70. THE TIME JUMPERS
Virtually Every Monday Night3rd & Lindsley
Nashville, Tennessee
If you're not from Nashville, you're probably wondering ... "who?" Well, the Time Jumpers is a collection of eleven of the most elite studio musicians in the Music City: Brad Albin (bassist, Joe Nichols and Sons of Pioneers), Larry Franklin (fiddle, three Grammys with Asleep at the Wheel, Kenny Chesney, Brian Wilson, Shania Twain, and Alan Jackson), Paul Franklin (steel guitar, Sting, Mark Knopfler, George Strait, and Megadeth), “Ranger Doug” Green (guitar, two Grammys with Riders In The Sky), Andy Reiss (possibly the finest guitarist in Nashville, Slim Pickens, the Jordannaires, and Drake), Dawn Sears (R.I.P.) (vocals, Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year), Kenny Sears (Nashville’s finest fiddle, the original Grand Ole Opry Band, Mel Tillis, Ray Price and Dottie West), Joe Spivey (fiddle, Faith Hill, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams), Jeff Taylor (accordion/piano, two Grammys with Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Harry Connick, Jr., and Martina McBride), Billy Thomas (drums, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Nelson, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton and the Little River Band), and Vince Gill (guitar, Country Music Hall of Fame, 20 Grammys, 18 CMA Awards).
Almost every Monday night, this gang plays a vast array of sophisticated country, swing, jazz, and pop standards. More often than not, other musicians, such as Robert Plant, Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, Sting, and Kelly Clarkson sit in and jam with the band.
If you love music and don't make the trip to see "The Jumpers" then you have really missed something.
Here is a video clip I shot of Amy Grant
sitting in with the Time Jumpers...
69. FELIX CAVALIERE'S RASCALS
April 2, 2022
Center Of Anna Maria
Anna Maria Island, Florida
A large storm front rolled onto Anna Maria Island just as Felix Cavaliere and eight Rascals took the stage at 8:02 pm. The stage lights flickered intermittently as the band opened with In The Midnight Hour. The song quickly transitioned to Shout and then Thank You For Lettin’ Me Be Mice Elf Again. This would become a pattern throughout the concert; medleys of Rascal hits along with cover tunes. The light mellowness of Beautiful Morning was followed by several rock numbers, including You Better Run (popularly remade by Pat Benatar), I Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore, and Come On. The live performance was much harder-edged than most people in the audience anticipated.
Midway through the concert, about a dozen inebriated women spontaneously bum-rushed the area in front of the stage and began dancing wildly. This brought the crowd to its feet. The entire audience surged forward and the performance instantly became a giant frat party. In those few minutes, the Rascals transitioned from oldies act to full-on bar band ... and Felix was having the time of his life, dancing with the girls up front and around the stage.
The more the band rocked, the more the audience responded. The band never let go, playing continuously without stopping, one hit to the next. Felix suddenly improvised and shouted to his guitarist “Key of D!!” Some of the musicians clearly had no idea what was happening and were looking around at each other while Felix began Roll Over Beethoven and then segued into the finale of Long Tall Sally.
It was one of those rare nights when the band and audience became one and together created something very special. For nearly two hours, the Rascals had rocked us through the storm, leaving everyone to disperse into the evening mist humming their favorite Rascals song. To paraphrase Felix ... it was a 'beautiful evening'.
SETLIST:
In The Midnight Hour/Shout/Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Beautiful Morning
A Girl Like You
Love Is A Beautiful Thing
You Better Run
It's Wonderful
I Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore
Come On/(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher
Lonely Too Long
A Ray Of Hope
Groovin'/My Girl/Just My Imagination
Mustang Sally/Play That Funky Music/Its Only Rock And Roll/Get Ready
How Can I Be Sure
People Got To Be Free/Everyday People
Celebration/Jam
Good Lovin'/La Bamba
Slow Down
Roll Over Beethoven
Long Tall Sally
68. TOM JONES
"Hear Me Out Tour"
April 27, 2014
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
April 27, 2014
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
The Ryman Auditorium was the location for the opening night for his 2014 "Hear Me Out" tour, and the stage-flung panties were out in full force ... including a pair of men's boxer shorts.
Here is a Ryman backstage interview with Tom Jones from his "Hear Me Out" tour ...
SETLIST:
Tower Of Song
Raise The Ruckus
Strange Things
Dimming Of The Day
Bad As Me
Delilah
Burning Hell
If I Give My Soul
Don't Knock
Back Ain't Got No Bone
Lord Help
Soul Of A Man
Run On
Didn't It Rain
Green, Green Grass Of Home
I'll Never Fall In Love Again
Thunderball
I Wish You Would
It's Not Unusual
Kiss
Every Woman I Know
End Of The Road
Over the past forty years, I've seen a plethora of stand-up comedians. Going way back, to the 1970s, I have vague memories of Eric Idle visiting Wittenberg University (sans Pythons) and can also recall seeing Don Rickles (opening for Ann Margaret), Louie Anderson (opening for Suzanne Somers), Phyllis Diller, and Rodney Dangerfield in Las Vegas. Many comedians seem connected by a common thread ... for example, Dane Cook and Andrew Dice Clay, although generations apart, are virtually cut out of the same mold.
"Bullish Tour"
For the next ninety minutes, we were inundated with some of the most uplifting sounds of the sixties, often with supporting vintage videos of the Herb's adventures (on horseback, in cars, traveling the world, and with fellow celebrities on television). It was clear that this guy had lived a fantastic life.
Slightly understated in black slacks, black mock-turtleneck shirt, and grey sport coat, Tom casually walked out as if he were in my living room and delivered a two-hour tour-de-force of classic hits, soul and blues standards, and 1990s pop. We were in the presence of a man who been to the top and had gracefully landed on the other side; mellow, smooth and confident. He was also chatty, stopping to share some personal reminisces with his 'friends' in attendance. The audience boisterously responded, frequently shouting out their admiration for him. The highlight for me, of course, was an acoustic 'creole-inspired' version of It's Not Unusual that seemed to fit perfectly with the vibe of the evening. Good show, Tom!
Here is a Ryman backstage interview with Tom Jones from his "Hear Me Out" tour ...
SETLIST:
Tower Of Song
Raise The Ruckus
Strange Things
Dimming Of The Day
Bad As Me
Delilah
Burning Hell
If I Give My Soul
Don't Knock
Back Ain't Got No Bone
Lord Help
Soul Of A Man
Run On
Didn't It Rain
Green, Green Grass Of Home
I'll Never Fall In Love Again
Thunderball
I Wish You Would
It's Not Unusual
Kiss
Every Woman I Know
End Of The Road
67. THE COMEDIANS
I've seen Jay Leno, both on stage and for a taping of The Tonight Show in Burbank (the episode featured Jeff Daniels, Carrot Top, and Brooks & Dunn).
I have seen several of the old Saturday Night Live cast members over the years. Early Steve Martin was kinetic and intellectually obtuse; slightly raw, yet weirdly captivating. Dana Carvey's lightweight humor centered mostly on old-school celebrity impressions, classic Vegas stuff. Dennis Miller put on virtually identical shows, twenty-one years apart. Nevertheless, I enjoyed his cerebral political banter at both shows (he performed with Rita Rudner at Pine Knob Music Theatre in 1993 and solo in 2014, at the Ryman Auditorium).
I had the good fortune of watching Bill Murray perform (he was hilarious) and spend time afterward chatting with him at a local bar. Privately, he was very different than the jovial guy on stage; he seemed deeply down and depressed, and it was clear that his humor came from a very dark place. Sadly, this was not surprising to me at all. If you've seen the movie Lost In Translation ... that is the real Bill Murray.
Yes, I've seen Bill Cosby twice; once at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 29, 1992, at the height of his popularity (after he had just wrapped his smash-hit television comedy The Cosby Show) ... and again at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida on January 16, 2011, after he'd been given countless awards and honors for his work. His life has since become a pathetic tragedy, but his performances during those days were outstanding.
66. GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
February 25, 2023
"50th Anniversary of American Band Tour"
Center of Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island, Florida
For fifty years, as a fan of Grand Funk Railroad, the sound of the iconic drum and cowbell introduction to We’re An American Band echoed frequently in my mind. It was one of the epochal sounds of 1970s classic rock. On a gorgeous February Florida night at the Center of Anna Maria Island, I was about to see and hear it live. The outdoor concert was held on the soccer field behind the center, from a small portable stage platform on wheels (try to imagine a gig at your local county fair). It was a complete sell-out, with fifty feet of liquor concession tables and a portable toilet trailer set up in the back. Everyone had to bring their own folding chairs.
Two of our seats were within arm's reach of the stage. Two other seats (purchased for our friends at the last minute) were thirty yards back. Craig and Tom sat up front, as their wives did not want to get blasted by the wall of speakers sitting five feet away and directly facing the seats. Ear plugs were mandatory. Even then, we could feel the bass reverberating through us.
Craig struck up a conversation with the band’s seventy-something year-old roadie during the soundcheck. He had been traveling with the band for twenty-seven years and lived in Traverse City. He was a good-old boy and promised to give us one of the stage setlists ... then he laughed and pointed out that the setlist had not changed in twenty-seven years.
From our seats, we could see the band milling around to the side of the trailer while an announcer introduced them. The five septuagenarians stepped onto the stage. Don Brewer and Mel Schacher were two of the original three members of the group from the 1970s. Bruce Kulick had been GFR’s lead guitarist for two decades, after playing a dozen years with Kiss. Keyboardist Tim Cashion had toured extensively with Robert Palmer and Bob Seger. Former lead singer of .38 Special, Max Carl, was the band’s co-lead singer (along with Brewer). In a way, it seemed like a version of Don Brewer’s 'All Starr' Band.
When the band opened with Rock and Roll Soul, a handful of fans squeezed in front of us and began dancing like it was Woodstock, requiring us to elbow past them for a view. There was no security anywhere, and we were literally leaning on the stage for much of the show. I don’t think I had ever been more ‘on-stage’ doing a performance than this concert. We took more than four hundred pictures and tons of video footage. I wedged myself between the keyboard and the stage monitors and fired away with my camera. The guys seemed to relish the excitement, all of them smiling and having a ball (except maybe Mel).
For ninety minutes, these old dudes played fourteen songs, encompassing nearly all of their hits. Max even performed Second Chance from his repertoire of .38 Special songs. It had been a long ride for Grand Funk Railroad in fifty years, from a sold out Shea Stadium to a sold out Center of Anna Maria Island. When Brewer started pounding on his cowbell to close the concert with We’re An American Band, the crowd was on its feet and “helped them party it down” just like the old days.
We're An American Band ... shot from the stage!!
The roadie didn't let us down. Craig got the setlist.
65. PAUL WILLIAMS
"Paul Williams - Songwriter"
September 12, 2015
Franklin Theatre
Franklin, Tennessee
SETLIST:
An Old Fashioned Love Song (Three Dog Night)
I Won't Last A Day Without You (Carpenters)
You Give A Little Love (Bugsy Malone Soundtrack)
Evergreen (A Star Is Born Soundtrack)
The Love Boat (Television Show)
Smokey and The Bandit (Monologue)
Nice To Be Around
Old Souls (Phantom of the Paradise Soundtrack)
Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye (Phantom of the Paradise Soundtrack)
Rainy Days And Mondays (Carpenters)
Out In The Country (Three Dog Night)
Sobriety And Still Alive (Monologue)
Still Alive
Writing With John Vezner (Monologue)
You're Gone (Diamond Rio)
Family Of Man (Three Dog Night)
Waking Up Alone
Working With Daft Punk (Monologue)
Touch (Daft Punk)
You And Me Against The World (Helen Reddy)
Sammy Cahn, Mark Volman, and Joining ASCAP (Monologue)
We've Only Just Begun (Carpenters)
Rainbow Connection (The Muppet Movie Soundtrack)
Tell Her She Reminds Me Of A Friend
September 12, 2015Franklin Theatre
Franklin, Tennessee
The Franklin Theatre, with a small capacity of 322 seats, was the perfect venue for diminutive singer/songwriter/actor Paul Williams. The experience was a charming and intimate interchange between a grateful man and an appreciative audience, who came to honor him for the exceptional music he created.
Nobody expected a vocal tour-de-force when Williams bounced onto the stage with the opening lines of Old Fashioned Love Song, however, with his ear-buds malfunctioning, he was significantly off-key. His accomplished band helped him keep him on the rails, as they did most of the night, with outstanding accompaniment and vocals.
For a guy one week shy of his 75th birthday, he exuded remarkable vitality as he energetically performed blockbusters such as Evergreen and The Love Boat.
As hoped, on several occasions, Williams stopped to recount his personal experiences and several of the funniest were of his role as Little Enos Burette in Smokey and the Bandit. He said that his friend Billy Bob Thornton once told him that, in the South, people think that Smokey and the Bandit is a documentary. He also described how he and Pat McCormick (Big Enos Burette) had become very good friends and both were stepping out of a bar one night. The six foot five inch McCormick stopped and blurted to Williams, "You look like an aerial photograph of a human being."
Williams also talked about making music. He said that both his favorite lyric and his least favorite lyric were in the same song, Rainy Days and Mondays. His favorite is "What I've got they used to call the blues" and his least ... "Hangin' around, nothing to do but frown." He talked about writing with John Williams, Ken Ascher, and Roger Nichols. He talked about working with Barbra Streisand, Karen Carpenter, and how he shared a Grammy for Album of the Year in 2014, writing for Daft Punk.
He spoke openly about his faith and how staying sober for the past 25 years changed his life. He credits his recovery for the resurgence he enjoys today.
Near the conclusion of his show, he stopped to talk about his involvement in ASCAP. In the early 1970s, Sammy Cahn dragged Paul to ASCAP and forced him to sign up. In 2009, in what he considers his greatest honor, Williams was elected President and Chairman of ASCAP. He then introduced Mark Volman, who was sitting in the audience, and acknowledged Volman's fight to expand songwriter copyrights, to thunderous audience applause.
In the end, Paul Williams' vocal prowess did not seem to matter, because what we heard all night were the Carpenters, Three Dog Night, and Kermit the Frog ... giving voice to his songwriting genius. The brilliance of his songs seemed to stand on its own, regardless of who was singing them. All that mattered to the very appreciative audience was that they could thank the man who created them in person.
SETLIST:
An Old Fashioned Love Song (Three Dog Night)
I Won't Last A Day Without You (Carpenters)
You Give A Little Love (Bugsy Malone Soundtrack)
Evergreen (A Star Is Born Soundtrack)
The Love Boat (Television Show)
Smokey and The Bandit (Monologue)
Nice To Be Around
Old Souls (Phantom of the Paradise Soundtrack)
Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye (Phantom of the Paradise Soundtrack)
Rainy Days And Mondays (Carpenters)
Out In The Country (Three Dog Night)
Sobriety And Still Alive (Monologue)
Still Alive
Writing With John Vezner (Monologue)
You're Gone (Diamond Rio)
Family Of Man (Three Dog Night)
Waking Up Alone
Working With Daft Punk (Monologue)
Touch (Daft Punk)
You And Me Against The World (Helen Reddy)
Sammy Cahn, Mark Volman, and Joining ASCAP (Monologue)
We've Only Just Begun (Carpenters)
Rainbow Connection (The Muppet Movie Soundtrack)
Tell Her She Reminds Me Of A Friend
64. THE MONKEES
"A Midsummer Night With The Monkees Tour"
July 24, 2013
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
SETLIST:
Last Train To Clarksville
Papa Gene's Blues
Your Auntie Grizelda
The Kind Of Girl I Could Love
She
Sweet Young Thing
I'm A Believer
(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone
You Told Me
Sunny Girlfriend
You Just May Be The One
Mary Mary
The Girl I Knew Somewhere
Early Morning Blues And Greens
Randy Scouse Git
For Pete's Sake
No Time
Words
Daily Nightly
Tapioca Tundra
Goin' Down
Porpoise Song
Can You Dig It?
Circle Sky
As We Go Along
Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?
Daydream Believer
What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round?
Listen To The Band
Pleasant Valley Sunday
July 24, 2013
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
The Ryman Auditorium is one of the best concert venues in the country and has provided us with many opportunities to see some great shows. When the Monkees were scheduled to play there, we immediately bought tickets. The group had been in the news as Davy Jones had suddenly died of a heart attack the year before. We weren't sure how they would accommodate such a loss. As we waited for the concert to begin, a large screen was showing outtakes from the classic Monkees television show. Davy was featured prominently in the clips.
When the high-spirited trio of Peter, Michael, and Micky opened with Last Train To Clarksville the crowd went wild. It didn't stop for two hours. Every song jogged a memory for most of the people in the audience, from the beginning to their big finish ... Pleasant Valley Sunday.
The Monkees at the Ryman Auditorium ...
SETLIST:
Last Train To Clarksville
Papa Gene's Blues
Your Auntie Grizelda
The Kind Of Girl I Could Love
She
Sweet Young Thing
I'm A Believer
(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone
You Told Me
Sunny Girlfriend
You Just May Be The One
Mary Mary
The Girl I Knew Somewhere
Early Morning Blues And Greens
Randy Scouse Git
For Pete's Sake
No Time
Words
Daily Nightly
Tapioca Tundra
Goin' Down
Porpoise Song
Can You Dig It?
Circle Sky
As We Go Along
Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?
Daydream Believer
What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round?
Listen To The Band
Pleasant Valley Sunday
63. THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
"Livin' On The Fault Line Tour"
July 16, 1977
Wings Stadium
Kalamazoo, Michigan
This concert was memorable for several reasons. I was spending the summer in the Battle Creek area with my grandparents. My parents suggested that I take the daughter of friends of theirs to the concert. Her name was Julie. Her dad was the local bank president. I was sixteen and fairly naive (didn't even know what a doobie was). She had been around the track a few times. I invited her to the concert. She accepted. We went. At the gig, she ran off with her friends. I wandered around looking for her, until I realized how good the band was. I stopped and watched ... and became a Doobie Brothers fan for the rest of my life!
I have seen the Doobies probably a half-dozen times since. Never saw Julie again.
The Doobie Brothers at Wings Stadium - July 16, 1077
SETLIST:
China Grove
Takin' It To The Streets
Sweet Maxine
It Keeps You Runnin'
For Someone Special
I Cheat The Hangman
You're Made That Way
Eyes Of Silver
Livin' On The Fault Line
Little Darlin'
Neal's Fandango
Chinatown
Long Train Runnin'
Echoes Of Love
Don't Start Me Talkin'
Take Me In Your Arms
Jesus Is Alright
Road Angel
Listen To The Music
62. HERB ALPERT
August 22, 1984
Blossom Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
"Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass & Other Delights Tour"
February 12, 2025
Van Wezel Perfoming Arts Hall
Sarasota, Florida
Herb Alpert's contribution to music is incalculable. Born in Los Angeles to Jewish immigrants, he was an accomplished gymnast in high school (his specialty was the rings). In his senior year, an emergency appendectomy sidelined him and he turned his focus to the trumpet. Throughout his time in college and the military he continued to pursue a career in music. Alpert’s inspiration for his iconic trumpet sound came from guitarist Les Paul’s use of multi-track guitars on his recordings. Alpert’s debut album The Lonely Bull was produced with his own layered multi-tracked trumpets throughout, which prompted the need to create the fictitious band name The Tijuana Brass. All of his subsequent releases were recorded with the legendary session musicians, The Wrecking Crew.
By popular demand, Alpert rounded up an ensemble of musicians and toured relentlessly until 1969. Then, while in the midst of a personal crisis, he disbanded the Tijuana Brass and stopped performing in public. He lost the ability to play his instrument and sought out Carmine Caruso (a respected trumpet teacher who never played trumpet a day in his life). Alpert eventually recovered and reached a second peak with jazz hits Rise and Route 101 in 1979. We saw Alpert twice, in 1984 and 2025 (forty-one years apart).
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The first of those was when he played the Blossom Music Center in the summer of 1984 with a new band (including four original members of TJB) in support of his Bullish album. I remember it was one of the most pleasant summer evenings for a concert that Tam and I ever experienced. The band was in great form ... the mood was right ... the sound was right. I never felt as suave and debonair as I did on that night.
One of his backing musicians was a young guitarist/keyboardist named Romeo Blue. His real name was Lenny Kravitz.
Herb Alpert 1984 Soul Train Performance
Introducing Romeo Blue (Lenny Kravitz)
In the middle of the show Alpert brought out a large mural 'speed painter' who used his bare hands - smearing and throwing paint - to make a portrait of Alpert, while he played Fandango. Both the painting and the musical performance were outstanding renderings. Afterward, Alpert gave the painting to a lucky fan in the audience.
The performance was excellent, but I was surprised, and slightly disappointed, that he played almost none of his big 1960s hits. I think most there felt the same way.
Herb Alpert at Blossom Music Center 1984
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Four decades later, Alpert announced that he was reforming the Tijuana Brass and launching a tour throughout 2025. It was promoted as a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ and ‘playing all of your favorite Tijuana Brass songs.’ He scheduled the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for February 12. It would be his second stop on the tour. We jumped at the chance to be there.
We were chuffed to see these classic TJB treasures performed live, finally. Even if Herb was pushing ninety years old, we figured the band would pick it up (if needed) and keep it fun.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Tour 2025 Promo Video
The 1,741-seat venue sold out instantly. Our seats were in the fifth row, a perfect spot to watch the band. The stage was covered with all types of brass, percussion, marimbas, and keyboards. At 7:40 pm, the six member ensemble took their seats while a video of Alpert's hilarious 1967 appearance on What's My Line played on the rear screen.
Then the band struck up the opening notes to The Lonely Bull while Herb danced toward center stage to a huge ovation. The band segued into The Work Song and Memories Of Madrid before Alpert took his seat and welcomed all of us. He said the evening would be very informal and he invited the audience to shout requests or questions out to him. This they did, all at once. He was unable to respond to it all, but gave it his best shot. He apologized for not being able to stand up all night. The octegenarians in the auditorium totally understood.
There were several poignant moments during the performance, one of which was singing This Guy's In Love With You. Another was during his introduction of his wife Lani Hall to sing a trio of Sergio Mendes numbers. He broke down and wept, describing how essential she was to fulfilling his life.
His bittersweet rendering of Smile was even more laden with emotion as photos of his late friends (Karen Carpenter, Burt Bacharach, Sergio Mendes, and Jerry Moss) were displayed on the screen behind him.
Alpert's stamina was remarkable as he led the band through a spectacular finale of uptempo hits (A Taste Of Honey, Zorba The Greek, What Now My Love, and Tijuana Taxi) that drove the audience to its feet for two encores. The final encore Sunny Side Of The Street had definitely not been rehearsed, and it took the band three tries to get through it. The subtle reactions between Alpert and his band were heartwarming. It was the perfect ending.
Herb Alpert's amazing legacy had already been cemented decades ago. The fact that he was still performing his inspiring music for the public into his 90s tells you everything about his love for music and the people who appreciate it.
SETLIST:
The Lonely Bull
The Work Song
Memories Of Madrid
Whipped Cream
Spanish Flea
A banda
Ladyfingers
Lollipops And Roses
Bittersweet Samba
Mexican Shuffle
Tangerine
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Love Potion #9
This Guy's In Love With You
One Note Samba (with Lani Hall)
The Fool On The Hill (with Lani Hall)
Mas Que Nada (with Lani Hall)
Rise
A Taste Of Honey
Zorba The Greek
Smile
What Now My Love
Tijuana Taxi
A banda (Reprise)
Sunny Side Of The Street (Encore)
61. FOREIGNER / NIGHT RANGER
"Farewell Tour 2024"
March 10, 2024
Coffee Butler Amphitheater
Key West, Florida
"Foreigner 4 (With Lou Gramm)"
April 19, 2026
Hertz Arena
Estero, Florida
Foreigner had been in the news as of late. Finally, the band had been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was one of the leaders in the popular vote.
One critic, who had never been impressed with the band, explained his decision not to vote Foreigner into the Rock Hall. He said that Foreigner was anonymous, and not a ground-breaking band; instead he back-handedly called it a “brand.” His words were intended to be derisive, but he was unwittingly correct ... Foreigner’s music had become so ubiquitous, and the music so iconic, that it demanded such recognition.
Two Rock Hall Of Fame Voters Give Their Opinions ...
Despite the handful of ridiculously elitist music critics, a groundswell of popular support was building for Foreigner, including an Instagram video by Paul McCartney …
The group was also in the midst of its farewell tour, and the Coffee Butler Amphitheater was supposed to be the band’s final outdoor concert. So we bought four great seats and made the long trek to Key West.
Two days before the gig, Foreigner announced it was extending its farewell tour through the summer, playing with Styx, and then a final Vegas residency in November. It had become another of those never-ending rock and roll farewell tours!!
The venue was relatively new, located near the Key West yacht basin, along the waterfront. Most of it's four thousand capacity was on the lawn, but our seats were folding chairs seven rows from the stage. A hot and humid day had been chased away by a cold front early in the afternoon. By the time the concert started, it had become overcast and blustery with winds popping twenty to thirty miles per hour.
As Foreigner took the stage, a light rain was spitting horizontally. The on-stage smoke machines were worthless as the fog instantly dissipated across the floor.
It was apparent to everyone from the outset that co-founder and guitarist Mick Jones, the last remaining original member of the band, was not there. I searched the internet on my cellphone. Sadly, only seven days prior to the show, Jones announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and had quietly withdrawn from the tour.
Mick Jones Reveals Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
The most senior performer on stage was Kelly Hansen, the guy who replaced singer Lou Gramm in 2005. The rest of the band, although not original (Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, and Chris Frazier), were longtime Foreigner veterans, having played together as Foreigner for the past fourteen years.
The band members may have been anonymous by name, but they rocked the hits as hard as anyone. In fact, I am not sure if I’ve ever attended a gig with more million-sellers played back to back; Head Games, Double Vision, Cold As Ice, Waiting For A Girl Like You, Blue Morning … there wasn't a dud in the nearly two-hour setlist.
It was Foreigner, playing their endless array of hits like they owned them, and the crowd cheered every minute of it!!
Stage-used setlist
Foreigner at Coffee Butler Amphitheater
March 10, 2024
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Two years later, after Foreigner’s spectacular Key West concert, we saw them again at the Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. Foreigner was returning for one more ‘farewell’ tour, and were kicking it up a notch by featuring original singer Lou Gramm.
Opening for Foreigner was Night Ranger, a mid-level 80s power rock band with a handful of mid-level hits. Their performance was an exact throwback to the arena rock shows of yore. Lots of flash, fancy leather, headbands, Kramer guitars, smoke machine, and high-energy sprinting from one side of the stage to the other.
Then, just as you were beginning to think you were watching Spinal Tap 3, lead singer Jack Blades would toss out High Enough from his days with Damn Yankees (cowritten by Tommy Shaw and Ted Nugent) and redeem himself. They finished with three semi-memorable tunes; When You Close Your Eyes, Don’t Tell Me You Love Me, and the big closer, Sister Christian. Actually it was a fairly strong forty-five minutes.
At 8:34 pm, Foreigner took the stage and opened with two innocuous songs from their album Foreigner 4. They would play the LP in its entirety.
Fronting the band was new vocalist Luis Maldonado, replacing Kelly Hanson. Hanson retired at the end of their first farewell tour in late 2025. He had been lead singer for twenty years (replacing Lou Gramm).
Maldonado had been a multi-instrumentalist with the band since 2021. As lead singer, he sounded excellent, but tended to run around the stage like he was in Night Ranger. The band still sounded superb and the drummer (Chris Frazier) was in great form.
Six songs into the program, Maldonado introduced Lou Gramm to raucous cheering. Gramm slowly shuffled out to center stage in a disheveled black sportcoat and sang four songs. From a distance, I couldn't decide whether he looked more like Sam Kinison or Van Morrison. He sounded okay but he never moved an inch as he sang. Suddenly, the idea of running around the stage seemed exciting.
Gramm also sang and played cowbell during the two encores, I Don’t Want To Live Without You and Hot Blooded. I got the feeling that many people there watched him perform and mentally noted … ‘Lou Gramm, check’.
So half the night was Foreigner Tribute Band and the other half was Foreigner Revisited. Which was better? Hard to tell. Neither was as incredible as the night in Key West.
NIGHT RANGER SETLIST:
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Sing Me Away
Coming Of Age
The Secret Of My Success
Night Ranger
High Enough
When You Close Your Eyes
Don't Tell Me You Love Me
Sister Christian
FOREIGNER SETLIST:
Night Life
Woman In Black
Cold As Ice
Waiting For A Girl Like You
I'm Gonna Win
Don't Let Go
Luanne
Girl On The Moon
Urgent
Break It Up
Feels Like The First Time
Juke Box Hero
I Don't Want To Live Without You
Hot Blooded