose for me and I snap it up!

 

I catch a few more Chris Holmes on the Pool deck, but have to hot foot it to the rearranged LA Guns show in the Atrium. Tracii Guns has a condition that means their show had to be moved from the Pool stage and they chose the Atrium which had no seats and a balcony area surrounding the band like a womb. And the atmosphere is indeed electric, the crowd were super stoked to see the band in this intimate environment and although the sound is not as good as the theatre it was a very cool experience. Phil sounds great acappella for ‘The ballad of Jayne’ and the crowd sang super loud. Given the choice I think the atrium was a better venue for LA Guns than the seated theatre even if there was a slight trade off sound wise.

Day 4

I start the day at Larry’s talk disclosing the line up for the next cruise and it is killer including Black Label Society, The Darkness, The Almighty, Lita Ford and The Quireboys (with Spike).

I rush off to take photos of Chris Holmes at paint class. Chris’ painting looks different to everyone else’s, his background is a sky of flame colours and he has Phil Lynott flipping the bird with his middle finger. He “wanted to have him with a needle sticking out of his arm as that how he died” he tells me sorrowfully “but I couldn’t get it to look right”. He has everyone rolling in the aisles with his tales of what happened when he was looking for the Mona Lisa in the “loo”, even the American photographer Mike Savoy thought that Chris was talking about the toilet, until someone translated that Chris was in fact saying “Louvre” no one had even questioned the original interpretation .. it was Chris Holmes talking after all. Chris had gone by this point. He had sold his painting to a fellow class mate for $400 before it was even finished. His wife Cathy plans to put him in front of an easel the minute they get home! Afterwards the teacher Ron asked Larry for Chris to be put on the boat next year just to do paint classes. Apparently Ron has never laughed so much in his life!

Following photos with Aldo Nova, Winger, Vandenberg and Jared James Nichols I see with disappointment I have missed the Michael Schenker Q and A and the George Lynch guitar clinic. It is impossible to do everything you want to do on the Cruise, so many magical things happening all at once.

But I catch more Wildstreet in the Atrium and a little bit of Kip Winger with expert judges like Nuno Bettencourt, Aldo Nova and Joel Hoekstra. Courtney Cox got the prize for the best line “I come here to meet my future ex-husband” addressed to a young shredder in the competition.

At the Michael Monroe Q and A I cannot catch everything he says as he speaks so quickly with a Finnish accent, goodness knows what he was like in the old days on speed! I do understand that his influences were Little Richard, The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper. He decided to do hard rock for a living after seeing Black Sabbath on the tv, before that he only knew classical music! Rather sweetly he saw Led Zep II and thought the people on the cover were the band! The first recorded he bought was Fireball by Deep Purple. Apparently he and his wife went to Ritchie Blackmore’s house for Christmas. The verdict: “he goofs off on everyone, but is ok if you bite back”. When asked about starting the Glam scene in LA he said “Don’t blame me for that shit!”. When reflecting on being homeless when the band moved to the USA he reflected that he was happy, he had his band. His clothes are apparently made by Sam Sam leather in Finland. I got to ask a question “I love Todd … but is Sami ok?” Michael quipped , he didn’t know, ok being a relative question, but luckily Sami Yaffa, co-original member of Hanoi Rocks is fine, but just had a prior TV commitment that clashed with the Cruise. Sami does a tv show on the heritage of music around the world for Finnish TV. Michael told stories with working with Guns N Roses on Use Your Illusion and how Axl had introduced himself when Michael was shooting a music video and ended up starring in the video at the end.  Michael used to share a flat in London with Stiv Bators and Johnny Thunders. Apparently it was never a dull moment. When the little kid (seven years old if he was a day) that got a fan at the pool stage’s question was “Was it all just sex, drugs and rock n roll?”, Michael admitted there was no sex, but a lot of the rest. Michael has written his autobiography and is presently translating it personally from the Finnish into English. He feels only he can express it exactly the way he wants to, but it is a time consuming task.

After another stellar photo experience with Chris Holmes, Michael Schenker, Rose Tattoo and Slaughter I get my second helping of Stephen Pearcy who comes onto the Pool stage midday in a leather jacket, leather trousers and studded codpiece. Not even appearing to sweat he finished his usual set no problem, what a cool dude! I enjoy an icecream watching his set.

After another dose of The Cruel Intentions, why does it feel right to put it that way I wonder, I see Tesla again on the Pool. Jeff Keith is having so much fun with the crowd that he forgets to sing the words to ‘Little Suzi’. Frank steps in to sing (doing a really good job) and gives Jeff a Paddington Bear stare, but the crowd don’t mind, it’s all part of the fun!

I catch a little of Milijenko Matijjevic (of Steelheart) delivering energetic acoustic songs in the Cavern. He is so keen to connect with the audience he moves the stage mid crowd for a real Irish pub feel.

LA Guns were even more electric in the Manhattan room. The place really begin to pulse the way it used to when they played the Underworld in the UK. The dark atmosphere suits the brooding intro’s by Tracii of Ozzy’s ‘Diary Of A Madman’, ‘Paint It Black’ and ‘Hell’s Bells’ and the band’s sleaze rock material such as  ‘Sex Action’ and ‘Electric Gypsy’ while all hell is breaking loose Phil is always loud and clear over the top. For ‘The Ballad of Jayne’ the crowd sing “like a band of angels”. Johnny Martin and Ace Johnson have limited room but duck and dive around each other with their energetic Rock n roll moves.

The Pool deck is ridiculously packed for Nightranger’s one and only show on the ship for which they have boarded in the Bahamas. Not only their greatest hits such as ‘Sister Christian’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me you Love Me’, the show includes the Damn Yankees hit ‘Coming of Age’, ‘School’s Out’ and ‘Crazy Train’. Although I had heard about it from Brad Gillis himself it’s the first time I had seen the part where the whole band play drums and Keri Kelli wears a wolf mask. They did everything they could to make it the antithesis of a jaded old AOR band and were full of energy and fun.

My last band of the day, but certainly not least were Hardcore Superstar in the theatre. They never change it’s the same songs and the same shtick, but somehow they are always one of the best bands on the boat. I think it’s because their complete love of Rock ‘n’ Roll shines through and they were one of the pioneers of the Scandinavian phenomena, tons of fresh exciting new Scandinavian bands on the boat, hell next’s years Cruise has Vikings as a theme!

 

Day 5

We are docked in Nassau, but some people do manage to get off the ship. Video are later shared of Michae Monroe high kick dancing like a sprite with a local stilt walker and posing with Pirates.

Some people have partied so hard they have fallen by the wayside and events are noticeably less oversubscribed on the last day. They clearly have failed to heed Ms Black’s advice “It’s a marathon not a sprint people”. Chris Holmes is still going strong and I have breakfast with him and his wife Cathy making arrangements for our interview later in the day.

I check in at Lemmy paint class. It was sad to find out that having an infected tooth Adrian Vandenberg has been unable to make it and has sent some signed mini guitars instead, but I take pictures of Sister’s Doll, Bryce Lipz and his brothers, before heading off to catch a little Aldo Nova in the theatre.

Onto the Chris Holmes Q and A. Things have calmed down sufficiently that Phil Lewis of LA Guns feels comfortable enough to attend and reminisce with Chris about his time in LA Guns telling the story when Chris angered about a show cancellation ran through an airport shirtless shouting “where’s my money Riley?” (RIP Steve Riley former drummer of LA Guns). Chris said he told Riley “Tell Phil to Fuck Off”. Phil Lewis laughed and said he never got that message. Chris banged his head on the plane “F’ck these things are made for Pygmies” and said he has banged his head on so many things and been knocked out on stage with a frozen roast that “If I lost my hair I would look like the moon”. Chris told stories about meeting Eddie Van Halen when he was 14 saying if he hadn’t met him his guitar sound would never have been the same as it is. He said meeting Tony Iommi and doing loads of coke with him was like meeting Jesus Christ. He told stories of how Ozzy came over for a BBQ when he was married to Lita Ford and ran around all over the place with his arms behind him like a plane “he was f’cked up all day”.

I make up for the Wigwam’s truncated show on the first day by seeing them again on the Pool in much better weather. They are full of full and sound great. Age is in great form wearing his full stage outfit in the midday sun, he joked this is because the engineer told him that naked his legs were so wide they would block out  the lights. He also said how when they won the Eurovision Song Contest they wrote ‘Daredevil Heat’ about their manager who thought their career would only last six months so made them do three shows a day which almost killed them. Age says his band has the best guitar player in the world and indeed Teeny obliges with some excellent shredding and Bluesy playing redolent of John Norum of Europe. They finish with their ‘Peacemaker’ anthem ‘Do You Wanna Taste It’. Five days of partying is not enough to diminish Age’s absolute sparkle onstage. Belying the bands slightly comedic approach, he is also an excellent singer.

After a quick photo experience with Michael Monroe and Tyketto I meet Chris Holmes in the café for a quick interview which you can see on You Tube. The ship is noisy and I had no equipment, but it was great fun and Chris never fails to surprise telling stories about great characters in Rock such as Freddie Mercury. He only actually told one story I had to cut out as being too close to the bone. When asked about not being part of the anniversary celebrations of WASP he simply said that Blackie could do his own thing and did not appear in the slightest bit bitter. He seemed genuinely humble when I praised him for being an asset to the cruise by being one of the most approachable people aboard. When I suggested he was a little bit like Sebastian and someone off camera said “Sebastian says stuff and pays the consequences later” Chris showed enough self knowledge to say “Story of My Life”. I still maintain that a collaboration between Seb Bach and Chris would be a great thing to see.  A little later his wife Cathy shares video of Chris running amok in the Garden Café wearing a chef hat demanding to know if anyone wants him to cook to no reply.

Knowing it will probably be the last time I will see them I stay for the whole Winger show on the Pool deck, apart from a quick detour to get an ice cream where I meet Tracii Guns putting sprinkles on his! The band are delivering superb solo after superb solo, but maybe not enough greatest hits for a tired crowd on day 5. Kip realises this and soon pulls it back with ‘Ez Come Ez go’ and ‘Madeleine’.

Vixen were fabulous and charismatic in the theatre. It’s not the same deal as Janet, but while they don’t really sound the same they are full of fun and Share not being around, Julia Lage is a real asset on bass and all the girls bring something worthwhile to the party. Roxy is the same superstar and it was lovely to see her play again.

Extreme go on a little bit late, but they are worth the wait! It is a similar set as the theatre, but one can simply not get enough of these boys. Nuno apologises for being late if people are missing other bands and jokes that he stole a lot of stuff from George Lynch who now wants to beat him up every time he sees him. They finish with ‘Ain’t Talkin Bout Love’.

 

I do indeed sadly miss Vandenberg’s second show and am late for Hardcore Superstar who are doing a different set including ‘Moonshine’ for example. They are still full of beans when they must have been partying quite hard with all their friends on the ship. They finish with an excellent live version of Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’.

I hate missing The Bites’ second show, but Michael Schenker calls from the theatre. A few songs in Robin McAuley trips over a loose wire on a monitor and takes a tumble to screams from girls on the front row. Luckily other that a tender posterior which he rubs a little he ends up little the worse for wear and still smiling. The good news is that he sounds better than ever. Joel Hoekstra comes on to guest for ‘Natural Thing’ and Jeff Scott Soto for ‘Too Hot To Handle’. They finish with ‘Lights Out’ very appropriate for my last live song on this year’s cruise.

I retire to my cabin knowing I’ll be up early as we have to vacate cabins by 8.30. But the fun is not quite over.

Day 6

We are leaving the ship. One of my last acts before breakfast involves a little gift I received in Smuggler’s Alley a small glass vial of little ‘F’ck’ words cut out of wood. Realising these are a hostage to fortune on an international plane journey as I emerge by the lift I see The Bites, ‘Perfect’ I think. I hold up the little glass vial and in Andy McCoy declaratory style I ask theatrically ‘Does anyone want some F’cks to give’. Jono says immediately in a warm Californian accent ‘I’ll take those’. I hand them over and I rush off to breakfast before they can say anything else. I guess hanging out with Chris Holmes rubs off after a while. And as I take my luggage off the door kept opening to reveal entire bands like the Michael Monroe waiting for the lift. I share a laugh and a selfie in the same elevator with  Jeff Keith of Tesla who is rather sweetly wearing a crew T-shirt. As I sit on the shuttle bus Nuno stands right in front of my window waiting for his. Even in the airport I wander into the Italian restaurant and see Michael Monroe with his wife.

The Monsters of Rock Cruise is like no other Rock event on earth. No where else do the Rockstars live cheek by jowl with the audience and very few hide in their cabins. There is quite simply so much to do on the boat and so many other Rockstars no one feels cornered. Also the veterans have worked out that getting involved with everything on the ship is a lot more fun than eating in your cabin alone. Sebastian Bach was spotted in the Casino and out and about taking in shows he didn’t want to miss. Larry has said in the future he may do cruises in Europe or out of LA, but next years is set for April out of Miami. Sign me up!

PS Sometimes photos shown here were the ones that told the narrative rather than the most difficult shots or the most artistic or dramatic ones. I have loads of great photos and more will be hitting social media so keep your eyes peeled.

Dawn Osborne