Dragon Still Breathes Fire

Julie and Mark

Victor and Todd

Band: Dragon
Venue: The Palms at Crown Casino
Date: 18th April 2008
Reviewed By: Victor Wong
Photos by Julie Mitcheson

With the new reformed Dragon line-up, they still delivered the passion that was created in the 1970’s and 80’s. Marc Hunter who is best remembered as the lead singer of Dragon is irreplaceable but another Marc came close. Mark Williams who had a solo hit with “Show No Mercy” back in 1990, rocked The Palms Casino in Melbourne. Notably the only original Dragon member is Todd Hunter. Is this still Dragon or just a bunch of musicians getting together and Todd Hunter as an insertion?
The first half of the concert was “The Songs of Our Brothers”, a tribute to the Aussies deceased. The opener was Billy Thorpe’s “Most People I Know” set the mood for a great night. Other tributes included Bon Scott’s (AC/DC) “Long Way To The Top”, Michael Hutchence (INXS) “Don’t Change” and Steve Gilpin (Mi-Sex) “Blue Day”.
A huge absent from the deceased playlist was Graeme “Shirley” Strahan (Skyhooks) and even perhaps Ted Mulry (Ted Mulry Gang) could have included in Dragon’s memory lane repertoire. Most of the sedated Dragon fans were seated most of the night except one enthusiastic girl who bopped a lone figure in front of the stage nearly all night. Then, until “April Sun In Cuba” rocked the house. Then the flood gates opened when the way post-teenies hobbled towards the stage to sing and dance and mingle with the “lone girl”. The entire mood somewhat changed from tapping foot to get up and groove! It was time to “Get That Jive”! Now with the crowd singing and old joints moving, Dragon proceeded with favourites “Are You Old Enough”, “Dreams Of Ordinary Men”, “Still In Love With You”,“Ozambezi” and acoustically “Young Years”. The restored Dragon kept the fans happy with its high energy. I believe if they played on, other songs would have made it such as “Cry” and “Magic” but not “This Time”.