Two classic groups rock the Utah First Amp stage
Jun 27, 2024 03:00PM ● By Tom Haraldsen
Two legendary bands joined forces at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater Wednesday night, bringing a great evening of classic rock to the stage.
Foreigner and Styx put on most of a three-plus hour show to a sellout crowd who had seen both of these bands perform together before. In fact, long-time Foreigner band member Tom Gimbel, who is now retired, told me the bands often team up and alternate between which band goes on first on a tour. They played together in the West Valley venue several years ago.
It didn’t matter at Utah First Amp, as opening act John Waite set the table for the dual entree.
Foreigner shot out of the gate immediately with four of its biggest hits: “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Cold as Ice” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.”
Lead singer Kelly Hansen and all six British-American rockers had the crowd singing, dancing and totally engaged. He “jokingly” asked if there were any “nasty girls” in the audience as a lead-in to “Dirty White Boys,” then the band segued into “Feels Like the First Time.”
Lead singer Kelly Hansen and all six British-American rockers had the crowd singing, dancing and totally engaged. He “jokingly” asked if there were any “nasty girls” in the audience as a lead-in to “Dirty White Boys,” then the band segued into “Feels Like the First Time.”
One amazing moment of the band’s opening set came when Hansen, who had left the stage during “Urgent,” suddenly appeared on a high stand that rose from behind the master control booth in the audience to sing “Juke Box Hero.” Once back down on Earth, he dashed through the audience and returned to the stage.
That concluded the first set, but percussionist Lou Graham and guitarist Mick Jones, founders of the group in 1976, came back with Bruce Watson, Rick Wills, Ed Gagliardi and Hansen for a two-song encore. They started with “I Want to Know What Love Is” and finished with “Hot Blooded.”
That concluded the first set, but percussionist Lou Graham and guitarist Mick Jones, founders of the group in 1976, came back with Bruce Watson, Rick Wills, Ed Gagliardi and Hansen for a two-song encore. They started with “I Want to Know What Love Is” and finished with “Hot Blooded.”
Moments later, after a rapid stage change, Styx started its set with “The Grand Illusion,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and the ever-popular “Lady.” The band, which formed in 1972 and held one of its first performances ever at, believe it or not, the football field at Provo High School, is still led by original lead singer James “JY” Young.
Vocals were shared between Tommy Shaw, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan and Ricky Phillips, and drummer Todd Sucherman showed why he is considered one of the best in business.
Vocals were shared between Tommy Shaw, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan and Ricky Phillips, and drummer Todd Sucherman showed why he is considered one of the best in business.
Styx concluded its 11-song first set with “Come Sail Away,” then returned for an encore of “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade.”
Waite opened with an eight-song set, including “Midnight Rendezvous,” “Head First” and “Back On My Feet Again” from The Babys, his hits “When I See You Smile” and “Missing You,” and concluding with a great medley of “A Whole Lot of Love” and “Let Me Love You Baby.”
Though this is being billed as a Farewell Tour for both groups, Foreigner’s Hansen said it doesn’t mean a permanent goodbye, just a slowing down from tour schedules. Neither group looked like it was slowing down on Wednesday.
The tour continues this week in Anaheim before heading to the Midwest and the South later this summer.
