“Juke Box Heroes” Foreigner “Hot Blooded” during “The Historic Farewell” for CU1 Amp
The final founder left in Foreigner, guitarist Mick Jones, is 78-years-old and only able to perform as his health allows, which has thus far led to intermittent appearances throughout “The Historic Farewell” Tour.
Although he wasn’t physically present when the classic rockers visited a fairly full Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, he’s given full endorsement to singer Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, guitar player Bruce Watson, drummer Chris Frazier and new guitarist Luis Maldonado.
Considering none of those players appeared on most of the original albums, except a few on 2009’s comeback collection “Can’t Slow Down,” Foreigner seemed more like Foreigners, but regardless of what they’re calling it or who was involved, everyone respectfully and accurately honored the legacy of Jones, former singer Lou Gramm and the other aces who’ve passed their way since 1977.
If anything, these guys who joined throughout the 2000s and are all younger by comparison really cranked up the volume and showmanship while navigating “Double Vision,” “Head Games” and “Cold As Ice” to get loose.
Foreigner was no stranger to the ballads either and “Waiting For a Girl Like You” was one such early prize, plus an acoustic set comprised of the relatively recent “When It Comes To Love,” the rarity “Girl On The Moon” and the staple “Say You Will” especially highlighted the headliner’s harmonies.
The group plugged back in for “Feels Like The First Time,” which is more or less how it came across, followed by an elongated “Urgent,” though trading the iconic saxophone blasts for a keytar didn’t pack as much of its typical punch.
Nonetheless, a keyboard and drum solo built the momentum towards a raucous version of “Juke Box Hero,” which as the dynamic Hansen ran around the pavilion, was probably potent enough to hear the “roar of the crowd” and “picture the scene” well into the surrounding neighborhood.
The audience became a choir for an encore of the gospel-infused “I Want To Know What Love Is,” then it all ended on the adrenaline high of “Hot Blooded” and the assurance that no matter the members who are bidding the band goodbye, Foreigner’s material is just as magnetic, meaningful and memorable.
For additional information on Foreigner, visit ForeignerOnline.com.
Upcoming concert highlights at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre include Avenged Sevenfold (Jul. 28); Bret Michaels (Jul. 29); Peso Pluma (Jul. 30); Boy George & Culture Club (Aug. 3); Gov’t Mule (Aug. 4); Mudvayne (Aug. 5); Matchbox Twenty (Aug. 6); Godsmack and Staind (Aug. 10); Eric Church (Aug. 12); Nickelback (Aug. 18); ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 19); The Offspring (Aug. 26); Disturbed (Aug. 30); Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper (Sept. 1); Pentatonix (Sept. 2); Trippie Redd (Sept. 5); Jason Aldean (Sept. 9) and Fuerza Regida (Sept. 23). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.