A Healthy Dose of Collective Soul

My husband and I spent Friday, June 22nd with Collective Soul. Along with hundreds of fans, we traveled to The Brick in Minneapolis, Minnesota for an intimate evening with one of my generation’s greatest rock bands. We had purchased VIP packages, which allowed us to participate in a meet and greet with Ed Roland, Dean Roland, Joel Kosche and Will Turpin, get a photo taken with the band and receive autographed posters. The band also signed the VIP lanyards we were given; I’m keeping mine and we gave one to our flabbergasted son, the drummer. Since I had interviewed Will Turpin for Mad Mike’s America, I received a little something extra-a photo press pass.

The show kicked off a little after 8PM. I, along with a photographer from the venue, stood in front of the stage as Ed, Dean, Joel and Will walked out, greeted the exuberant crowed and thanked us for coming. Ed told us “We’re going to perform all the songs from Dosage for the first set,” and launched into a gorgeous performance of “Tremble for my Beloved.” They followed with “Heavy,” and behind me, I could hear the entire audience, singing along with Ed and Will, word for word. Photographs were only allowed for the first two songs, and I clambered back to my spot in the front row, transforming from journalist to fan.

Collective Soul is touring this summer to sold-out crowds, performing songs that fans love, reminding us why they are a platinum selling band with the most loyal fan base in the industry. They aren’t promoting a CD, they are simply sharing gorgeous songs like “No More No Less,” “Slow,” “Run” and “Crown” with audiences and garnering a whole new generation of fans. “Crown” is a deeply personal song for Ed and Dead Roland-Ed wrote it in memory of their father.

After a quick break, Collective Soul returned to the stage, and it was at the beginning of the second set that Ed spoke to the crowd. He explained that “they won’t let me talk during the first set, not a fucking word.” “Two? Nope.” One? Nope.” We laughed, because one of things that sets Collective Soul apart is their communication with fans during shows. He then introduced the band, starting with Joel Kosche, the lead guitarist. Ed poked fun at Joel, calling him “Mr. Sniffles,” due to Joel having a summer cold. As the rest of the band grinned, Ed asked Joel how someone could get a cold in June, then looked back at the audience, asking “It is still June, right?”

Ed turned to introduce his brother, Dean, also on guitar, and the entire venue erupted, calling “DEAN! DEAN!” like sports fans cheering on a favorite player. That continued throughout the concert, much to the amusement of the subject. Ed then introduced Will Turpin, bass player, who was also singled out, for his wardrobe; Will was wearing a tie, and looked quite spiffy. Ed told us they had a “special guest,” someone they would introduce later in the show. And the second set began with “Welcome All Again,” an edgy, hard rock song featuring Ed Roland’s stunning vocals, tweaked with sound effects.

Ed introduced us to the “special guest;” incredibly talented guest drummer, Johnny Rabb, and gave Johnny the okay for one of the best drum solos I have ever seen or heard. Johnny Rabb is famous in his own right, earning a reputation as an innovator and inventor, developing a series of cymbals with the MEINL cymbal company. Rabb is also known worldwide as the World’s Fastest Drummer, a title he proved during his solo. His amazing talent lent something magical to the concert Friday, and as my husband noted later, he never seems to stop smiling. In fact, all of Collective Soul exudes happiness onstage. This is a band that loves what they do.

Set two ended, with Collective Soul waving as they walked offstage, and it appeared the show was over. But for those of us familiar with Collective Soul,we knew there were at least two more songs that needed to be played, “December” and “Shine.” We were not disappointed. To roaring applause, Ed, Dean, Joel, Will and Johnny reappeared. Ed shared a little of his own history with us-he told us he was 10 years older than the other guys on stage, and that he had at one time given guitar lessons. He spoke of a young kid named Joel who came to him and wanted to “be the next Esteban.” Ed told Joel he had picked the wrong teacher, but he could teach young Joel 4 chords that, if he mastered, would make him a rock star. Ed turned to Joel and said “Play those 4 chords, Joel,” and the familiar starting chords for “December” danced out into the crowd.

“Shine” closed the show. Every single member of that audience was singing at the top of our lungs, and when Ed stopped and stood, smiling as we took up the refrain, we sang even louder. It was our way of thanking Collective Soul, thanking Ed, Dean, Joel and Will for decades of great music, for appreciating us as much, if not more, than we did them, for bringing Johnny along for the ride and for just being Collective Soul.

Thank you to The Brick on-site security, Collective Soul’s tour management, Jimmy Brunetti and especially Ed Roland, Dean Roland, Joel Kosche, Will Turpin and Johnny Rabb for an evening we will never forget. Please visit www.collectivesoul.com for venue information and to purchase tickets. Don’t miss this chance to see Collective Soul up close and personal. Dean and Will throw guitar picks into the audience, and at The Brick, Ed tossed an actual tambourine out to some lucky fan. Great music, humor, and free musical instruments. Who else but Collective Soul?

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