Gino Concert Review, Milwaukee, Emerald City Chronicle,
December 1977
Looking out over an audience assembled for a Gino Vannelli concert, one is immediately struck by the landslide feminine presence squirming in anticipation. Given the fact that he looks like he was cloned from Adonis, Gino could probably fill halls on the strength of promo pix alone.
The physical image of the show can best be classified as energized macho (I was amazed that he didn't dance his way out of his poured-on costume during the performance, but such are the wonders of modern synthetics). Vannelli's recorded work is characterized by lushly orchestrated production that one would expect to be hard to reproduce on stage with a six-man band. Yet, Gino had the confidence to open the show with his biggest hit "Love Of My Life", and progressed onward and upward from there.
Every move Gino made seemed to inspire a squeal of delight from the multitude, especially when he would cruise the runway between songs to caress the audience. The crowd felt sufficiently well-fondled to demand and get two encores. Despite the dusky heartbreaking presence that Vannelli presents in concert, offstage Gino is down to earth, sincere, intensely loyal to his supporting cast, and amazingly clean living (no mounds of cocaine on the coffee table in the pop star's hotel room). Not at all what you'd expect from a man likely to be the heart-throb of several continents by the end of his world tour.
In talking with Gino, both in Milwaukee and Kansas City, several things stood out. First is the complete confidence he has that he will be a success. Despite the fact that Vannelli has gone out on a limb with his music (all tunes are written by Gino and his brother) in the sense that it doesn't fit into the standard A&M mold. Vannelli works on the assumption that his career will flourish and the public will accept his work. He also displays amazing patience with the white water ride of show biz. Despite the years of struggle to get that close to the brink, Gino hasn't developed this "I'll eat them for lunch when I get to the top" mentality of an Elvis Costello, and appears willing to take all the time to do it right.
Finally, Gino really likes what he's doing, enjoys the company of the people he works with, and has a very deep respect for his audience. All in all, the performer and the man combine to produce an act with the potential to change the face of the business (if only by strings respectable again). Gino is one of those nice guys you hope will finish first, and having had the opportunity to see him in action, I'm willing to bet that he will.