This band started out as Yesterday and Today. A name they chose because it was the title of the album on the turntable at the time. They used to play all over the Bay Area in the mid 70’s. The early word on Yesterday and Today was that they really rocked the house! They played a harder brand of rock than most bands at the time. Many have said that they were the first hard rock band that played catchy tunes. As their popularity grew, the name Yesterday and Today was considered too long. Instead of thinking of a new name, they decided to call themselves what they heard their loyal fans chanting every night, urging for an encore. Yesterday and Today was shortened to just Y & T……. Y & T …… Y& T!
Longtime Fan
By 2008, I had probably seen Y & T 8 or 9 times. They are consistently excellent in concert. Their melodic approach to hard rock was really groundbreaking and often imitated. When they began as a hard-working rock band in the 70’s, their popularity grew as a live act. Mainly based on lead singer/lead guitarist Dave Meniketti’s classic riffs and strong rock voice. I can remember when my friends and I attended two Y & T shows in the same week! It was at the Old Waldorf, a famous little venue on a rooftop in SF. We saw the band, in the early 80’s, on a Tuesday night and went back on Friday.
So I knew exactly what I was getting into on this Saturday night in 2008 when my friend, Jimmy P, and I walked into the Fillmore. It was going to be loud, fun and rocking! I was going to hear some old favorite songs. I most certainly heard “25 Hours a Day” off their 1976 self-titled debut album. Bassist Phil Kennemore and Dave Meniketti were the only 2 remaining original members left in 2008. Kennemore tragically died three years later, age of 57, from lung cancer. In fact Meniketti is the only original member of Y & T still alive.
Classic Set List
I was happy for Y & T when they finally got some national recognition in the 80’s through a semi -hit song, “Summertime Girls”. They played it on this night at the Fillmore to the great enjoyment of the crowd but some of my other Y & T favorites stood out even more. Especially “Rescue Me” and “Forever”!
Meniketti
Dave Meniketti is a gem! He is a talented guitarist and an excellent vocalist. His riffs are legendary! His blues chops are stellar too, see his solo effort “On the Blue Side” (1998). Being a local band, Y & T has some longtime fans in the Bay Area and any show in the area brings a good sized, veteran crowd. Meniketti always says how happy he is to be home! The lovefest was in full bloom at the Fillmore. The setlist had all the bangers on it. It was a great night! Two opening acts: longtime Bay Area figure Eric Martin and veteran heavy metal rocker Mark Slaughter provided a spirited start to the festivities.
The Poster
And let’s not forget the poster—an artistic masterpiece by Jimbo Phillips. A winged, sword-wielding Amazon warrior princess rode a giant snake out of an erupting volcano. The word “Fillmore” dripped like molten lava down the front. Jimbo’s bold, cartoon-like style captured the essence of Y & T’s rock ‘n’ roll spirit.
Not the first nor the last time I saw Y & T but a memorable one for sure! I have seen them as recently as 2023. It was an easy sell out for the local boys back in 2008. They didn’t have a record to promote but they had a fanbase to satisfy. As a result, we fans were rewarded with this cool poster as we descended the stairs and hit that cool night air .
