For all the Led Zeppelin fans, they were in for quite the treat. John Bonham’s son, Jason Bonham, was 1st to hit the stage Wednesday night at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Jason’s set list was all covers of his father’s band Led Zeppelin, that included:
- Immigrant Song
- Good Times Bad Times
- The Ocean
- Over the Hills and Far Away
- What Is and What Should Never Be
- Whole Lotta Love
- Rock and Roll
- Stairway to Heaven
During some of the songs, Jason would engage the crowd and do a live stream video, I have never seen anyone do this before. Jason does his dad proud from vocals, to the drums and is one hell of a showman.
All the Whitesnake and Foreigner fans took a trip back in time. These guys still rock like no time has passed. I may not have been born until the late 80’s, but I definitely felt like I was transported back. The consistency of both bands was very much alive that night.
Whitesnake started off their 40th anniversary with “Bad Boys” and kept the rock coming in perfect fashion. Their hour long set list included:
- Give Me All Your Love
- Love Ain’t No Stranger
- Slow An’ Easy
- Guitar Duel
- Crying in the Rain
- Drum Solo
- Is This Love
- Slide It In
- Here I Go Again
- Still of the Night
David Coverdale, Reb Beach, Joel Hoekstra, Michael Devin, Tommy Aldridge and Michele Luppi got the crowd pumped and ready for the rest of the evening. Vocals may have dropped a little, but it was definitely made up with the long hair whipping, attitude, and the sing a longs.
I would have to say that I was blown away when the guitar duel between Reb and Joel took place. The energy and charisma these two have are just phenomenal. The next best performance was the drum solo by Tommy, playing with sticks and then just using his bare hands. I truly wish that I could learn to play the drums like Tommy.
As if you weren’t already blown away by Whitesnake, Mick Jones put together a solid line up (Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson, Thom Gimbel, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson and Chris Frazier) for Foreigner. Jones founded the group, wrote many of the songs, and is still going strong today. He may be slowing down a bit, but damn he still has it.
Foreigner’s set list included:
- Long, Long Way From Home
- Double Vision
- Head Games
- Cold as Ice
- Waiting for a Girl Like You
- Dirty White Boy
- Feels like the First Time
- Urgent
- Starrider
- Juke Box Hero
Encore:
- I Want to Know What Love Is (With the Central High School Concert Choir)
- Hot Blooded
Nothing was more outstanding than the enthusiasm and energy that Hansen portrayed as he ran around the venue or performing Juke Box Hero from a raised platform in the middle of the crowd. The original line up probably isn’t getting back together, but I believe that these guys are just as amazing. Between the stage presence, charisma, and energy, you wouldn’t believe the ages of these guys. Hansen wanted to make sure that you were engaged and taken back to the 80’s. He asked the audience to close their eyes and dig deep into their memories, after doing this, I believe that the generation that grew up listening to Foreigner felt like teenagers all over again.
The most AMAZING part of the whole night, was when a local choir joined Foreigner on the stage. The Central High School Choir from Park Hills, Mo, joined in singing “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The fact that these students even knew who Foreigner was outstanding. This was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for these high school students and one that they will never forget.
Photo Galleries courtesy of Mick Lite
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening: https://www.micklite.com/Music/Jason-Bonhams-Led-Zeppelin-Evening-at-Hollywood-Casino-Amp/
Whitesnake: https://www.micklite.com/Music/Whitesnake-at-Hollywood-Casino-Amp-STL-71818/
Foreigner: https://www.micklite.com/Music/Foreigner-at-Hollywood-Casino-Amp-71818/
