The recent inclusion of country superstar Carrie Underwood as the opening act for several dates on Guns N’ Roses’ summer tour left many rock enthusiasts surprised, and perhaps even a tad skeptical. However, the American Idol winner managed to silence all doubters and critics with her captivating rock-infused setlist, a selection she meticulously crafted with input from GNR frontman Axl Rose himself. Her performance featured crowd-pleasing renditions of classics like Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” and Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation.” Most notably, she amped up her signature fierceness with a rendition of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” that cranked the intensity up to 11, reminiscent of her hit “Before He Cheats.”
It’s hard not to wonder how much more electrifying Carrie Underwood’s run on American Idol 18 years ago could have been with a dedicated “Motörhead Night.”
Jokes aside, anyone who may have underestimated Underwood’s ability to hold her own in front of thousands of Gen X rock fans has evidently not been following her career closely over the past 18 years. Her passion for old-school metal has always been an integral part of her identity. While it’s unlikely that the “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer will venture into covering extreme metal acts like Deicide, Morbid Angel, Satyricon, or Brujeria in the near future, her genuine enthusiasm for the genre has earned her a warm welcome from GNR’s peers and fans.
Now, the burning question on everyone’s mind is: when can we expect Carrie Underwood’s rock album? If country icon Dolly Parton can successfully release an all-star rock ‘n’ roll record, it seems inevitable that this country princess has the potential to follow suit. Perhaps, with a little patience, we’ll witness the evolution of Carrie Underwood’s musical journey into the realm of rock.
