BEYOND PURPLE – LIVE AT THE WOLF DEN – MOHEGAN SUN
By Jody Wilk
Beyond Purple played to a full house at the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, Connecticut on January 25, 2025, in celebration of guitarist Jimi Bell’s birthday.
Fans started lining up at the entrance to the Wolf Den around 3:00pm for the 8:00pm show. Beyond Purple is known as the best Deep Purple/ Whitesnake cover band in the Northeast. They also perform hits from Rainbow and Dio. The band consists of Mike Gill, of Livesay and Johnny A., on vocals, Jimi Bell of Autograph and House of Lords on guitar, filling in for BJ Zampa on drums was Bryn Mutch, as BJ was out on tour with Dokken, local legend Brian Camilleri on bass, and the newest member, Gary Fox Jr. on keyboards and backing vocals.
This incredibly talented force to be reckoned with filled the casino with shreddy guitar licks, searing vocals, and pounding bass that left the fans and unexpecting casino guests wondering what kind of wizardry they had just experienced. Not only was the center of the Wolf Den filled to capacity, but the fans were lined up around the outside fence of the concert area as well.
Prior to the beginning of the set, the fans and friends got to wish Jimi a happy birthday as he was hanging out on the floor before the show, as well as the other members of the band as they walked in. Someone made a really cool Jimi Bell rock star figurine and a stage diorama to put it in.
They kicked off the set with Deep Purple’s “Hush” and without delay went into one of my favorite cruising tunes “Highway Star”. The floor of the venue was packed in, elbow to elbow, with fans of 70’s and 80’s metal all here to celebrate and hang out with the friends they have made in the local music scene over the last 40+ years. Next up was “Give Me All Your Love”, a Whitesnake cover that kept the fans singing and dancing along.
Gary Fox Jr. kicked off the next song with the ominous keyboard intro to Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers”. “Burn” is always a highlight of their show for me, getting to watch Jimi Bell show off his insanely talented guitar abilities. Beyond Purple rocked the Wolf Den for a full hour and a half set, with Bryn Mutch killing it on drums and making it look easy while twirling and tossing his sticks throughout the night.
All the band members looked like they were having the time of their lives interacting with each other and goofing around. Mike, several times, made sure to let everyone know that it was Jimi Bell’s birthday. Brian rocked the bass with precision and a smile. They ended their incredible night of music with “Still of The Night” and the iconic “Smoke on The Water”.
Beyond Purple will certainly be welcomed back to the Wolf Den as they filled the venue to capacity and more. But until then, you can catch them around the Northeast throughout the rest of the year. Next up they will be performing a benefit show at Bleachers in Bristol, CT March 15, for Mark Zito, their previous keyboard player, who passed away just over a year ago.
To learn more about Beyond Purple, check out their Website
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