August 28 2013 – On August 23rd the CNE Bandshell hosted a very special concert for classic rock fans. Lou Gramm the vocalist behind all the Foreigner hits was in town. The gig featured a set list of songs that have sold millions upon millions of records. From the initial Double Vision the tone was set that this would be a rocking affair and the Foreigner/Gramm fans were out in droves.
Gramm’s setlist consisted of all the hits from his old band but some solo work as well – his 2 singles from his 1987 debut solo album for example were both there tonight (Ready or Not and Midnight Blue). Gramm proved he still had that unique power in his voice and the familiar tone of Dirty White Boy and Urgent was present. The Lou Gramm band was tight and nailed every guitar and drum solo with excellent stride.
Gramm has a very interesting biography out called My Five Decades In Rock N’ Roll which details his drug addiction struggle and his brain tumor (and how he beat it). A true champ we were glad to see Gramm deliver such an excellent show (especially after we were disappointed watching “Foreigner” a couple of years ago).Overall this was an incredible show (for essentially free) and we hope that the CNE continues to support classic rock in their Bandshell shows. Great stuff!
The only complaint (quite major actually) we had about this show was that the CNE security would not let anyone stand up at the front of the stage and made people sit down on the benches further back. First of all I can’t imagine how much energy was robbed from Gramm and his band because of this, but secondly when we asked them why we cant stand the response was “because of the age of the people here we want everyone to be able to see”. Totally a lame decision and the person that made that call should really be questioned about it.
When Juke Box Hero kicked in though there was no holding back and everyone stormed to the front and the energy level was where it needed to be all night long. Gramm took it up a notch for Juke Box Hero and the encore Hot Blooded. The show was very short (70 minutes) but very enjoyable nonetheless.
(Free/All Right Now beginning)
Hot Blooded
