Blog | Rock Meets Classic 2025 by Dutch Bass player Alex Jansen

The Inside Story

The Rock Meets Classic tour is a huge event in Germany with top musicians and an A-list of guest vocalists. This year they had Glenn Hughes, Lita Ford, Fran Cosmo (ex-Boston), Randall Hall (ex-Lynyrd Skynyrd), John Elefante (Kansas) and Mal McNulty (ex-Slade). For the third time in a row the bassist of the RMC band was Dutchman Alex Jansen. Like on the previous tours, HeadBangers LifeStyle asked Alex if he wanted to write a blog, which he agreed doing.

So, enjoy the inside story of the Rock Meets Classic tour 2025!

Another year and here we are again. Back on the road with Rock Meets Classic. This year we have all new guests and more shows than last year.

The trip started Thursday loading gear and getting to Wurzburg. Setting up for band rehearsals in the evening and testing the gear. Friday, we started early, and we made it a long day. Going through ninety percent of the show’s setlist. We have been working on the setlist for a long time. As the artists have had so many hits it is almost impossible to choose. We are talking from hard rock to southern rock to progressive rock. It is all there, and the program in my opinion is stellar.

ROCK MEETS CLASSIC – THE BAND 

Saturday, we had the second rehearsal, and this went on for a long day, but we managed to get all the work done and in the afternoon we were joined by the choir. The band is Michael Ehre, Tom Naumann, Alexander Beyrodt and me. The choir is Alessandro Del Vecchio, Kati Cher and Inez Vera Ortiz. The musical director and keyboardist is again Lisa Müller.

ROCK MEETS CLASSIC – THE ORCHESTRA

The Sunday was again a rehearsal day but this time with the orchestra. So, the crew came in Sunday night to take down the equipment and set it up again in the venue where the stage is set up already. 

The day with the orchestra is always stress as we have to see that everything we thought and arranged fits with what they are playing. An orchestra plays from sheets, and we do it by memory. That day went by quickly and most of the songs we got through. We had a great diner in the evening and then it was time for Tuesday to come on. The first day with the guests. They come in groups. First it was Mal McNulty formerly of Slade. We passed through his songs, and he was happy with the results, and we were done pretty quickly. 

Next up were Fran Cosmo formerly of Boston. We had some more work there as he wanted to change some endings but as we did not play a full song just beginnings and endings we were done also pretty quickly. Then it was time for John Elefante formerly of Kansas. Well, this was funny. We had the songs and played them but the night before we spoke with John and he made us listen to a different version, at least that is what we thought, of ,,Dust In The Wind’’. Turned out that we missed one version, and we had to change some stuff, I wasn’t supposed to play on the song but now I was. But also, here we were done pretty smooth. 

Wednesday was the day where Randall Hall came, and he is such a sweet guy. We went through four classics of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was great to play those songs. Then it was time for Glenn Hughes. Starting with ,,Stormbringer’’ he came to rock, and I guess he had a great time. We went through his songs, and he was happy the way they turned out and how the arrangements are. Always nice to get compliments on my playing by someone with his legacy. 

Glenn decided to hang out with us after he was done and then Lita Ford came to do her rehearsal. We added some parts and changed some. She brought her famous double-neck guitar and well… she rules.

ON THE MOVE 

Then it was time for the crew to tear it all down and load in the trucks. We have four trucks fully loaded and we have three tour buses and one normal coach for the orchestra. It is a big production; we have our own catering, so we have a lot of people. Our crew is Michele Sanna for the drums, Cedric for Alex Beyrodt and the guests and James for me and Tom and Lisa.

ROCK MEETS CLASSIC 2025 – THE FIRST SHOW

Yesterday was the first show and although we have no feeling for what day we are, the first show is the first show. We arrived at our hotel in the afternoon and then all know us from the previous tours, and we mostly get the same room. That is pretty easy, so I don’t have to think. One hour of free time and we were off to the arena. Soundcheck went smooth. Basically, just a set up for the monitors and we were done in 2 hours. Which is quick if you count the orchestra, the band and the 6 guests. 

The audio and light crew is also the crew we have been working with for the last three years and we know them, they know us, and they are awesome in what they do. Same as for the catering, always happy to see those faces.

IT IS SHOWTIME 

So, after soundcheck I had a nice diner and then it was already time to get dressed. 

Showtime… and we are on. Rock Meets Classic 2025 is started. The audience was great, so many faces we know and so many people have been waiting for this time of the year. Of course, not all went as planned but we got through good, some corrections will be made but mostly we are happy how the first show turned out.

ON OUR WAY TO FRANKFURT 

I am now in my bunk writing these lines on our way to Frankfurt for a sold out show tonight. A few months ago, I saw Arch Enemy here and now I am playing this arena again myself. Living the dream if you ask me. Our tour manager is again Mark Nowak, it is my eighth tour with him and it always good to have him on board.

Frankfurt was almost everything we expected. Sold out and a great venue with so many legendary concerts. I am proud to have been able to play here three times until now. The soundcheck was not that long as many of the guests are not coming to the soundcheck anymore. We went over some stuff that we thought that could have been better after the first show. During the show we had a great time although we had a mistake happening. I won’t go into details, sometimes accidents happen and today we had one. After the show we went to the bar and woke up early to travel to Ingolstadt. 

INGOLSTADT 

After a long bus ride, we arrived at one of the best hotels we always have on these tours. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a day off here so we couldn’t enjoy the spa like every other year. after a small break we headed to the venue, and we did a long soundcheck to get a grip on some parts that didn’t work out. We managed to rehearse it. The show started and it went absolutely great. The show was filmed for us, and we were happy it all went great.

MÜNICH

Now we are on our way to Münich to play another legendary venue, Olympia Halle. Cannot wait to play there again. 

We hit the hotel first though. It is a nice place and although I didn’t have much time, I got to do some stuff I needed to do. When I got to the venue the first thing, I did was hit the catering as I was starving, despite having breakfast.

It is so impressive to walk through the halls of this arena. Such a legendary place and today marks the third time of playing this. We are talking about a legendary like Wembley in London, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The soundcheck went pretty easy and went through some small parts. The only thing I noticed today was that despite my in ear sounding great every night, tonight it sounded a bit different. We managed some small tweaks during the show.

The show was great, and it went by in a flash. Everyone delivered a great performance and to see the audience enjoy the music and moment we create makes it all worth. During the encore Lita and I are standing on the ramps and rock out to ,,Sweet Home Alabama’’. We are all smiles, as for the fun we have. A two and a half hour show is over in a blink of an eye.

DÜSSELDORF

After the show we had a nice gathering of friends from Germany and Italy. People I have known for years, and I don’t see that often, although some of them appeared in Czech Republic during a show I played there last year. I went to bed a bit later as I wanted but today, I could sleep in the bus. We are on our way to Dusseldorf, we will have a day off tomorrow too. I might enjoy the city a bit for a walk. 

We got to the hotel in the evening, and we just went out for a small diner. Afterwards I got to my room and fell in my bed and woke up the next morning without an alarm. The day off I spent having a long breakfast and great conversation with Adam about gear and shows and life in general. As the weather was great, I also went for a stroll to the river Rhine and to the old city of Düsseldorf.  

In the evening, we went for diner with some of the band and some of the artists. During the diner Lita told me that she knows Doro, which was not such a big surprise though. As I have played with Doro a few times I decided to write her and tell her we are in town for the day and the next day. Well, a few minutes later there was an answer already. And they might meet during the night or next day.

DORO

The morning of the show day I went with Alessandro Del Vecchio and Kati to the town to shop for some stuff we still need. In the afternoon it was time to get to the venue again and the daily part of soundcheck and catering was back. The hall was a nice one, I knew the name but have never been there, so it was nice to be here. It sounds great and looks great. Soundcheck was done pretty fast again. Best part of the day was when we arrived that Doro was waiting for us, and she was happy to see us, and we were happy to see her. I had a quick chat with her and went to soundcheck while she stayed and talked to Lita. Only happy campers I imagine. The show was great, nice audience and some familiar faces taking shots from the show. 

WENDY DIO 

We are currently traveling to Ludwigsburg for an almost hometown show tonight. Quick stop at the hotel and then it is off to the venue again. We did a short soundcheck and then filmed a video for Wendy Dio to congratulate her for her birthday. The show itself was great, great audience again and I am happy to see so many happy faces. Making memories with and for people is what we all do it for.

Currently we are traveling to Kempten to the big box and tonight is again a sold out show. Can’t wait to hit that stage again.

HAPPY FACES

We had a bit longer soundcheck today as we still wanted to try to fix some stuff and try stuff out. Lita wanted to tweak her guitar sound a bit, all in all it went fast but compared to the other soundcheck this one was a bit longer. Then it was the sit and wait game again. I went to the doc to get a massage like every day before the show. Tonight was a great show, it was sold out. So, all the stars got a cowbell as a prize. The show started and it is always so good to see the happy faces of the crowd and that makes us happy. Sound was great and the show was over in a minute. We had no pyro today as there was not enough distance to the audience. Safety first fellas.

After the show I went to the hotel, and I lived a dream. This morning, I went for breakfast, but I have muscle pain everywhere, so I guess the doc will have some work to do again tonight. We have a 3,5 hour drive to Nürnberg and I am looking forward to play there again. Then one more show tomorrow in Würzburg, yep where the adventure started two weeks ago and where the journey ended last year. We still have some shows to go through before we end the tour in Berlin on Easter Sunday. 

NÜRNBERG

But first Nürnberg, arrived at the Venue right in time to have a quick bite. The venue is close to the place where the gatherings of the Nazis were before the Second World War. I took a pic a few years ago on my first Rock meets Classic tour and noticed afterwards that I saw some familiar buildings. Buildings I knew from TV. I went back during last year to visit this place (and have more time) it is very impressive, and you cannot imagine how big it is. It is also a reminder that things like this should remain in the past. But I do not want to get in politics or anything like that. I prefer to celebrate the life in music and with music. 

So, we did the soundcheck and then it was already dinner time. Went to the doc before the show, the daily ritual, it is magical and prepares us for the stage. The doc is a dear friend of us, and he travels a big part of the tour with us. Then it was time to start the show. I noticed some familiar faces in the crowd directly from the start. The show went by as usual, quick and tonight we had a first.

I had a malfunction of some gear, but our crew got it quickly. Always a bad moment, but we play live. The crowd was great again so Nürnberg did not disappoint. I went to the bar afterwards to meet up with some of the band and some friends. Had some nice chats and went to bed. A few years ago, I was watching a documentary about the Netherlands during the night, last year I had a beautiful dream and this year I slept the whole night like a baby and woke up just in time for the breakfast. I needed it.

WÜRZBURG

In a few minutes we are hitting the road again, not such a long drive as we go to the home base of Rock Meets Classic, Würzburg.

The drive was not too long, and we still had a few minutes in the hotel to unpack and get ready to get to the venue. We did the usual soundcheck and then had diner. The show was 1 hour earlier than the other shows because it is a Sunday. We did a great show and had a great time with a lot of laughs on and off stage. After the show we met up with some friends at the hotel bar and at midnight I went to bed.

Got up this morning had breakfast and now I am writing you these lines just before we hit the road again to go to Passau. We have a day off today and we will get there in time to make a stroll through the city and have a nice dinner tonight. Last three shows coming up and before we know it a month is gone. But a month of amazing memories again.

PASSAU 

We had 5 hour drive and when we arrived in Passau we went for a great diner. Walked along the Danube River. Returning to the hotel I played a few rounds of pool with Tom and his girl. Well, I won at least one time. The rest of the games I was less successful, I am still wondering if foul play was the reason I lost.

I did not do much the morning besides having breakfast and hanging out with Randall. Then it was time to get to the venue again and have soundcheck and then the whole circus started again. We had a great show, and everyone was in such a great mood. We rocked with Lita and all the other artists. I got my stuff signed and after the show I went for the bar for a small drink. 

HALLE

Today will consist of traveling 9 hours to get to Halle where we play tomorrow. Again, a legendary stadium. Can’t wait to perform there. Last two shows coming up and then this magical ride is over. Time flies when you are having fun, and it is proven each time.

The day was spent in the pool and relaxing in the room. Then in the afternoon it was time for the daily routine. I took a walk to the venue as it is only one hundred meters away from the hotel. Soundcheck was quick and after catering and getting dressed the time was there to get on stage. The venue is a tennis arena and al the greats played here, this counts for the tennis players as well as for the artists who played here. Sting, Pink etc.

The show started at 6:30 pm as we had a curfew for the surrounding neighborhoods. It was practically a daytime show, it only got dark during the Glenn Hughes set. The audience was great again and had a great time, like we, a lot of goosebump moments during the show. After the show I took a walk back to the hotel and had a few drinks at the bar with dear old friends. Today is a travel day to Berlin where we will have a day off and then Sunday will be the last show of this tour. Before we all head home Monday.

BERLIN

The first day in Berlin we arrived in the evening, and we only went for diner in the evening and a drink at the bar. Saturday, I spent time with Lisa and Michael (Glenn’s assistant) in visiting a bunker and exposition about World War 1 and 2, a short walk to the Berlin Wall or what is left of it. Ended the trip with a visit to checkpoint Charlie and a nice coffee on the way back to the hotel. The weather was kind of bad so no need to be out more than we did. The evening included a diner with Angus, Lisa, Kati and Ale and then I went back to my room. Kinda sad as we all know the tour is almost over.

PHONE CALLS AND FRUSTRATIONS

This morning, I woke up to have breakfast and then I had to pick up a rental van for the way home. I have to take some of the gear that won’t stay at verantec, so I need a van. Same for Michael as he needs his drumkit at home. So, we got a cab and head to the rental company. Well big surprise. No one was there. So, it started an odyssey. There were more people who had rented a van and there was no one there although the website and hotline said there should be someone.

A lot of phone calls and frustration later we got the news that we could pick up the cars, but on the other side of Berlin. We were very happy that one of the persons that needed a car came by car, so he offered us a ride. It took us 40 minutes to get to the other side of the city. When we arrived, the whole thing went okay, vans were there, and we made our way back to the venue. Parking is a drag and especially with a van in Berlin. We managed to get some good spots. Tonight, after the show those vans need to be loaded. Tomorrow, we go home, but first we will enjoy the last show. 

AUTOGRAPHS, SELFIES AND MORE

Like always the soundcheck was quick and smooth although a bit chaotic, the reason? No one can tell. Right after it was time for diner and then the hectic started. People running around with turbos and sharpies to get autographs. People making selfies, people making pics from each other and artists, people from the band, bus driver and on and on and on.

ROCK MEETS CLASSIC 2025 – THE END

The show itself? Well, it was a great and emotional show, we all had a great time, and we were all taking up the energy and friendship that was made furring the last 4 weeks. After the show the other hectic broke out. People getting gear, loading their own car or van. It looked like ants getting food to their nest. When I got all my gear and Tom’s gear, I loaded the van and parked the van across from the hotel. Then it was time for the bar as Alessandro was having his birthday right at midnight. We all sung for him and after a few drinks it was time to hit the bed. Some are already gone to the airport, it is 7:30 am, I am typing this and getting ready to start driving home.

Another Rock Meets Classic tour in the books. My third one and again it was an absolute joy and honor to work with these people and guests.

See you next year!

All photos provided by Alex Jansen