Las Vegas Weekly

September 30, 2009 · 11:28 AM

Photo Galleries: Creed and Van Morrison in concert at The Joint

By Robin Leach

Creed performs at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Fans from as far away as the British Isles and Australia traveled to Las Vegas for Van Morrison’s sold-out concert at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. Van wore his trademark dark sunglasses and his iconic black fedora for the show.

Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik, who shot our extraordinary photo gallery with our Tom Donoghue alongside, told me: “At times, you could hear a pin drop in The Joint as he skatted and whispered some of his vocals and then slowly and soulfully built them up into soaring, powerful vocal deliveries. His dynamic vocal prowess had the audience hanging on his every note. They were on their feet in full, roaring applause and cheers.

“He had full command of the stage with his large backing band and the gold microphone and mic stand embellished with his V.M. initials. During the show, he played piano, guitar, harmonica and saxophone. Highlights included “In the Garden,” “That’s Life,” “The Healing Has Begun,” “Moondance” and “Have I Told You Lately.”

Erik also shot the Hard Rock Hotel stop of Creed’s reunion tour. The band broke up in 2004 but has now reunited for a new album, Full Circle, to be released on Oct. 27. Hit-makers for the past 15 years, Creed disbanded after three multiplatinum albums that sold 35 million copies worldwide. Frontman Scott Stapp and his band’s big hits include “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open.”

Said Erik: “They are back together and playing better than ever!”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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