ROCK NEVER STOPS TOUR 2005 Friday, July 8, 2005 - Tampa, Florida     An ominous storm cloud was rolling over the St. Pete Times Forum late Friday afternoon just as another one starting forming INSIDE that very same structure.     Out in the Gulf Of Mexico, off the shores of Florida, Hurricane Dennis was gathering strength and heading north wreaking havoc and causing stress to the residents of the Sunshine State. But, even a monster storm couldn't dampen the spirits of the rock n' roll faithful that gathered to forget the brewing bad weather in the outside world and escape into a much safer world � circa 1988!     In the mid to late 1980's, "hair bands" ruled the radio and MTV. Most played hard rock and wore huge hairdos. Many added a glam-rock element, with flashy clothing and slathering their faces with vibrant make-up (just as the pioneers of it all, KISS, was shelving theirs and hanging up the platform boots). Some of the bands were great, some were terrible, and the majority huddled around the general mediocrity of, say, Warrant (of "Cherry Pie" infamy). That's one reason the genre is somewhat unfairly ridiculed, especially because the grunge movement that killed hair bands often was plenty silly and pretentious itself.     In many ways this night would show both the good and the bad that the genre had to offer (and still does) in the first place.     Kicking off the show was Firehouse, who quickly roared through their set that included Top 10 power ballads (another late 80's term!), "Love Of A Lifetime" and "When I Look Into Your Eyes" plus the heavier (but inanely dopey) "Don't Treat Me Bad." To the bands credit, however, they play much heavier live than in the recording studio.     Next came Quiet Riot, led by the boisterous and fairly obnoxious vocalist, Kevin Dubrow, who was clad in cheesy leopard skin shirt, leather pants, and toting his signature black and white striped microphone stand with him wherever he went. Only Dubrow and drummer Frankie Danali remain of the original band that roared to fame in 1983 with the mega-successful debut album, "Metal Health," that made them the biggest band in the world for about 6 months.     Dubrow and company played it loud and nasty, ripping through their best known songs, "Cum On Feel The Noize," (the Slade cover) "Metal Health," "Slick Black Cadillac" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (another Slade cover!). Traditional heavy metal but nothing special. Sadly, the bonfire they started 20 years ago is now barely a flicker.     Third up was the Steven Pearcy and Robbin Crosby-less Ratt (the former departing in 1999 and the latter passing away in 2002). Once a huge band that practically carried the metal scene on its back, they are now reduced to being basically a Ratt tribute act. Led by a singer who goes by the name of (I kid you not) Jizzy Pearl, this version of the band just comes off as a mere shadow of its once former glory. Be that as it may, there were still plenty of recognizable numbers including "Way Cool Junior," "I Want A Woman," "Lay It Down," "Back For More" and their huge signature hit, "Round And Round." It had punch for sure, but the attitude and delivery of vocalist Pearcy was sorely missing.     In the wake of all this the real storm was about to strike. And when it did it came fast and furious and with the punch of a catagory 5 hurricane! With soulful precision (and plenty of volume) Pennsylvania's own Cinderella kicked off the finale of the evenings events with a slow-burn kicker, "Night Songs" (the title track to their 1986 debut release).     Vocalist/guitarist Tom Keifer took center stage alongside other original members Eric Brittingham (bass), Jeff Labar (guitar) and drummer Fred Coury...making Cinderella the only band of the four to have its entire original line-up intact.     Cinderella often got unfairly lumped together with all the other hair metal bands of the day. However, as they ripped through a powerful set that included the dynamic "Push Push," "Gypsy Road," "Fire And Ice," "Coming Home," "Still Climbing," "The Last Mile" and "Nothin' For Nothin'" - it became obvious that they had more in common with Aerosmith than ANY glam-rock outfit of the hair band era. These were four MUSICIANS who could hold their own against ANY band on the planet. (Not to mention they added some great visuals like a huge logo (in the stars & stripes theme) and the always fun pyrotechnics!)     Their songs are very much blues-based rock n' roll, which was evident as they performed stellar renditions of "Bad Seamstress Blues/Falling Apart At The Seams," (from 1988's phenomenal 'Long Cold Winter' album), "Heartbreak Station," "Shelter Me" (in which Keifer grabbed a saxophone and tore through a mean-ass solo) and the soulful crowd favorite "Nobody's Fool." It was lean, mean, in your face, PURE rock n' roll.     As the show winded down, Keifer sat down at the piano and began the first notes of their huge 1988 ballad, "Don't Know What You Got (Til It's Gone)." This brought out the lighters in full effect as the singer passionately belted out the song as if it was for the first time. It was incredible! Finally, as a final encore they blasted down the walls and brought the show to a close with a scorching version of "Shake Me." As the crowd rose for one final approval, Cinderella bid us all a good (and safe) night.     WHEW! Impressed? HELL YES! I've seen over 100 concerts in my life and I can honestly say that Cinderella performed as well as just about anybody I ever laid eyes (or ears) on. They are a great band that hopefully history will recognize for much more than just hair or sequins or eyeliner.     It's been 19 years and Cinderella's rock n' roll carriage has yet to turn into a pumpkin!