Who was to know back in 1991 when Mike Tramp stood on stage at The Mayfair in Newcastle on the final night of their European Tour, that this would be White Lion’s last ever appearance in Europe. Not only that, but within six more shows, the band would be finished.
Guitar wiz Vito Bratta seeming disappeared into thin air but lead singer Tramp, brushed himself down and reinvented himself for the 90s with the hard hitting, criminally underrated Freak of Nature before heading down a more reflective singer songwriter route, excelling in whichever direction he chose to take.
Despite the musical twists and turns he’s taken over the 30 years or since they folded, it is still White Lion to which most people associate Mike Tramp and so it’s no surprise when Tramp periodically returns to the glory days of the late 80s/early 90s.
Joined by former Freak of Nature touring guitarist Marcus Nand, Tramp delivered a two hour show rammed with White Lion classics and deep cuts as well as some great between song banter about “the old days” including touring with AC/DC and words of advice from Brian Johnson and the horror of realising Appetite For Destruction was to be released on the same day as Pride.
It was the music however, that people came for and Tramp did not disappoint kicking off with a triumvirate of “Lonely Nights”, “Hungry” and “Tell Me” from their classic Pride release newly arranged to suit the set up with two electric guitars.
While most bands of that era sang about girls, cars and parties, White Lion tackled more serious topics such as child abuse, apartheid and environmental issues and Tramp told the stories behind their big ballad “When Children Cry”, “Little Fighter” and “Cry For Freedom”.
“Wait” was a genuine highlight and when Nand absolutely nailed Vito Bratta’s solo Trillians gasped in admiration. A swift cover of Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” preceded a beautiful and rather apt set closer “Farewell To You” as Tramp pledged a swift return with a full band next time.
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