Review by Shawn Perry
Photos by Maria Younghans
The Soundtrack of Summer featuring Foreigner, Styx and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder made its way down the homestretch at the sold-out Greek Theatre. The tour started on May 22nd in Estero, Florida and wrapped on July 27th in Santa Barbara, California, the day after the show at the Greek. Foreigner and Styx finish out the summer together (without Felder) with four more shows in August.
Having three acts on the bill meant the schedule was tight, so at precisely 7:00, Don Felder and his stellar band — bassist Shem von Schroeck, drummer Steve DiStanislao, guitarist Greg Suran and keyboardist Timothy Drury — were up and running through their brief 10-song set. Obviously, there were loads of Eagles songs trotted out, beginning with “Already Gone,” from Felder’s first album with the Eagles, 1974’s On The Border. the guitarist’s signature leads for this one, “One Of These Nights” and “Victim Of Love, which he co-wrote with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and J.D. Souther, all had that classic Eagles feel.
On the heavier side, there was “You Don’t Have Me,” from Felder’s 2012 solo album, Road To Forever, along with “Heavy Metal (Takin’ A Ride),” which Felder penned and recorded for the 1981 animated film Heavy Metal. Everybody in the band were seasoned players, so the vibe was tight and locked in. They even sang like the Eagles, tackling the five-part harmony on “Seven Bridges Road” with sure-footed aplomb.
Felder dedicated “Witchy Woman” (even though he didn’t play on the original Eagles version) to his “golfing buddy” Tiger Woods, adding: “I think he knows a lot of these ladies…” He played a gold Stratocaster for “Life In The Fast Lane,” and strapped on his famous Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck for “Hotel California.” Tommy Shaw and Todd Sucherman from Styx came up to sing along (Felder, Shaw and Foreigner’s Kelly Hansen and Mick Jones appeared on a re-recorded version of the song to promote the tour), and brought the house down. Felder and Shaw traded leads on the song’s climatic final measures, and it was all over. A nice beginning to a night of classic music.
Styx came out shortly after 8:00, opening big with “The Grand Illusion.” Sucherman manned a huge drumset, while bassist Ricky Phillips paced the ramp above him. Shaw and co-guitarist James “JY” Young glowed and swayed in unison as Lawrence Gowan spun his keyboard around and sang the verses. Having seen Dennis DeYoung months before, it’s hard to tell who does the songs better. But there’s little doubt that Gowan has a firm handle on making it sound authentic, while adding his own flavor of musicianship and showmanship to the proceedings. He capably stirred the ship on “Lady” and “Come Sail Away” as well.
Shaw, of course, grabbed the spotlight during “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Crystal Ball” and “Blue Collar Man,” with Don Felder on guitar. Sitting in for a few numbers, as he usually does, was original bassist Chuck Panozzo. Without a doubt, however, a highlight of Styx’s set, which doesn’t deviate all that much, was “Superstars.” They brought it back for The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight tour of 2011, and somehow it’s still on the set list. Tonight, it got special boast when Shaw decided to take a walk up and down the aisles of the Greek during the guitar breaks.
Gowan did his usual medley for the “classic rock faithful” of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Live And Let Die” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” There’s no denying the guy can deliver the goods, but the set could have been better utilized with deeper cuts of their own, instead of light versions of well-worn classics by others. Nevertheless, the crowd ate up each and every moment, especially when Sucherman followed with a superb drum solo. An encore of “Rockin’ The Paradise” and “Renegade,” and Styx had once again dazzled the Greek, as they have in the years past — be it with Yes, REO Speedwagon or tonight as part of The Soundtrack of Summer.
A brief intermission later Foreigner was on, beginning with “Double Vision,” and the first thing I noticed was that sole original member and leader Mick Jones wasn’t on stage. Instead, there were the usual guys — singer Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, guitarist and saxophonist Thom Gimbel, keyboardist Michael Bluesteins, and new drummer Chris Frazier — and Bruce Watson on guitar, playing Jones’ parts. Jones underwent heart surgery in 2012, and this wasn’t the first time he was missing in action. As it turned out, however, he was waiting in the wings, and later joined the band for “Feels Like The First Time.” He stayed for the rest of the night.
Like Gowan with Styx, I’ve learned to accept Hansen taking over for original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm, whose own health issues, including brain cancer, sidelined him for years. Hansen brings a lot of energy to the stage, as does the rest of the mostly younger players. Jones took the lead vocal on “Starrider,” one of Foreigner’s more alluring songs. Other than that, the 10-song set was filled with hits like “Urgent,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You” and “Juke Box Hero.” It’s too bad they weren’t able to squeeze in anything from their 2009 studio release, Can’t Slow Down.
The encore, as you might have guessed, featured Foreigner’s mightiest hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is.” The Imaginations, made up of kids from the John Muir Middle School Vocal Music Association, joined the band for the big chorus. A rather unexpected “Hot Blooded,” with JY, Tommy Shaw and Don Felder, turned the rock back on before the clock struck 11:00. Another night at the Greek came to a rousing conclusion, and The Soundtrack of Summer was one night away from becoming history. Definitely one for the books.
