Night Ranger, Foreigner and Journey? And all together? Hellz yeah they were! Last night, these three "ready to rock" bands appeared at the Comfort Dental Amphitheatre and reminded us all just how awesome their music still is. The smell of hairspray and leather pants was in the air, and even if their audience's hair was more gray than not, Night Ranger still came ready to party. Its opening number "Lay It On Me" got the already-stirring crowd riled up. The teeny-tiny lead singer and the rest of the band were definitely still living in the '80s, with their shaggy dos and tongue flicking antics, but they put on a solid rock show. And the band didn't stray from its hits, including "Sing Me Away," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and their signature "Sister Christian." The anticipation for Foreigner could be felt in the crowd as Night Ranger exited the stage after the patriotic performance of "(You Can Still) Rock In America." Seriously. Equipped with matching American flag guitars.
Foreigner was absolutely no let down. They opened with "Double Vision" to get the crowd psyched and then lead right in to "Head Games." This band could do no wrong. Even when Kelly Hansen, lead singer, stumbled and fell into the crowd, the audience continued to cheer him on right into "Waiting For a Girl Like You."
Photos: Journey, Night Ranger and Foreigner in Denver
If you were expecting the typical '80s pyrotechnics, this was definitely not the show for you (there were more fireworks in the Taylor Swift show earlier this week), but even the cheesy '80s 8-bit animation that played behind the band's classic "Jukebox Hero" seemed to get the crowd excited. We've never seen so many drunken, middle-aged women thrusting their pelvises to a song more than "Hot Blooded," and the eternal awesomeness that is "I Want to Know What Love Is" had everyone crooning along. Kudos, Foreigner. Well done.
By the time Journey took the stage, some of the audience had already left to pay babysitters...but more the fools, they. Because Journey rocked it hard. Fine, it sort of sucks that there was no Steve Perry, but that disappointment quickly drifted away once Arnel Pineda, in his wicked tight white jeans, took the stage and performed "Separate Ways."
We even forgive Pineda for sporting a Tebow jersey through a couple songs -- but really, leave the sports-politics out of it. With the exception of one new song, Journey sang most of its standards: "Wheel in The Sky," "Who's Crying Now," "Open Arms," "Lights," and "Faithfully." And, of course, they closed the show with fan-favorite "Don't Stop Believing." which has to have one of the best, most recognized openings in the history of rock-and-roll and karaoke bars all over the world.It was a rowdy, fun concert that even people who didn't know who in the hell these bands were would've enjoyed.
Photos: Journey, Night Ranger and Foreigner in Denver
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