Heyday decades ago
Rock of the aging: It's still a top draw
As Foreigner hits town, cover bands like Shell Shock crank up the classics at local clubs
By Cathalena E. Burch
cburch@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.18.2008
In the age of YouTube, iTunes, iPods and platinum-selling ringtones, it's hard to believe that decades-old rock bands such as Foreigner and Journey are selling out large theaters and small amphitheaters.
The phenomenon is especially noteworthy when you consider that many of the bands are skeletons of themselves: Original members often are lost among a rotating lineup that scarcely resembles the real deal. Sometimes a look-alike or sound-alike stand-in can fill the bill, but the bands remain mere tributes to their former arena-packing, record-selling selves.
Or are they more than that?
Journey hit the road over the summer with Filipino singer Arnel Pineda assuming lead vocals. Founding member Neal Schon had spotted Pineda on YouTube channeling ex-Journeyman Steve Perry in a fairly convincing fashion.
A flurry of media coverage introduced Pineda to the world, and a star was born. More important, the legendary band, whose string of monster ballads became the soundtrack for a generation, had regained its footing.
In March, Journey released its first studio album with Pineda. It sold an impressive 107,000 copies the first week out. Since then, the band has toured the country, selling out 20,000-seat arenas and smaller amphitheaters such as Casino del Sol's AVA in Tucson (capacity 5,000).
Casino del Sol CEO Wendell Long said the classic-rock concerts have been moneymakers in more ways than one. About half of the fans tend to stick around after the shows, eating, drinking and/or gambling at the casino.
"We've had a lot of success with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx and Boston. Huge, huge crowds," Long said. "I think a lot of it has to do with people reliving their youth. It brings back good memories and good times. These are the people that grew up listening to these classic rock bands."
Foreigner reunited four years ago with new lead singer Kelly Hansen replacing founding frontman Lou Gramm, who left in 2003 to pursue a solo career.
Hansen said he isn't trying to be Gramm or to fill his considerable shoes.
"I bring my own shoes," he joked last week during a daylong swing through Tucson to promote the band's concert Sunday at the Tucson Music Hall. "This is the current evolution of this band."
A number of rock bands whose heydays were a decade or two or three ago are enjoying similar success. Several of them, including Chicago, Styx, Boston, Def Leppard, Van Halen and Crosby Stills & Nash, have played sold-out concerts here in recent years.
In addition to drawing big crowds, they are inspiring a crop of homegrown classic-rock cover bands. Most of these local bands, including the ones profiled here, harbor no fantasies of finding larger-than-life fame. They just love making music.
"Once you've played in a band, it's hard to give up. You can't stop," said Jose Luis Toledo of Back for More, a quintet of veteran musicians whose playing days date to high school. "I think we'd be institutionalized or something if we didn't do this."
Thirty-one years after scoring its first big hit, Foreigner is still inspiring fans and fellow musicians. Whether or not it feels like the first time, Sunday's concert promises good vibes all around while raising money for a good cause: It's a benefit for La Paloma Family Services, a nearly 30-year-old agency that helps at-risk kids find their way.
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