After a 50 year wait, I finally got to see Fanny perform in concert!
And it was worth the wait!
Rockin’ my Led Zeppelin tour shirt for the flight to LA.
On Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, the rock group Fanny appeared at the famed Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. It was part of their “Revivify Fanny” tour across southern California. The Whisky a Go Go was big part of Fanny’s history as they played there frequently, which was convenient for the band as they lived just up road from the club! Five members of different versions Fanny came together to put on a great show for old and new fans alike. From the original line up was June Millington, Jean Millington, and Alice de Buhr. From Fanny MKII was Patti Quatro and Brie Howard Darling. Original keyboardist Nickey Barclay is retired from the music business and lives overseas these days, so the tour went on without her. To fill out the line up, the band was joined by Jean’s son Lee Mandeloni who played bass and percussion, and Mia Huggs played bass, filling in Jean’s bass-playing shoes perfectly.
Some special guests came along for the ride that night, joining Fanny for a couple of songs. Cherie Currie of The Runaways and Kathy Valentine of The Go Gos, both of which credit their discovery of Fanny’s music as young woman led them to careers in rock ‘n’ roll. Ironically, Alice de Buhr actually worked for The Go Gos’ record company and helped promote them back in the day! Finally, the all-girl rock band The Linda Lindas came out to help out on vocals as well.
The original members are all between 73 and 75 years old now and if you’ve ever played in a rock band you know the rigors of touring can be brutal, but these ladies showed they had what it takes to rock your socks off even after 50 years.
For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Not only did I finally get to see one of my favorite rock groups in concert after 50 years, it was also at the historic Whisky a Go Go. I flew into Los Angeles Tuesday morning and caught up with the band as they arrived at the Andaz Hotel. The Andaz was known as the “Riot Hyatt” back in ’70s mostly due to the band Led Zeppelin famously destroying an entire floor with motorcycles, never-ending parties, and even water slides for naked woman. So it was a visit to rock ‘n’ roll history in West Hollywood and a trip I will never forget. Damn, I’m still tired. 🙂
So, can you guess where Fanny's green room was located? Cool that they used the band's original logo.
The green room where Fanny prepared to go on stage. One of the crew members had a pink paint marker and the management was none to thrilled as it was paint and not marker ink.
The walls of the green rooms at the Whisky a Go Go are covered with signatures, posters, and stickers from the many bands and their crew members.
A view from above the stage where the members of the band wait to make their entrance. Just think of the rock stars that have stood here waiting to fall down the stairs!
All the VIP booths in the back of the club.
One of the VIP tables. They had an excellent Closed-Circuit TV set up so if you sat in the back, you still could see the band.
Photos of the artists who have appeared at the Whisky a Go Go over the decades.
The club covered one wall with Fanny posters and promo material for the evening. It was Fanny's 50th anniversary since they last rocked at the Whisky a Go Go. They let fans take the promo stuff down after the concert.
The all-girl rock group the Linda Lindas joined Fanny onstage during the sound check. They would sing on "When We Need Her" and on "Charity Ball".
June crankin' it up during the sound check as she plays some slide during the intro of Fanny's version of "Ain't That Peculiar". The audio guy wanted her loudest level and that riff certainly takes it to 11.
Patti Quatro and Lee Mandeloni warming up during the sound check. You can see the stairs that lead from the second level to the stage behind Patti.
Proof I was there. I was having a really bad hair day, which is typical when you're going to meet some rock legends. Hey, at least I still have my hair at age 66.
Alice de Buhr dressed up in her kilt signs my album cover for me. And no, she did not go commando under her kilt. You don't play drums in a kilt without underwear.
Patti Quatro signing my album cover for me. She plays a really cool Gibson SG guitar that she's decorated over the years. SG's rock (says the owner of an SG bass clone).
The lovely and talented Brie Howard Darling mugging for the camera while she signed my album cover. I actually knew of Brie from her role in the 1982 sci-fi flick "Android" which was on heavy rotation on HBO back in the early '80s.
I decided to leave my mark at the Whisky a Go Go by signing one of the Jack Daniel's table. Who knows how long it will be there, but at least I have this shot of it.
The club was filling up nicely by performance time. I couldn't hang in this spot during the concert, but the club was packed by the time the first note was played.
Fanny hitting the stage. Besides the original five members, they were joined by Lee Mandeloni (he is Jean's son and is on the left behind Patti) and Mia Huggs (in the pink on the far right). Mia is an excellent bassist and matched Jean's original bass lines note-for-note, which is not an easy task.
Another performance shot.
Another performance shot. June commented that they have two drummers, two bass players, and two guitarists, but only one Jean. And it's so true.
Fanny rockin' away. The original members are between 73 and 75 years old now, but can still crank it to 11.
The band performing one of their newer songs "When We Need Her" with some help from Kathy Valentine of the Go Gos, Cherie Currie of The Runaways, and in the center an all-girl band called the Linda Lindas.
Fanny performing their trademark show-closing tune "Charity Ball" with Kathy Valentine of the Go Gos and Peaboo (of Peaboo and the Cats) a performer from Burlingame, CA.
Fanny taking a final bow before an enthusiastic crowd. A lot of press photographers were there and you can see them squished up against the stage.
Fanny posing for the press after the concert. L-R: Alice de Buhr (drums), June Millington (guitar), Brie Howard Darling (drums), Patti Quatro (guitar), and Jean Millington (vocals) is seated in her wheelchair.
Yours truly with drummer Alice de Buhr. Alice and I have been friends for over 20 years now. I brought an original album cover to have the band members autograph for me.
And here’s a sampling of what the concert sounded like. I shot this with my phone right next to the sound board on the second level, so there’s some audience chatter, but it still is a good representation of the group’s playing. Also, I love this song!
You saw Katy Valentine of the Go Go’s and Cherie Currie of the Runaways I collect those records but you saw the stars lucky you. Isn’t whisky a go go famous for discovering hard rock, heavy metal bands like LA guns love the song sex action. Then Tommy Lee of Montly Crew Waska a character in the MTV cartoon good vibes has a voodoo doll of his role model slash tormentor Durk the Turk Kilpatrick. But when he sticks pins in it Tommy Lee suffers mohahahaha because Durk is cooler he can surf. Bet you missed out on hedonistic bowling alleys and pool parties so you missed the bands blink 182 and Lit. Love the zip lock bag video the parody of Twisted sister beats the actual video. Then the hedonic pool party with blink 182, synchronized swimmers in navy blue bikinis, whip cream action and romance. Be thankful I didn’t embarrass you by dressing as Joise and the Pussy cats love those cut little body suits wore one on Halloween oh the fun.
You saw Katy Valentine of the Go Go’s and Cherie Currie of the Runaways I collect those records but you saw the stars lucky you. Isn’t whisky a go go famous for discovering hard rock, heavy metal bands like LA guns love the song sex action. Then Tommy Lee of Montly Crew Waska a character in the MTV cartoon good vibes has a voodoo doll of his role model slash tormentor Durk the Turk Kilpatrick. But when he sticks pins in it Tommy Lee suffers mohahahaha because Durk is cooler he can surf. Bet you missed out on hedonistic bowling alleys and pool parties so you missed the bands blink 182 and Lit. Love the zip lock bag video the parody of Twisted sister beats the actual video. Then the hedonic pool party with blink 182, synchronized swimmers in navy blue bikinis, whip cream action and romance. Be thankful I didn’t embarrass you by dressing as Joise and the Pussy cats love those cut little body suits wore one on Halloween oh the fun.