From Boston, MA - what is this, the 5th biggest city in America?
BOSTON – On a night that recently graduated Brockton High School senior Mickey Jones termed “a life-changing experience,” the BHS Concert Choir joined Foreigner for a rousing version of the rock band’s biggest hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston on Thursday night.
Delivered during the septet’s encore segment, the iconic tune began with just the band playing, but then the BHS Concert Choir, in their matching red T-shirts, came out and stood behind the rockers on the upper level of their stage. As that familiar chorus rang out through the night, and lead singer Kelly Hansen’s vocals soared to passionate heights, the choir joined in to provide a spine-tingling moment, so much so that most of the crowd of 4,000 joined in. As the 1984 hit wound down, bassist Jeff Pilson invited a BHS singer down to strum the last few notes on his bass, as Hansen climbed to the upper level with the kids. The 80 percent full arena erupted in a standing ovation after that, and as Hansen introduced the choir the cheers seemed to get louder. “You guys really brought it tonight!” Hansen said as he shook hands with every member.
Foreigner’s 80-minute set included plenty of the band’s biggest hits and ample proof of how the band has sold more than 80 million albums since its 1977 debut. After a blistering opening run through “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Cold As Ice” and “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” the band brought out founding member Mick Jones, who had been sidelined in recent years after bypass surgery.
Mick Jones appeared to be in fine form, as he led the septet through chestnuts like “Feels Like the First Time” and “Urgent” and then played a dazzling “Star Rider” from the band’s first album, as blue lights and lasers flashed overhead. The soaring “Jukebox Hero” was a rockin’ romp, ending the regular set. The encores peaked with the BHS choir’s big moment, and Foreigner sent the crowd home with a pulsating charge through “Hot Blooded.”
Styx did a 70-minute set that proved guitarist Tommy Shaw is still an electrifying force, while singer/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan’s energy level was as wild as his rotating keyboard. “Foolin’ Yourself” was a majestic bit of prog-rock with dual keyboards, while the power ballad “Lady” really showcased Gowan’s vocals. Styx earned a two-song encore themselves, ending the night with the driving rocker “Renegade.”
Some of the evening’s biggest ovations went to Don Felder, the guitarist/singer/songwriter who was part of the Eagles during all their glory days. Felder’s 50-minute set included some of the Eagles’ best, and a couple of his solo tunes. Everyone in Felder’s quintet sings, so Eagles classics like “Already Gone” and “One of These Nights” featured superb vocal harmonies. Felder himself is a very capable lead vocalist, as shown on his new song “You Don’t Have Me,” which actually rocked a little harder than the Eagles usually did. An acoustic-centered “Seven Bridges Road” was a wonderful piece of vocal harmony, and the harmonies on “Gonna Be A Heartache Tonight” got the whole tent singing along.
Felder’s set ended with a mind-boggling turn through “Hotel California,” as he played the unforgettable guitar parts on his double-necked (12 and six-strings) guitar, and Tommy Shaw came out to trade solos, and vocals with him. It was an indelible moment, nearly three hours before the BHS choir provided another unforgettable musical memory.