The Alpena Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2496 hosted the event and dozens of sponsors pulled together to make the concert a reality. A portion of the revenue from the concert will be distributed to area charities such as the Alpena Veterans Relief Fund, Toys for Kids, Foster Closet, United Way, the Friendship Room, and others.

The energy from the crowd didn’t go unnoticed by frontman Jesse James Dupree, who continually riled the band’s fans into a frenzy, especially when he fired up his trusty chainsaw, which he played along with the guitar, bass, and drums during the hit song “The Lumberjack,” in which Dupree methodically shredded a wooden stool on the stage.

“I hope you’re not in a hurry tonight,” Dupree said to the crowd at the beginning of the show. “This is an Alpena Jackyl family reunion. Here’s to you and I hope you’re ready to rock.”

Concertgoers reveled at the chance to catch a big-name rock show in Northeast Michigan.

News Photo by Steve Schulwtiz Jackyl frontman Jesse James Dupree sings to a packed audience at the APlex on Friday.

“I’m excited,” attendee Tina Bedford, of Gaylord, said before the show. “It’s nice not having to drive to Detroit or Grand Rapids for a show. I haven’t been to Alpena since I was in high school, and this is just great.”

Jackyl exploded onto the music scene in 1992 when it released its self-titled debut album. That release sold more than 1 million copies and features a handful of hits that are still popular on rock airwaves today.

Those hit singles include “Down on Me,” “When Will It Rain,” “I Stand Alone,” and “The Lumberjack.”

Concert organizer Don Monti, who was pivotal in making the concert a reality, said he is pleased with the way the band and its crew were welcomed to Alpena.

He said he hopes the success of the show on Friday will lead to more national acts choosing to stop in Alpena while on tour.

The Michigan band Raggedy Ann opened the show and set the stage for the headliner by ramping the crowd up with many rock hits.