‘Raiding the Rock Vault': Writer of New Musical Says Classic Rock Has Been the ‘Social Camera’ to Our Lives

Raiding the Rock Vault is a new that travels through the genre's history chronologically through the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s, through to the year 1990.

Unlike most Broadway shows that feature stereotypical sounding show tunes in their storylines, Raiding the Rock Vault boasts classic cuts from Van Halen, Def Leppard, Deep Purple, KISS and many other Noisecreep-worthy groups.

"Having been in bands for so many years, I figured taking this show on and preparing for it wouldn't be tough. But it turned out to be a mammoth undertaking," Asia bassist John Payne tells Noisecreep.

The British musician not only co-wrote Raiding the Rock Vault with Grammy Award-winning record producer David Kershenbaum, he's also a member of the live band in the show that also features Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Jay Schellen (Hurricane), Howard Leese (Heart), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), Andrew Freeman (Offspring), Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group) and Michael T. Ross (Lita Ford).

The show – which also features a cast of actors/dancers – had its debut a few weeks back in Los Angeles at the Mayan Theater. Noisecreep was on hand and we can honestly tell you that we hadn't had fun like that at a musical before.

"When I started thinking about doing this classic rock history type of thing, I realized how much social, political and race issues came into play. In the end, music was a social camera for all of the huge issues that have part of our lives for decades now," says Payne.

At one point in the show, Lynn Turner, Shortino and McAuley hit the stage together to take on Toto's AOR classic, "Hold the Line." It was truly one of Raiding the Rock Vault's many highlights, with each powerhouse vocalist topping each other after every line.

"Very luckily, I know these guys really well now. When I called each of them up and told them about the show, they were really excited about it. During the part of the show where we do that Toto song, I got goosebumps when those three guys were singing. I swear to God!"

Payne tells Noisecreep that they are still fine-tuning aspects of the show, but he and his producing partners are trying to take Raiding the Rock Vault on the road.

"We're having meetings with promoters and agents around the world to see what we can do now that we have the show together. I think from February onwards, you'll see a lot of traction. We want to take this on the road, even though it's quite expensive to pull off. But I think you need the production size that we have to really do the show and story justice."

Stay tuned Noisecreep for more information on Raiding the Rock Vault in 2013.