Features
Jeff Beck Books Headlining Shows
Greg Allen / GregAllenPhotos.com – Jeff Beck
Crossroads Guitar Festival, Madison Square Garden Arena, New York City
Having already announced his co-billed tour with Paul Rodgers that includes Heart’s Ann Wilson on the ticket, Jeff Beck adds seven shows – some with Wilson, some strictly solo.
Beck’s new dates are scattered throughout the Rodgers outing that begins in mid-July and runs through late August. Here’s a quick rundown of the new gigs:
July 21 – Phoenix, Ariz., Celebrity Theatre (solo)
July 26 – Austin, Texas, Austin City Limits Live At The Moody Theater (solo)
Aug. 5 – York, Pa., Appell Center For The Performing Arts (solo)
Aug. 7 – Lewiston, N.Y., Artpark Amphitheater (with Ann Wilson)
Aug. 11 – Pittsburgh, Pa., Heinz Hall For The Performing Arts (with Ann Wilson)
Aug. 15 – Port Chester, N.Y., The Capitol Theatre (solo)
Aug. 20 – Vienna, Va., Filene Center At Wolf Trap (with Ann Wilson)
Beck’s touring band includes longtime collaborators like drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and vocalist Jimmy Hall plus veteran touring partner Rhonda Smith. New to Beck’s band is cellist Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, who was a founding member of the Quartet.
Beck returns to the road with two extra-special items that are must-haves for fans. Arriving May 18 on DVD and blu-ray is “Still On The Run: The Jeff Beck Story.” The documentary film includes interviews with Beck as well as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, David Gilmour, Ronnie Wood, Slash, Jan Hammer, Joe Perry,
Coming out May 25 are standalone CD and 180-gramvinyl versions of Beck’s Live At The Hollywood Bowl performance that was released on multiple video and audio formats last year.
Apparently, Beck loves co-headlining tours. The guitar slinger partnered with Buddy Guy in 2016) and ZZ Top in 2015. However, solo gigs have brought mixed boxoffice returns. Data submitted to Pollstar includes a May 12, 2015, solo performance at Louisville’s Whitney Hall that sold just over half the house and grossed $43,000. Beck did better a few nights later in Chicago where he played the Chicago Theatre, sold 2,997 tickets and grossed $216,345.
Some shows are already on sale. Tickets for Aug. 5 in York, Pa., go on sale May 14 and the Aug. 11 show in Pittsburgh goes on sale May 4. Keep checking Pollstar’s Jeff Beck page for further developments.