By John Johnson, Photos by Chaz Dykes of Chaz D Photography
On a brisk, windy evening at The Sound in Clearwater on Saturday, 38 Special kicked off the night with an electrifying performance that set the tone for the evening. The Southern rock legends delivered an energetic 15 song set filled with crowd-pleasing hits like “Hold On Loosely” and “Rockin’ Into the Night”, their opener, getting the crowd on their feet early. The five piece band, celebrating their 50 Year Legacy Tour, proved to be on top of their game. The chemistry between the band members was palpable, with singer/guitarist Don Barnes’ still powerful vocals and Jerry Riggs’ iconic guitar solos standing out. The current lineup includes Barnes and Riggs, as well as keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffatt and bassist Barry Dunaway. The night sky was filled with hit after hit, including “Wild Eyed Souther Boys”, “Back Where you Belong”, “Caught up in You” and a personal favorite of mine, “Fantasy Girl”. It’s easy to forget how many familiar songs they have until you realize, at their show, that you’re singing every one with them. The crowd, of mostly middle aged and above, music lovers happily sang along to hit after hit, by the ageless gents, who could be sponsored by Grecian Formula. Gray hair masking aside, the band’s charisma and stage presence kept the crowd engaged throughout, building a palpable excitement for the headliner, Foreigner.
From the moment the iconic band took the stage, the energy was electric, with the crowd singing along to the opening hits “Double Vision” and “Head Games.” The six piece band’s tight musicianship and powerful vocals, led by Kelly Hansen, captivated the audience throughout the night. “Cold as Ice”, “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “Dirty White Boy” followed. The latter leading to band introductions by the forever youthful Mr. Hansen, who effortlessly croons while covering the entire stage. Case in point, when the soon to be 64 year old bellowed “like it never will again” during the bridge to “Feels Like the First Time”, clearly not his first time.
Hips be damned, as the senescent attendees stood and screamed along to the huge 80’s standard “Urgent”. Which was followed by a keyboard solo by Michael Bluestein, and drum solo from Chris Frazier. The charismatic Jeff Pilson, formerly of hair rockers Dokken, thumped the bass with glee and precision. Dual guitarists Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado, extremely great players in their own right, made it almost unnoticeable that founder and guitarist Mick Jones was not present. The production was top-notch, with stunning visuals and audio that enhanced the overall experience, and The Sound staff proved again how “it’s done”.
The highlight of the night came during the encore when Lou Gramm, the legendary original frontman, joined Hansen and the band on stage. After one of my faves, “Long, Long Way from Home”, Hansen brought out Gramm for the final tunes of the evening. Together, they performed two of Foreigner’s biggest hits, “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded”. Their largest selling single, “I Want to Know What Love Is” had local choir members performing on stage with the band members. Foreigner has been doing this for over fifteen years, working with the Grammy Foundation in hopes of raising awareness about the lack of funding for school music programs. The crowd erupted with excitement as Gramm’s unmistakable voice filled the air, making for an emotional and thrilling duet with Hansen. Foreigner’s timeless songs resonated with both long-time fans and even some younger newcomers, creating a lively, nostalgic atmosphere. It was a night of great music by two powerful and legendary groups, creating unforgettable memories for everyone in attendance.
Now, go See, Hear, and Feel Live Music.
