Taylor Hicks all night long

"American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks put on a show at the Roxy Theatre on Wednesday night, performing a long set with energetic charisma, reminiscent of Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who I saw play the same stage nearly seven years ago. With Candance Devine opening, the place was relatively full, despite the bumpy run-up the show had with free tickets being given away on goldstar.com. Hicks was scheduled to start at 10 p.m., and by 10:19 p.m. with no sight of him, fans began chanting "Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!" The curtain rose several minutes later.

He opened with "The Distance," the title track from his latest album, which was released March 10. Dressed in a black shirt, black blazer and jeans, Hicks looked slender and handsome onstage. With his "Soul Patrol" guitar strap, backing band of six and a fellow "Idol" alum, Season 7's Michael Johns, in the crowd supporting him, Hicks was ready to party all night long.

The fans were too. Elba Edelstein came out from Culver City to see her favorite "Idol." She'd previously seen him in an "American Idol" concert, as well as on his 2007 tour, on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas. Edelstein, who had a girlfriend along for the ride, smiled wide and said "I can't wait!" before the show. Another woman I spoke with was seeing him in concert for the ninth time, as well as 10 times on Broadway in Grease -- the 11th night she opted for Chicago. Most female fans were dressed up, some in sequins, had drinks in hand and were eager to see the main event. Men were less visibly thrilled, yet definitely present -- some dragged by wives. A man next to me was performing his duty as photographer with a small digital camera as his mega-fan wife roamed the venue for an ideal view.

Hicks didn't shy away from his signature funky dance moves, but his strong voice held its own against all the instruments involved -- including harmonica and tambourine. He dedicated "Nineteen," the fourth song on "The Distance," to all the troops, calling it a "war hero story." "What's Right Is Right" was the highlight, as on the album, but he left it too near the end of the set, so many missed it. Droves of people filed out soon after 11 p.m. although Hicks kept performing past midnight. The loyal fans who stayed were raucous and enjoyed saying "cheers" to Hicks, who had a Budweiser. It might not have been a sellout, but Taylor Hicks fans got what they came for, a hearty helping of their favorite gray fox -- enough to last until they can catch "Grease."

--Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo: Taylor Hicks at the finale of "American Idol" Season 5. 

Credit: Vince Bucci / Getty

Comments

[Katie]

I was there. Taylor always puts on a good show no matter what. He would put on the same show for any amount of people. He is a talented man, a fine musician, with equally talented musicians to back him up no matter where he plays. I saw him two weeks ago in another venue which holds more than the Roxy and is much nicer, where he could not go on until 10:45, because of his Grease committment, and still the crowds stayed. Most of the people who left the Roxy early were young and families with small kids.
Maybe the reason most of his fans are older, both men and women, is because he sings songs that appeal to that age group. He isn't synthesized, doesn't lip sync, is a terrific band leader, and improviser. Maybe those of us who are older remember the days of good music, and he brings that back. As for the ladies, he is so easy on the eyes! Who can beat that?

It's funny that in NY he had his face on the entire side of a building for Grease, was treated very well, and all across the country he is well received. When he gets to L.A., its always about the gossip. I understand............its where we live, well SOME live. The Roxy is supposed to be famous, but its actually nothing special. Most of the places on the Strip are in old buildings and are just dives. The "real" people in L.A. don't go to the Strip.

Oh yes, and Candace Devine really was! She also is way more talented than most of the female singers on the charts today.

[Dianne]

He seems like a great guy, and I loved him on Idol. Glad to hear the concert was good despite all the ridiculous headlines about the free tickets. I don't know what he's done to deserve such derision from the gossip sites, or the snide remarks on the current AI. You go, Taylor!

[Sherry Hollis]

Thanks SO much for this article! It is SO tiring hearing all the same bull being negative about Taylor.
I just don't understand it either, these naysayers need to give him a chance.

[Jean]

Thank you for the article. You did a great job recapping the concert.

[TESSA]

Wish I could have been there too! Love Love Love the new CD and can't wait to see Tay
singing it live. Thanks for such a great recap of the night. I too do not get the negativity regarding Taylor. I have met him twice and he was so nice and attentive - signed his book, my cd and several pictures - he is such a generous person. I can't wait to see him again!

[mmd4th]

I don't see how anyone can leave a Taylor concert early; that is almost unbelievable. If they were families with young children, they certainly missed a great performer giving it his all.

[Debbie]

Thank you for the nice review. I saw him in San Diego two weeks ago and he was wonderful. He got a great writeup and top billing for the upcoming season of New York's Lincoln Center yet in LA he is always treated with such disrespect. It was a great surprise to see a review that actually recognizes his talent. His vocal range has really grown and he pours himself out for his fans at every preformance! Hopefully he will keep bringing us his music and infectious fun.

[Sheila]

Taylor puts on the best LIVE show out there today, and the way he performs is an art form. All the negativity towards him on Idol was because of a contract dispute concerning his management by 19 Entertainment. He did not sign, and they did not promote him, even though he recorded a CD with them because he won that. That is why his sales were lower than other Idols. However, he is still a fantastic LIVE performer, and to think he was treated that way in Hollywood just shows how shallow they are. He is coming the the SF Bay Area next week, and I can hardly wait to see him on Tuesday night, and I will probably be back again before he leaves SF. Idol would get a huge ratings surge if Taylor comes on the show. Oh by the way, Taylor's new album "The Distance" is fantastic and has hit songs all through it, despite the fact that they only promote Kelly Clarkson, who SUCKS without them!

[BoninBama]

Kudos to Shelia for telling it like it REALLY is and has been since they day Taylor rejected the 19E Management contract! I truly believe he has been black-balled in L.A. by the juggernaut -- and not just in L.A........but I believe the same group made sure he got -- and gets -- no radio airplay.

Yes! Kudos to Shelia!!!

[Kathleen]

Great article. I wish Taylor was coming to the Sacramento area. I loved him on the Idol tour, but haven't seen him since. I think American Idol threw Hicks under the bus in favor of Chris Daughtry. They have never pushed him like they have other Idol winners. Taylor Hicks is the most unique winner of "AI" and it is terrible the way the show has treated him. I love him and I am expecting his CD for my birthday from my kids on Monday!!!

[ann f.]

gladthat the cncert was good. i live in texas and couldn't be there. wish i was. i am a big fan. i will be in costa mesa for grease. wish he was having another show there. oh well.i can't believe the idiotswriting nagative columns about him. i bet they have never met him. they need to get a life!

[CML]

I was at The Roxy too. At 7 pm fans began lining up to get in. There were at least 200 people lined up by the time the doors opened at 8 pm. I asked many many people in that line if they had received their tickets "free". Every single person said "No." I also asked the box office person if tickets had to be given away to fill the place. That person told me that only a small number of VIP tickets were given away free at Taylor's request for a select chosen few that he had invited.

The show was outstanding. Taylor is a consummate performer and ALWAYS gives the audience exciting music that leaves 'em wanting more. His new music from The Distance blended seamlessly with his earlier music. Taylor's voice was stellar. Great music from talented musicians. The whole place rocked. He is absolutely the best live entertainer I have ever seen.

I was glad to see a number of couples with young children in the audience. It was a Wednesday. A school and work weeknight. I'm so glad they chose to see/hear as much of Taylor's concert as they could stay for!

This concert was worth spending my time and money to travel halfway across the country.

[KevinHarris]

The video online:
http://tophotvideo.cn/video.php?vid=Taylor_Hicks
you should watch it!