A concert event 35 years in the making, the May 10th debut of KEELFEST in Columbus, Ohio left fans and friends with an unforgettable memory of a very special performance. Delivering over 32 songs without any breaks or set changes, fans from across the nation were treated to the KEEL classics like “Speed Demon” and “Tears Of Fire,” brand new music from the new Ron Keel Band album Fight Like A Band, and the first Steeler appearance since 1984 which featured iconic 80’s anthems like “Cold Day In Hell” and “Backseat Driver.”
Along the way, frontman Ron Keel also gave a nod to his former band IronHorse (“The Best Move”) and his Black Sabbath experience, as well as his friendship with Ronnie James Dio (“Heaven & Hell”). One emotional moment was the introduction of Mark Edwards, who played drums on the 1983 Steeler album and joined the Steeler lineup for an on-stage reunion (Edwards has not played drums since being injured in a 1989 motorcycle accident). Edwards also joined the entire cast onstage for the finale “The Right To Rock.”
“Since I was just a kid, all I wanted to do was put on a show,” admits Keel. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and from the moment a couple years ago when this idea first took shape, I knew somehow we were gonna pull it off. It’s a true testament to the talent and character of all the musicians involved and I will be forever grateful for the powerful relationships I have with the guys in KEEL, Ron Keel Band and Steeler.”
The show was promoted by Columbus-area concert promoters Tong Productions LLC and emceed by rocker/radio personality Kelly Bowman; opening act Rat Bastard Syndicate kicked off the festivities, which culminated with a two-hour meet & greet where fans could get photos and autographs with all the players.
Those players were Marc Ferrari, Bryan Jay, Dwain Miller and Geno Arce (KEEL); Dave “DC” Cothern, Jeff “The Rev” Koller, Geno Arce, Dakota Scott Schmitt and Jason Haven (Ron Keel Band); Rik Fox, Mitch Perry and Dwain Miller (Steeler).
Ron Keel Band followed that up the next day with a full headline performance in nearby Plain City Ohio at the “Big George Memorial Poker Run” event. They will continue their summer tour schedule with shows nationwide in support of the new album, and KEEL’s return to the Monsters of Rock Cruise in 2020; but Ron doesn’t rule out future KEELFEST events. “I’m really proud of the quality of the show, and I’d be up for climbing that mountain again in another town, at some point in the near future.”
KEELFEST SONG LIST:
Calm Before The Storm (Ron Keel and pianist Dakota Scott)
RON KEEL BAND:
Road Ready
Fight Like A Band
Rock N Roll Guitar
Long Way Down
Homesick
Steeler Introduction
STEELER:
Serenade
RON KEEL BAND:
Good Songs Bad Times
Hearts Gone Wild
The Best Move
Girls Like Me
Fire In The Rain
KEEL:
United Nations
Somebody’s Waiting
Speed Demon
Push & Pull
Streets Of Rock N Roll
I Said The Wrong Thing To The Right Girl
Because The Night
Looking For A Good Time
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Rock N Roll Outlaw
Tears Of Fire
You’re The Victim (I’m The Crime)
STEELER:
Abduction (Intro Audio)
Cold Day In Hell
Backseat Driver
Down To The Wire
No Way Out
Heaven & Hell
Hot On Your Heels
Let’s Spend The Night Together
ENTIRE CAST:
The Right To Rock
ENCORE – RON KEEL BAND:
The American Medley:
American Pie
Born In The USA
American Girl
American Pie (reprise)
Suite Madame Blue
New album FIGHT LIKE A BAND AVAILABLE NOW from EMP Outlaw/EMP Label Group
UPCOMING EVENTS – Details/Links at RonKeel.com:
Warner SD – June 14 – WARNER STREET FESTIVAL
Fargo ND – June 22 – MIRACLE RIDE – HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF FARGO (RKB)
Lake Madison SD – July 5 (RK solo) & July 6 (RKB Acoustic) – HILLSIDE RESORT
Sioux Falls SD – July 13 – HOT HARLEY NIGHTS (RKB with Night Ranger)
Redwood Falls MN – July 18 – REDWOOD COUNTY FAIR (RKB)
Devil’s Lake ND – Aug 10 – ROCKIN’ THE COVE (RKB)
Sioux Falls SD – Aug 16 – BIKE NIGHT J&L HARLEY-DAVIDSON (RKB)
Lake Madison SD – August 17 – HILLSIDE RESORT (RK Solo)
Lake Madison SD – August 31 – HILLSIDE RESORT (RKB Acoustic)
Lake Madison SD – Sept 1 – HILLSIDE RESORT (RK Solo)
Green Bay WI – Sept 7 – WISCONSIN HARLEY-DAVIDSON (RKB)
Worthington SD – Sept 14 – KING TURKEY DAYS (RK Solo)
Denver CO – Sept 20 – THE VENUE (RKB)
Ogallala, NE – Sept 21 – INDIAN SUMMER RENDEZVOUS (RKB)
