Raiding The Rock Vault

I loved RTRV the first time around. On second viewing, I loved it even more. My rating has been turned up to 11! This time I saw what would be considered the original Las Vegas cast. Both Howard Leese and Andrew Freeman were back off the road and in the comfy surroundings of the LVH Theater. And the dynamic of the show does change a little. Andrew Freeman adds extra energy and stage presence into an already great show. Having Howard Leese back appears to be helpful for Tracii as it appears that Tracii more or less steps into the roll of musical director when Howard is gone. This show is tight and these are great songs that this band brings to life like no other band can. See it! Experience it!

Do you need a trip down nostalgia lane? Well, follow the Yellow Brick Road or the Stairway to Heaven or Electric Avenue right to Raiding the Rock Vault (spoiler alert: only one of those geographically-named songs is actually in the show). This show has just enough cheesy-corny antics to make it Vegas-worthy but the real heart of the show is a very talented crew of musicians making up the best cover band you've ever heard. In several cases, it's not even a cover -- it's the real deal.

For example, Robin McAuley (of Survivor) is on hand to belt out Eye of the Tiger for you. And it's a small enough venue that you'll feel like he IS belting it out JUST FOR YOU. And just when I thought there was an oversight, that an essential song had been overlooked (internal monologue: "I REALLY wish they had included Jukebox Hero) it was like they read my mind and decided to close the show with the most killer version of Jukebox Hero that I've ever heard. Wine gets better with age and apparently, so do kick-ass musicians.

In addition to the super-group house band, they have regular "guest stars" join in to switch it up (Bobby Kimball/Asia; Joe Lynn Turner/Rainbow and Deep Purple; Lou Gramm/Foreigner) so if you're local, keep an eye out and see it more than once. As other reviewers have noted, this show does draw an older crowd which for me (in my 30s) is GREAT. I love to see shows with people who are there for the MUSIC and appreciate it enough to shut up, put their cell phones away and not be drunk-beyond-standing-up during the show.

The show runs a solid 2 hours - plan on it when making dinner plans. As far as Vegas ticket prices go, this is one of the best values out there.

Raiding the Rock Vault is AWESOME!!  My husband and I seen it Sunday Sept 22 and were blown away!!  We will DEFINITELY go again and have been telling EVERYONE this show is a MUST SEE!!