Tesla blasted onto the music scene in 1986 with their debut album Mechanical Resonance. Although they frequently got thrown into the “hair band” category, they were very different from the others that seemed to dominate the airwaves and MTV. Their look and sound were both quite different, so at times the industry seemed a bit perplexed with where to put them. The hair was there (although not all teased up with tons of Aquanet), but the glammy look and fluffy lyrics were not. These guys had a bluesy element to their sound and their lyrics definitely had quite a bit of substance to them. Fast forward to February 22, 2020 and the guys were about to roll into Greensboro, North Carolina for a rescheduled date to rock out with fans at The Piedmont Hall. It was Saturday night, the venue was full of fans that were ready to rock and the clock was counting down to showtime. Openers Bad Marriage and Red Reign both delivered solid sets that really got the crowd hyped up.

Tesla hit the stage blazing with “Tied to the Tracks” from their latest studio album Shock and really set the tone for what the night was going to be like. They hit the way back machine and went straight into “Modern Day Cowboy” from their debut album. Man, did these guys sound amazing! That signature grit in Jeff Keith’s voice was there as he pranced around the stage much like the same guy I saw running around like a madman on a much bigger stage back in 1988 opening up for Def Leppard. While many singers from that era have lost much of what we fell in love with about them, Keith has seasoned incredibly well.

The next 90 plus minutes seemed to go by way too quickly. The guys took us on a musical trip that covered their entire career. “Heavens Trail (No Way Out),” “Little Suzi,” “Into the Now” and many other favorites were delivered one after another. So many songs, so many great memories! At one point, the guys came out to the front of the stage and got a little more intimate to deliver “We Can Work It Out” and “Signs” from Five Man Acoustical Jam. A Tesla show just wouldn’t be complete without their huge power ballad “Love Song.” A personal highlight of mine was “What You Give” which was pretty damn amazing on many levels. Musically, it was spot on but the years have given this one so much more of an emotional punch than in the past. 

What a damn solid show! The rhythm section of Troy Luccketta (drums) and Brian Wheat (bass) are so underrated. They lay down the foundation that these songs are built on and they do it so effortlessly. They’re not flashy or showy; they’re just damn good at what they do. I guess Dave Rude, after well over ten years, is still the “new guy.” The guy has definitely put his guitar mark on these songs and has proven to be such a great fit. Speaking of guitar work, Frank Hannon continues to be such a treat to witness live. He’s definitely a more substance over style type of player and he makes it look so easy and you and I know that is not the case. 

A huge thanks to the guys in Tesla for giving us all a two hour escape from our troubles and worries. None of us there were worried about our boss or our job or our bills, but instead were treated to a music timeout for the soul. What an awesome night of live music from the bluesy California rockers who had just didn’t fit into the hair band scene back then, but kept their focus and carved their own path. So many of those bands have fallen to the wayside, but these guys continue to forge ahead by touring and releasing new albums. It’s been an amazing 30+ year journey with these guys and they show no signs of letting up.

Review and Photographs by I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price