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The concert was absolutely fantastic!!! AJ had three opening acts, PYT (four teen girls harmonizing and dancing -- doing better at the latter than the former on some of the songs but showing promise -- coming out with a single called "Sweet, Sweet Kisses"), Mindi Abair (BSB band's resident sax/keyboards/percussionist) doing her own stuff (LOVED her song "Free" where she talks about wanting to be free to be herself, and complaining about the latest fashions which only keep her broke and obsessed -- more of a rocker than I expected-- must get the CD!), and EYC. If you saw the recent BSB tour, EYC did the exact same act, but say they will be changing it now for the year 2000. They really know how to get the crowd going!

AJ did indeed originally appear on stage as Johnny Suede in a long brown duster with matching pants and hat, sitting on a chair, handcuffed-hands behind his back, with guy in police uniform behind him. Said guy uncuffed him and the show started with a heavy metal song. He then ran offstage and changed into the white suit with pinstripe. The second song was followed up by another rocker which neither my friend nor I can remember. After that, a spotlight went on for a second on the right side of the stage -- long enough for a few people to recognize Brian and start screaming. Brian sang along the majority of two songs ("Johnny" kinda sang backup), both Brian McKnight's, "Back At One" and "6,8,12".

Brian also came over and hugged Johnny Suede/AJ and congratulated him on his birthday (since both Johnny and AJ have the same birthday). Brian was beaming the whole night and looked great in a grey suit with black shirt and black tie. "Johhny" told the story of AJ's nickname "Bone" and dedicated the song "Bad to the Bone" (formerly by George Thoroughgood) to AJ. "Johnny" also sang a longer version of "Lay Down Beside Me" with an extra verse, and a song that AJ wrote (but as "Johnny" said, "I'm sure I can sing it better than AJ can") called "If You Knew What I Knew". I'm sure I am forgetting some of the other songs in here too. Also, Denise, AJ's mom, brought out a cake onstage, along with a girl dressed up as Marilyn Monroe to sing "Johnny" "Happy Birthday" as the band crowded around holding a bunch of AJ's puppets. "Johnny" did not seem thrilled with this, and made a remark about the band getting their "butts kicked later". The band included Mindi, Tommy, Dennis, Guy and Louie. There were also a couple people that Mindi brought with her, but I didn't catch their names.

"Johnny" ended the concert by asking if anybody wanted to hear a Backstreet Boys song. He then launched into an incredible rock version of "Hey Mr. DJ" that had the whole crowd dancing and singing along. The lights stayed off after he left the stage, so nobody moved. AJ came back out with EYC and announced that "Johnny" had to leave, and he was going to have to do this song "AJ-style" so he took off his jacket and shirt (he had changed into a red suit, white shirt). He then launched into an old solo of his, "Brick House" -- with the full "Band, hit me one time" (accompanied by pelvic thrust), band hit me two times (2), band hit me five times, band hit me ten times ...that was only nine times! "(the tenth pelvic thrust practically started at the floor). Needless to say the crowd was loving it, AJ was loving it, and EYC was having the time of their lives singing and dancing along (and pelvic thrusting along) with AJ.

The show was followed by a birthday party for special guests of AJ's there at the Hard Rock Live. There was a balcony outside where they were holding AJ's party, and a crowd of girls were hanging out there hoping for a glimpse of AJ. I did see AJ come out once and blow the crowd a kiss. Apparently Nick was also there (they screamed for him anyway). They also were singing happy birthday to AJ, although I don't know if he was in the area to hear it.

I totally loved the show, and it was great to see AJ in a different light!