Unless you’re walking around Madam Tussauds there’s very little chance of seeing see four legendary Rock Gods together at the same place at the same time, let alone performing real honest to goodness rock and roll, that is until you sprinkle together a couple of members from Van Halen, add a legendary guitarist and sprinkle with a touch of Red Hot Chili Peppers, mix it together together and you come up with Chickenfoot.

Sammy Hagar, singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee for his tenure with Van Halen, fellow Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony (a founding member and fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), guitar god Joe Satriani (one of the world's most influential guitarists) and drummer Chad Smith who gained his notoriety as a rock legend via his former incarnation as a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers make up the newly formed super band. These rock legends are rumoured to have got so carried away during an ad-hoc jam session that they decided to rustle up a group. This created quite a buzz when word got out that they would be performing in the UK under the name Chickenfoot. Fans were eager to snap up those prized tickets, but a question still remained; could Chickenfoot’s talented individuals gel together as a group and can they live up to the hype?

The four floors were packed to capacity with excited fans more than ready for the off at this eagerly anticipated gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire which was completely sold out for their twelfth gig of the tour. Chickenfoot came on stage to the sound of deafening roars from the waiting crowd. Chad Smith took his position at the drums, followed quickly by Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar. There was no messing from these veteran rockers and the band slipped effortlessly into album favourite Avenida Revolution, and so it began – rock’n’roll brought to London by a supergroup of musicians who were able to fill the iconic venue with ease from the moment they struck the first chord.

“Shepherd’s Bush! I know what shepherd means but there’s a lot of different meanings for bush!” hailed Sammy Hagar. 

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Left Foot

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Right Foot

Clearly comfortable on stage after years of honing their skills, this was serious rock’n’roll; energetic, frenetic, hugely entertaining and quite an example of how, when something gels it really gels, these legendary performers were able to bring a new dimension to a craft that they clearly understand, not only from a musical perspective but in terms of an overarching ability to translate a collective experience into a shared musical moment. What really shone throughout the whole performance was the sheer exuberance and joy of a band who know their trade inside out and who can deliver whilst making it appear effortless, the mark of real musical know how.

Picking up a bottle of Corona onstage, Sammy Hagar asked “Why do they give us Mexican beer in the country with the best beer in the world?” a connection that aroused a huge cheer from the audience. Chickenfoot are at ease with themselves, their fans and their music, they are loving it and so are the fans, both old and new.

‘Chickenfoot’ the album is well produced, has a raw edge to it and more remarkably was put together in a mere 43 days.

It is testament to the group members and their experience that their live performance actually delivers on the album’s promise, creating an atmospheric and spookily spine tingling performance that you only get when you know you’re in the presence of true musical genius. The band feed off the raw energy of the crowd adding another dimension to the night’s entertainment. The creative mix of guitar talent is teamed with the kind of unique and powerful drumming that gives resonance to the commanding and complimentary voices of Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, voices that have blended melodiously together since their Van Halen days.

As Chad stood on his drum stool to rapturous applause from the crowd he lost his footing, falling sideways into his kit, roadies rushed to re-assemble his drums and as Chad noticed his bloodied arm he reacted in true rock and roll fashion: “I’m bleeding for you London!”  came the roar from this unflappable drummer.

Satriani was, as only Satriani can be, a truly outstanding guitarist who, from his first riff, leaves you in no doubt as to why this particular man is so revered. Fans were treated to a great performance from an artist with nothing to prove but whose depth, range and competence with the tools of his trade leave you wondering where he can take it next. The use of the Ibanez double-neck guitar further showcases his genius as this particular virtuoso operates with some ease and style whilst weaving his particular brand of musical magic.

Michael Anthony’s awesome performing style underlined why the man is such a huge part of this line-up, this awesome and sometimes underrated bassist was a joy to watch as he played, at times using his custom made Jack Daniels bottle-shaped bass.

Having completed a mind blowing set to a rapturous crowd the band returned to play an impressive encore of the Montrose classic ‘Bad Motor Scooter’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Highway Star’. As the encore ended, and in homage to true rock’n’roll, Chad Smith kicked apart his kit before throwing a floor tom that unexpectedly struck Sammy Hagar as he waved to the crowd. Sammy was evidently shocked but unscathed and the band regrouped to joke and laugh before bowing to the lively audience and leaving the stage.

It was over all too soon; the fans had rocked out in the sweltering heat all night, singing along to every song, on an album that had only been out for two weeks! If you don’t already have it this album is a must for any self respecting rock fan.

The veteran musicians gave out a 2 hour performance that was as expectedly solid as it was exciting, intuitive and imaginative, leaving you in no doubt that you were in the presence of rock royalty. Adding to the ambience and magic of this night’s performance was the fact that it was clear that these guys were genuinely happy to be there, doing what they do best and creating something new, creative and promising – who knows where they’ll go next?

Chickenfoot promised to return soon, let’s hope they mean it because this was a truly exceptional gig and we want more - could they live up to the hype? no, not really - they surpassed it!