Review and Photos by:James Pappaconstantine
Show Photos:
Don Felder: HERE
Foreigner: HERE
Styx: HERE
I was excited to get the chance to re-shoot Foreigner and Styx, two bands I shot late last year and really enjoyed. I didn’t know Don Felder was on the bill until the night before the show, and to be honest with you, I couldn’t remember who he was. I knew the name but just couldn’t place it in the rock n roll history section of my mind, but by the end of his set I was well aware as those brain cells kicked into gear.
As most of you may know and I had forgotten, Don Felder was a long time member of the super group, The Eagles, and Don was the brain child of many Eagle’s hits such as Hotel California and One of These Nights as well as writing the title track for the animated movie, Heavy Metal. I knew how good both Styx and Foreigner were live, but I was not prepared at how good Don Felder was, this, my first time seeing him. I must say, I look forward to catching him again at some point.
Next to take the stage were Foreigner, Now there are many nah sayers out there who refuse to go see a band that only has a few of it’s original sum of members, and I do understand this, I’m the first person to point this out, but when a band can pull it off, I also have to tip my hat to them. Today’s Foreigner has only one original member, singer/guitar player Mick Jones and with Mick’s failing health he is not at every show, (he wasn’t at the prior Foreigner show that I covered) but he was here this night and it looked like he was really enjoying himself in amongst the group of exceptional members he had pulled together to form this “new” Foreigner. Singer Kelly Hansen (X-Hurricane) is a whole lot of fun to watch, as he has so much energy and really feeds off the crowd, jumping into the audience at one point and walking across the backs of the chairs all the way to the back of the section. Another great guy to watch live id bassist, Jeff Pilson (X-Dokken) who also always looks like he is having fun. The rest of the guys were no slouches, each added their expertise to the music and did their best to keep it as close to the original a possible.
Styx have not missed a beat, these guys have been on the road every year since… I don’t know… Forever! Vocally they are as strong as they ever were, with the big harmony vocals that most bands can’t handle or if they do fall short of what the guys in Styx bring to the table. Each of the members of Styx could be lead singers themselves and when they all come together it is a beautiful thing. Guitarists Tommy Shaw and James Young are also a blast to watch live, both smiling the night away as they take turns ripping through riffs and solos. These guys are tight. The newest member of Styx was added in 2003, (can we still call him new?) is Ricky Phillips. Many of you might recognized Ricky from his days with The Baby’s and Bad English, two bands who also made an impact in the world of rock radio.
This line-up was perfect and with the beautiful weather and surroundings that the Meadowbrook Farms facility brings the evening was magical.

Don Felder

Foreigner

Styx

Don Felder Set List

 Already Gone

One Of These Nights

You Don’t Have Me

Victim Of Love

Seven Bridges Road

Heavy Metal

Witchy Woman

Heartache Tonight

Life in the Fast Lane

Hotel California

Foreigner Set List

 Double Vision

Head Games

Cold as Ice

Waiting for a Girl Like You

Feels Like the First Time

Urgent

Starrider

Wind efx

Jukebox Hero

 I Wanna Know What Love is

Hot Blooded

 Styx Set List

 Grand Illusion

Too Much Time

Foolin’ Yourself

Lady

Suite Madam Blue

Light Up

Super Stars

Blue Collar Man

Come Sail Away

 Rockin’ The Paradise

Renegade