Gov't Mule and Dark Side of the Mule at Red Rocks 8-7-23

Michael Yanko

Rock Legends Photographers

Red Rocks was on my bucket list for many years. In early July I got an email from Gov't Mule stating that they were going to be playing there on 8-7-23 doing their Dark Side of the Mule performance. I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to cross this one off my list. After doing a little research I found out that not only was Jason Bonham opening the show with his Led Zeppeling Evening, Joe Bonamassa was playing there the night before. The decision was made, and 15 minutes later I had flights, car rental, and a hotel all booked. I was very excited to cross this one off my list and enjoy 2 nights of amazing music. I had seen Gov't Mule several times before, but I had heard that the DSOTM shows are spectacular. I was very excited for this 2 great days of music.

Unlike the previous rainy night the weather was perfect. Special guest Jason Bonham and his Led Zeppelin Evening opened the show with an amazing tribute to Zeppelin. This was the perfect band to preface the amazing performance we were all about to experience. 

Jason Bonham at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado 8-7-23

Michael Yanko 

Rock Legends Photographers

Day two of my Red Rocks bucket list adventure trip was the best of the two. The weather was wonderful, and this time I had a pass to shoot from the photo pit. Plus, there were 2 great bands, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, and Gov't Mule doing their own music as well as a set of Pink Floyd songs.

Bonham's band opened the show performing their Led Zeppelin Evening.

 I was fortunate to see Led Zeppelin several times in the 70s, and they definitely cemented a place in my memory as one of the greatest bands of all time. Jason Bonham's band is amazing, and they sound closer to the original Led Zeppelin than any tribute band ever could. 

Bucket List! Red Rocks with Joe Bonamassa August 6th, 2023

 By Michael Yanko 

Rock Legends Photographers

     Having been a concert photographer since the 70s and shooting thousands of concerts, hundreds of festivals, and nine music cruises, Red Rocks has been on my bucket list for many years. When I got an email from Gov't Mule stating that they were playing there, it piqued my interest. When I found out that Jason Bonham was opening and that Joe Bonamassa was playing the night before, I realized it was time to make a trip to Colorado and cross this one off my list!

     Red Rocks is located in Morrison, Colorado, about a half hour outside Denver. It's surrounded by beautiful scenery, which made for a wonderful drive. We parked at the onsite museum, and then made the one-mile trek downhill to the box office to get our photo passes. The excitement in the air was already starting to build and we met some great people at the box office. One of the people we met was Joe Bonamassa's driver, and he was more than helpful with tips about the venue. The best tip of all was that there was a shuttle to take me up to the top where the venue is. The shuttle dropped me off at the backstage entrance, giving me an opportunity to capture the stunning photo on the next page.