(UPDATED 6/2/2022) Description and review of the recent Foreigner concert at the Ironstone Amphitheatre located in Murphys, California.
Two friends and I recently attended the Foreigner concert at the Ironstone Amphitheatre. The opening acts were Queensryche and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening.
See related blog post: Ironstone Amphitheatre Concert Venue
Queensryche
The opening act was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the MC came out on the dot to introduce Queensryche which then took to the stage.
A bit of background – Queensryche is an American heavy metal band. The band formed in 1980 in Washington State and has been touring and recording ever since.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
I was not familiar with Queensryche prior to seeing them that evening. While some in the audience seemed appreciative, my friends and I did not particularly enjoy Queensryche. The volume was loud to the point of being painful, and I was afraid that I would develop a headache that would ruin the rest of the evening.
The lead singer did not sing – instead he screamed at the top of his lungs throughout the show. I was amazed that when he spoke to the crowd, introducing songs, that he had any voice left.
Apparently my years of attending rock concerts have not ruined my hearing. It came as a physical relief when the band finished its set and exited the stage.
As an aside – When my daughter called me after I returned to Sacramento she asked about my trip. Among other things I told about the concert. When I told her about seeing Queensryche and my reaction – she cracked up. She was familiar with the band, and was laughing so hard she could not stop. After our conversation resumed she was still chuckling. My guess, knowing her, is that she cracked up again after we hung up thinking of her mother at a Queensryche concert.
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
A bit of background – Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in 1968. The band’s style drew from a number of styles – including blues, psychedelia, and folk music. The band’s sound is often cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal.
Led Zeppelin Evening is a Led Zeppelin tribute band with a very personal connection. Led Zeppelin Evening was formed by Jason Bonham, the son of John Bonham the original Led Zeppelin drummer, about eight years ago.
Jason spoke of his father – relating that as a child John Bonham was simply “Dad”, and he did not know or appreciate how great he was – and then it was too late. His father died in 1980 at the age of 32 after a night of binge drinking. Before he died his father started teaching Jason, at a very young age, to play the drums.
We all really enjoyed Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening. The lead singer and all the musicians were extremely talented performers. The band played all the Led Zeppelin greatest hits – each one of which I knew – ending with Stairway to Heaven. Jason interjected comments from time to time – adding to the enjoyment of the evening.
You can be sure that I will be keeping my eye out for any upcoming Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening concerts in the vicinity.
Foreigner – Juke Box Hero Tour
A bit of background – Foreigner is an American-British rock band originally formed in New York City in 1976. Mick Jones (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), the only remaining original member of the band, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Foreigner took to the stage – and the crowd was ready. It was announced that Foreigner was celebrating its 40th Anniversary – a landmark to be sure.
The band played one song after another including:
- I Want to Know What Love Is
- Waiting For a Girl Like You
- Urgent
- Cold as Ice
- Double Vision
- Feels Like the First Time
- Head Games
- Juke Box Hero
- Dirty White Boy
The band did not disappoint. The lead singer was great, the musicians were all masters of their instruments, and they put on a great show.
We all know that band members come and go over the years – it is only natural. However, the absence of Mick Jones from the stage that evening raises the question – when does a band’s status devolve from it being “the” (fill in the blank) band into a tribute band? Based on research I conducted after the concert, it appears that although he is the driving force behind the band that Mick Jones often does not take to the stage.
What are your thoughts on this topic?
Updates
(6/2/2022) Broken link deleted.
Comments on Foreigner?
Did you attend the recent Foreigner concert at Ironstone Amphitheatre? Have you attended a previous Foreigner concert? What is your opinion on the (name) band vs. tribute band question?
Subscribe to SacramentoRevealed.com to receive the new and updated blog posts newsletter direct to your inbox! Comments are welcome.
Leave a Reply