Larry Sabo / Tahoe Onstage photos
Rock ‘n’ roll royalty, Zero took the Crown Room stage at Crystal Bay Casino Lake Tahoe on Nov. 23.
With their bluesy jam-band/rock style, the musicians captivated the audience from the start with “Tear Tags,” Roll Me Over” and “Ermaline.”
Guitarist Steve Kimock and drummer Greg Anton started the group in 1984. On this night, they were joined by Jerry Garcia Band keyboard player Melvin Seals, bassist Pete Sears and new vocalist Sebastian Saint James, who has an extraordinary, raspy voice. In the past, the members performed with Jefferson Starship, Chuck Berry Band, Jerry Garcia Band, Moonalice and Hot Tuna.
They played two sets totaling two and a half hours of amazing jam-rock fusion, including songs by longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, who passed this year. Their short, four-day run of shows celebrated the band’s 35th anniversary.
Lisa Fierro of Mill Valley explained her husband, Martin Fierro, had played sax with the band. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. At a show in Healdsburg, their daughter, Jessica Fierro, joined Zero onstage to play saxophone on a rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” as a tribute to her dad.
At Crystal Bay, the group closed with “Pits of Thunder,” “Straight Jackets,” “Forever is Nowhere,” “Mercury Blues” and the crowd’s favorite, “Let’s Go Get Stoned.”
Zero left everyone wanting more music.
–– Marcia Schultz
Click this link to see more than 40 photos of the show.
— Marcia Schultz
