Tom Keifer and his band brought The Live/Loud Tour 2023 which has been going strong since February to Houston’s Midtown for a stop at RISE Rooftop on Friday night. Hosting the night and introducing each band was American music historian, radio personality and talk show host Eddie Trunk.

    Starting off the night was a local favorite, Love and War. A hard rocking 5-piece band with members, vocalist Jeff Vandenberghe, guitarists John Adams and Gregg Gill, drummer Donny Bragg and bassist Ray Soliz. The group turned up the heat on what was already a hot stage as they kicked off their set with their namesake song, "Love And War" and from there they kept the crowd rocking and rolling through their 9 song set.

    Next on the bill was the former Motley Crue singer and current The Dead Daisies member, John Corabi. Wedged between 2 high powered rock and roll bands John was up against a bit of a wall with the H-town crowd that was somewhat a little too laid back during his acoustic set. Having seen John do his acoustic gig several times before this one seemed to lack the energy and excitement that I had been used to seeing. Nothing to fault John with here, his set was spot on, and he sounded great as always, but the crowd just didn’t seem into it.

    After a short set up Eddie Trunk took the stage to introduce The Tom Keifer Band.

    The Keifer Band started things off with “Life Was Here,” from Tom’s 2019 solo album Rise, and it was a fine way to get the show started. The band then followed up the opener with a couple of Cinderella songs, the 1992 “Hot & Bothered” and the 1991 “Heartbreak Station.” The only songs that strayed from the remaining heavily stacked Cinderella setlist were “The Death of Me” from Rise, and “Solid Ground” from the 2013 The Way Life goes album. The rest of the set was loaded with Cinderella classics including “Coming Home,” “Nobody’s Fool,” ”Somebody Save Me,” ”The Last Mile,” “Shake Me” followed by “Shelter Me.” Once a piano was moved onto the stage front and center, Tom took the keys for the power ballad “Don’t Know What You Got (Till Its Gone)” along with his wife Savanna Keifer accompanying him. The night was finished off with the crowd favorite “Gypsy Road.”

    Throughout the night Keifer continued with his dual role on vocals and guitar alongside guitarist Tony Higbee. Exceptional bass and keyboard work were provided by Billy Mercer and Kory Myers respectively with drummer Jared Pope providing exceptional rhythms. Bringing it all together on back-up vocals and percussion were Kendra Chantelle and Tom’s wife Savannah Keifer, the latter of which also plays piano on Tom’s solo album. Altogether, the seven-piece Tom Keifer Band proves to be the perfect match to highlight Tom’s exceptional talents.

    If you have never seen The Keifer Band live I would highly recommend it. Tom and Tony Higbee are two of the hardest working performers I have seen in recent memory and they pour their souls and sweat out for each song on stage.

Tom Keifer Band Setlist:
Life Was Here
Hot & Bothered (Cinderella song)
Heartbreak Station (Cinderella song)
The Death of Me
Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin' Apart at the Seams (Cinderella song)
Coming Home (Cinderella song)
Nobody's Fool (Cinderella song)
Solid Ground
Night Songs (Cinderella song)
Somebody Save Me (Cinderella song)
The Last Mile (Cinderella song)
Shake Me (Cinderella song)
Shelter Me (Cinderella song)
Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) (Cinderella song)
With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)
Gypsy Road (Cinderella song)