Foreigner, with Mick Jones as the only remaining original member, tour year-round, playing their numerous hits to packed arenas and amphitheaters all over the world. In the Spring of 1978, it was a different story. The original lineup of Jones, singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliot, multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Ed Gagliardi were on the road, touring behind their massively successful self-titled debut album (and about to follow it up with their sophomore effort, Double Vision). Fortunately, the cameras were rolling when they played a sold-out show at London’s Rainbow Theatre on April 27, 1978. Four decades later, Live At The Rainbow ’78,available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital video, diligently captures the night in all its magnificence.
In the late 70s, the members of Foreigner were fresh-faced, hungry, and eager to take the world by storm. It wasn’t easy as punk, new-wave, and disco were moving in and disrupting rock and roll in a way that made bands like Foreigner, often called “faceless” and “corporate,” the subject of harsh critical ridicule. None of that seemed to matter at the Rainbow Theatre in London as the six-man unit of three Brits and three Americans came out and delivered a sizzling, energetic set that never seems to lose its momentum. The show is filled with every song from the group’s debut, including the singles “Long, Long Way From Home,” “Cold As Ice” and “Feels Like The First Time.”
As if the material from the first Foreigner album isn’t enough, Gramm announces after three songs that the band will play a “new” one from their next album “coming out in six weeks.” The song is “Hot Blooded,” which, unbeknownst to the Rainbow audience at the time, would go on to crack the Top 10 the following summer. “Double Vision,” the title track of the new album and its second single to zoom up the charts, landing at Number 2, is also previewed at the Rainbow. Hearing classic tracks like these before they became known to a winder audience provides a unique perspective. It’s also a clear sign that bigger and better things were lying ahead for Foreigner.
For fans of the original band, it’s the deep tracks, many no longer on the set list, that makes this video extra special. On “I Need You,” Jones burns through an extended guitar solo, while “Starrider” morphs into a progressive rock-like opus with McDonald tooting a brilliant, no-nonsense flute solo, Greenwood swiping at his Hammond, and Jones taking the lead vocal and letting his Les Paul bring it all home. For anyone paying attention, McDonald proves himself indispensable as the band’s utility man, playing not only flute, but guitar and keyboards as well. Not to be outdone by the caliber of musicianship, Gramm even jumps on the drums alongside Elliot on a couple occasions.
“At War With The World,” one of the band’s sturdiest rockers, ends the regular set. An encore of “Headknocker” gets the whole house on their feet, clapping and stomping, as Gramm and Gagliardi work the crowd. It’s a classic ending at a 70s concert where everyone is giddy with joy and the party is only starting. Once it’s done and over with, it could be argued that the reason Foreigner continues to thrive on the concert circuit is because the bar was set so high by the original lineup. Maybe that’s why they brought them back for a handful of shows in 2018. If you missed that, Live At The Rainbow ’78 will more than make up for it.
~ Shawn Perry
