Winger
Polaris Amphitheater, Columbus, OH
June 26, 2002

Anyone who has every really listened to a Winger album, especially their third, less commercial release, Pull (Atlantic), knows that they never need flamboyant clothing or tons of hair spray to make an impact, their talent and chemistry as a band says it all.  That fact was very clear as vocalist Kip Winger quietly stepped on stage and opened with the fluid acoustic introduction to "Blind Revolution Mad" from the bands last full studio release. 

The reunited Winger includes original members Reb Beach (also of Alice Cooper and Dokken fame) on guitar, Rod Morgenstien (Dixie Dregs, Platypus, The Jelly Jam) on drums, and Paul Taylor (Steve Perry, Alice Cooper) on keyboards and guitar, along with Jon Roth, who had first joined the band on the Pull tour, on guitar and background vocals.

Without fireworks or other distractions, Winger pulled out “Madalaine,” as well as "Headed for a Heartbreak" and the appropriate closer, “Seventeen,” that brought most of the crowd to their feet.

True highlights from the show included the breath taking “Rainbow in the Rose” and a lengthened version of their soft-toned, keyboard enhanced ballad “Miles Away,” as well as drum and guitar solos and great jam sessions featuring the fretboard talents of guitarists Reb Beach, Paul Taylor, and Jon Roth, along with bassist Kip Winger, especially during "Your are the Saint, I am the Sinner." 

 
Drummer Rod Morgenstein tells us that the band hasn’t ruled out the possibility of working together in the future. He says, they all have a great working relationship and friendship and they're keeping things open-ended.  Yet, they have only committed to the first leg of the Poison tour, and with other projects in the wings, it is difficult to foretell the future. 

“We’re just leaving it open-ended.  We were asked to do this last year, and then decided not to, and then we were asked again, and said ‘You know what, we’re all really good friends, even just to be together traveling around the country having a bunch of laughs'. 

But, another important part of us doing this.  I mean, I don’t have to tell you all the trashing and Winger bashing that this particular band has been through since the early nineties.  Through Beavis & Butthead choosing Winger more so than any other band, with Stuart being the Winger fan and Stuart’s parents wearing Winger shirts.  And then Lars Ulrich sticking darts in Kip’s head, it went on and on and on.  So, for whatever reason, the perception of Winger was that it was the least talented, worst of the worst.” 

With the truth being so contrary to that perception, Morgenstein says that it’s such an amazing feeling to see the respect that all the guys in the other bands and the other crews have for the members of Winger.  He says of course, they are doing the majority of the songs that people know, but they also made it a point to do some of the songs that they wanted to do, including “Rainbow in the Rose.”

“It’s been a very healing experience, if nothing else comes of this, at least there are a couple hundred thousand people that heard the band, and at least they can walk away scratching their heads if they thought Winger was anything but a pretty good band.”

Morgenstein adds that he’s no longer surprised now when he runs into people that are into his other band, the Dixie Dregs.  “All over this tour I have guys telling me.  CC DeVille for example, alright.  The first time I met CC, I went up to introduce myself, and he said ‘I know who you are, Dixie Dregs.  Let me tell you something, I used to think I was a musician until I saw you guys'.

He goes through the whole things and says 'that’s when I lowered my guitar and started spinning around', and said ‘You know what, if I want to make it, I’ve got to figure out another way’ and so he went for entertainment.”

 Also be sure to check out the full text from our interview with Morgenstein and a quick take on the Winger's Pittsburgh performance.  Be sure to note that Winger will only be on the first leg of this summer's Hollyweird tour, so be sure to catch them this month on the road.  For more information on Rod Morgenstein visit www.rodmorgenstein.com. 

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