So as a life long New Yorker, the number one thing that all us New Yorkers tend to do is stay away from Times Square…it’s a tourists dream come true and a New Yorkers worst nightmare. So it goes to say that right in the middle of all of that madness, tucked in a little corner is this amazing club/restaurant/performance area called The Iridium.

Originally started as a Jazz club, The Iridium began life in 1994 near Lincoln Center and played host to many a Jazz great. The club moved to its current location in Times Square in 2011. Here I found myself, going down the stairs to check out the current resident of the night, Mr. Kip Winger. Yes the front man of his namesake band. Mr. Winger was in town on his current solo tour plugging all things Winger, band and solo material and some cool covers. As I went to check off my name for my press credentials, it was brought to my attention that my name wasn’t on the list. Step in the host of The Iridium, one Grace Blake. Grace had “The Grace” (no pun intended) of taking care of everything and letting me attend and cover the show. Most venues would have turned me away with a “Sorry dude, not our problem”. But not The Iridium. They took care to let me stay for the show. So thanks to Grace for her help, and it’s always good to know that there are still places like The Iridium that aren’t big corporate places that treat you like a number, but as a human. So on to the show.
Kip Winger brought his “A” game to The Iridium with a full acoustic line of hits…and not hits played with the gusto of a man half his age. “Down Incognito”, “Seventeen” and “Miles Away” were just a few of the repertoire played this night. Mr. Winger also went the cover route when he brought out band mate Rod Morgenstein and friends Andy Timmons and Mark Hudson. Mr. Hudson in particular took center stage a bit with his stories about meeting greats Paul McCartney and Aerosmith. This Jam band covered The Beatles “Helter Skelter” and Led Zeppelin. All in all, a great night in The Heart of Times Square. Boy, I never thought I would say that, but then again, it was at The Iridium. A little slice of Rock “N” Roll heaven in the middle of all that madness.