The enigma that is Bobby Bandiera.

Don't remember the song - he did a solo that was so bad it sort of came off like a joke. Maybe these guys are like I am with my buddies in that we needle each other pretty good. Everybody knows he can't solo, so they make him once each concert and he purposely does it poorly in return. Maybe its a running gag and they all laugh about it later.

Just saying......

It's an interesting thought, but Jon is way too much of a perfectionist to let that happen. Maybe it'd be funny once or twice, but every night of a tour? No way. No respectable musician or band leader would let that happen.

But for whatever reason, Jon does. It just doesn't add up.

I wonder if they laugh as much about the people paying to see their "running gag"...

I had read this thread years ago but forgot it. It's interesting to read it again now, after the 2013 drama...

But, most of all, you need to watch this for fun and musical education. I laughed so hard I could hardly breathe! "Jon" is absolutely perfect!!! And Lady Gaga? Words can't tell!

Great thread!
I think after the two TLFR-Shows both Bobby and Jeff were hired for the HAND tour because Jon wanted to play TLFR songs on a regular basis. But since fans hated those versions they disappeared as fast as they came. After that they recorded Lost Highway. There's no need for a second keyboarder so Jeff disappeared as well. But a second (or third if you want to) guitarist makes sense for most of the songs. So Bobby stayed...and a lot of LH songs in the set for the following tours, too. And in the meantime Jon realised that Bobby was useful to cover up his vocals as well. So here we are with Bobby still on stage with that band

I agree with your theory. Jon's tried different songs, styles, atmospheres along the years but when people hate it, he goes back to his old formula to please the crowds as he explained:
http://youtu.be/pmmN7_gH9vc?t=15m17s

Has anyone ever noticed that when Bobby is strumming, his hand is almost like floating?? There's no force when he strums, no aggressiveness unless he's repeatedly hitting the same note 10 times. It's really weird, his hand is an enigma, and his mouth, it never seems to be close....

"... but I love my new hat more!"




Poor Bobby! His memory for dates is as bad as mine!

FB:

Bobby Bandiera - A Tribute to Neil Young