Lawn Seats, Legends, and Memories
- Mickey Miller
- Oct 3, 2025
- 6 min read
This night was meant to be a grand adventure — the final concert of the season featuring Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, and Corrosion of Conformity. On paper, it had everything a rock lover could dream of: legendary bands, my favorite venue, and that unmistakable end-of-summer excitement. I’ve seen these icons — Alice Cooper, Rob Halford, and COC many times before, but as they’re getting older, this night felt especially important to me. I wanted to make sure I experienced them live once more while I still could.
My day started early, working from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., but exhaustion didn’t matter. I was fueled by the kind of anticipation only live music can give. Before we even hit the road, we ran up to my work to drop something off for my son during his break. While we were there, some hurtful comments were made toward me. They left me somber and weighed on my mood for a while, but that story is for another time.
On top of that, I couldn’t shake my worry for my beagle, Vic. He’s been having issues with one of his eyes, almost seeming congested, and part of my mind kept drifting back home, hoping he was okay. Even with those concerns, I tried to push them aside and focus on the night ahead.
The drive down was mostly smooth. I made my traditional stop at Love’s Truck Stop to grab my annual Hardee’s — a small but cherished ritual for these downstate trips. The only hiccup was a closure on I-75, which forced a detour that stretched the drive a bit longer. But the moment I saw the Pine Knob sign, everything that had weighed on me melted away. I was exactly where my heart belonged — at a concert.
I did a little tailgating, just for old memory’s sake, chatting with a couple of Damien’s friends from up here who were also attending. The smell of grilling, the laughter of fellow fans, and the hum of anticipation all around created a familiar pre-show magic that always makes these trips special. I couldn’t afford a shirt this time because bills had eaten up my bank account, but that didn’t matter. I made my way to my favorite spot on the lawn, surrounded by fans sprawled on blankets, some standing, some in little lawn chairs, all united by the music about to unfold. The energy was electric, even before a single note was played.
I thought I remembered my old friend from my teen years mentioning he was going to the show, so I sent him a quick text — and sure enough, he was there. We hugged when we met up, and honestly, getting a hug from an old friend like that makes you feel like you’re home. Detroit may always be my true home, and Northern Michigan may be where I live, but that night felt like a home for my soul — a place where music, friendship, and passion collide.
We quickly caught up, talking about life, aging, and the health issues that creep up on us when we’re not looking. There was a bittersweetness in reminiscing — missing the days when everything felt limitless, when the world was ours to skate through without a care. But there was also joy. Seeing someone from my past, someone who helped shape who I am today, brought unexpected happiness that set the tone for the night ahead.
We even took a quick selfie together, and I instantly posted it on Facebook — a little snapshot to remember the night, a moment frozen in time with someone who has meant so much over the years.
As the crowd filled in, I did a little people-watching. Families, friends, and groups of fans sprawled across the lawn, laughing, sharing stories, and dancing in anticipation. I loved seeing the younger generation of fans — some with long hair, wearing jean vests and jackets adorned with band patches — carrying the torch for rock and metal. It was awesome to witness this new round of fans experiencing the music with the same passion as the older generations. It’s always nice when the people standing near you strike up conversations about music, venues, and shows they’ve been to — those small exchanges make the night feel even richer. But, of course, there are always those obnoxious drunks who insist on talking loudly, sometimes ruining the video clip you hope to capture for a memory. Still, moments like these — connecting with new people, sharing a laugh or a story — make the minor annoyances fade into the background.
Corrosion of Conformity opened the night with their crushing mix of metal and sludge. They hit the stage hard with “Bottom Feeder,” “King of the Rotten,” and “Seven Days,” each song driving the crowd deeper into the set. “Vote With a Bullet,” “Wiseblood,” and “Albatross” showcased their talent for melding heaviness with groove, and they closed their set with “Clean My Wounds,” leaving the audience amped for what was next.
Then came Judas Priest on this co-headlining tour with Alice Cooper, but Alice closed the night because Detroit is where he is from, so it seemed fitting. Priest came out to Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” the crowd belting out the lyrics loud and proud as the band hit the stage. From there, they launched into a relentless barrage of metal: “All Guns Blazing,” “Hell Patrol,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Freewheel Burning,” “Breaking the Law,” “A Touch of Evil,” “Night Crawler,” “Solar Angels,” “Gates of Hell,” “The Hellion,” and “Electric Eye.” During “Giants in the Sky,” the big screens paid tribute to the great metal and rock musicians we’ve lost, ending with a collage of legends and finally two pictures of Ozzy.
They closed the main set with “Painkiller,” an absolute high-octane performance that left the crowd roaring. Then came the unforgettable moment: Rob Halford rode his Harley onto the stage, revving everyone into a frenzy before launching directly into the encore of “Hell Bent for Leather” and finishing with “Living After Midnight.” It was a spectacular finale, leaving the audience completely exhilarated and primed for Alice to close the night.
Before Alice came on, I made my way back to my old friend and gave him a gift: a black silver leaf jasper crystal bracelet I made, with a treble clef charm. It seemed fitting for so many reasons: a symbol of the music that brought us together, the decades of friendship we shared, and the unspoken understanding that certain moments — and certain people — are timeless.
Alice was still Alice, commanding every inch of the stage with his signature theatrics. Even at 77, he came out ready to rock and shock. Alice may have shown a little age and been a bit slower at times, but he still brought it — every bit the showman fans have loved for decades. He opened with “Alice’s Attic,” flowing into “Hello, Hooray” (Judy Collins cover) as the intro, then moved into “Who Do You Think We Are,” a shortened version containing lyrics from “I’m Alice” and “Welcome to the Show.”
From there, he tore through “Spark in the Dark,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “House of Fire,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Muscle of Love,” and “Feed My Frankenstein.” The energy continued with “Dirty Diamonds,” “Caught in a Dream,” “Hey Stoopid,” “Dangerous Tonight,” and “Poison,” each song met with roaring sing-alongs. Nita Strauss’s guitar solo sent the crowd cheering, a high point in the set.
During “Brutal Planet,” every member of the band performed their own small solos: guitarist Ryan Roxie, bassist Chuck Garric, drummer Glen Sobel, and guitarist Tommy Henriksen, showcasing their individual talents within the high-energy track. The set continued with “Ballad of Dwight Fry” and “Cold Ethyl.”
During “Only Women Bleed,” his wife appeared on stage, which led seamlessly into Alice’s dramatic beheading act. They moved into “Second Coming,” a partial instrumental, and “Going Home,” partial with band vocals only, which included a reprise of “Hello, Hooray.”
The night culminated with “School’s Out,” which included a snippet from Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2.” During this final song, Alice introduced the band members, his wife, and himself, and gave a shout-out: “Go Lions, Go Tigers, and Go Wolverines!” It was the perfect finale, leaving the crowd exhilarated and the night unforgettable.
The night reminded me why I do this, why I chase these shows and experiences. Music isn’t just sound — it’s memory, connection, passion, and healing. It’s standing on a lawn, shoulder to shoulder with strangers who are suddenly friends; it’s sharing a laugh with someone you haven’t seen in decades; it’s feeling every note vibrate through your soul and realizing, for those few hours, that you are exactly where you belong. That’s the magic of a night like this — a night with Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, and Corrosion of Conformity, but more importantly, a night with music, memories, and the people who help make it all unforgettable. Below are memories I captured (small video clips of the night)
Until the next big concert.
Peace, Love and Loud Music,
Mickey
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