BY THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Williamsville, NY – Vocalist/songwriter Mike Tramp, formerly of the multi-platinum-selling 80s hard rock band White Lion, performed an intimate, stripped-down 13-song show to an appreciative crowd last night at Samuel’s Grande Manor. Even though the venue is used primarily for wedding receptions and proms, it turned out to be a pretty cool setting to see a rock show. Mike Tramp, who was accompanied by guitar superstar Marcus Nand, played along to a backing track that provided minimal drums and bass to enhance the sound.
Tramp, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, turned 62 on January 14th. He performs and looks like a much younger man. This was the second last show of his brief “Songs of White Lion” USA tour, which is in support of his April 14, 2023 release by the same title. This record consists of White Lion songs reimagined and re-recorded in a style more suitable for a 62-year-old singer.
Tramp has found the perfect formula of performing and re-recording White Lion songs as a solo artist. It’s what his fans really want from him at this point in his career. Since the breakup of White Lion in September 1991, Tramp has tried several times to reform the band, but original guitarist Vito Bratta owns the rights to the White Lion catalog and has not been interested in performing since his disappearance form the public eye in 1992. Due to this, Tramp has had to focus on other endeavors, including the band Freak of Nature which was active from 1992-1998, and then a singer/songwriter style solo career.
On this evening, Tramp was very engaging with the audience. In addition to performing all the popular White Lion songs, he also told many very interesting stories about the roller coaster ride of being in one of the most popular bands of the 1980’s. Tramp explained that he wanted to write lyrics that would make people think not just about sex and partying, which was what most of the popular bands of the era such as Motley Crue, Poison and Bon Jovi were doing at the time.
One of the many highlights of the evening included Tramp and Nand performing the first major White Lion single “Wait” (see performance below). Nand’s ability to cover Vito Bratta’s challenging guitar work was very impressive. Ironically, “Wait” was release as single on June 1, 1987, so this performance was 36 years to the date of its release.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable concert experience in a very relaxed atmosphere. Mike Tramp is an amazing performer, and still has a great voice and stage presence. Tramp will be returning to North America in September and will be touring with a full band. Go see him if you get the chance, you certainly won’t regret it.
Opening the show was Buffalo award winning musician Jim Crean with his band Hair Nation. They played a 5-star performance of stripped-down acoustic cover versions of some of the most popular hard rock songs of the 80’s. It was also announced that Crean will be returning to the area with a new band called Sabbath Knights, which features former Black Sabbath and DIO drummer Vinny Appice. They will be performing on August 17th at the Backlot Entertainment Venue in Akron, NY.
“Songs of White Lion” tour -Set List
Lonely Nights
Hungry
Tell Me
Broken Heart
Cry For Freedom
Till Death Due Us Part
Little Fighter
Love Don’t Come Easy
Living On The Edge
Wait
When The Children Cry
Radar Love
Farewell To You
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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