Simon RushworthThe Dead Daisies wrapped up another triumphant run of UK gigs with a showstopping set at Stonedead Festival 2025. Rushonrock reflects on the best and worst of David Lowy and his hard rocking hired hands.
Flower power guaranteed
During their 13-year evolution The Dead Daisies might have gone through more members than an audition night for Naked Attraction but one thing’s never changed: cold, hard consistency. Head honcho David Lowy knows how to pick his Daisies and the current line-up’s visibly blooming. Fit-again Doug Aldrich, reinstated frontman John Corabi and the consummate pro that is Detroit’s demonic Tommy Clufetos are Dead good… every night.
Cover your ears
Since when did The Dead Daisies become a glorified covers band? Sure, their setlists have always included one or two bona fide back catalogue bangers from the hard rock songbook. And then there was this year’s release of the compelling Muscle Shoals-styled Lookin’ For Trouble — an unashamed celebration of rootsy blues. Now nobody would have begrudged this summer’s run of UK shows featuring two or three covers but six or seven — plus a medley featuring AC/DC, The White Stripes, Sabbath, Zeppelin and Priest — every night? With seven studio albums of original music under their belts it just seems bizarre to devote almost half the set to other folks’ work.
The Ald ones are the best
Doug Aldrich’s well-documented battle with throat cancer put every fan of the electric guitar on notice that even the fittest looking (in every sense of the word) six stringers aren’t infallible. But after positive news coming out of the Def Leppard camp around Vivian Campbell earlier this year, there was a collective sigh of relief when Aldrich announced his own surgery had been successful. The former Lion and Whitesnake favourite was on fire throughout the Daisies’ UK tour and it’s little wonder Lowy’s revolving door policy for Daisies’ members doesn’t apply to Doug.
Cor blimey
Rushonrock has always been a safe space for fans of the Voice Of Rock. But even we felt Glenn Hughes was never the right fit for The Dead Daisies. And with all due respect to one of our favourite frontmen, it’s fantastic to see and hear John Corabi back at the helm. Where Hughes brought the blues and the high notes, the one-time Mötley Crüe man is more about the ‘raw’. Corabi’s sleaze-soaked grit elevates songs like Mexico, I’m Gonna Ride and Light ‘Em Up to the next level. And that beard? Wow.
Images courtesy of Gordon Armstrong