“Pitch Perfect!” Foreigner’s “Then & Now” Tour LIVE! at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
By Spotlight Central. Photos by Love Imagery
Music lovers are excitedly waiting inside The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City’s stunning Etess Arena this Friday, October 4, 2019, for the start of a unique Doublevision: Then & Now concert presented by current and former members of the iconic band, Foreigner.
Exclaims Peg from Rio Grande, “Foreigner is my all-time #1 band! I grew up listening to them, and have seen them every year since 2012 in different venues, but I love seeing them here in Atlantic City the most.”
Continuing, “They always put on a great show — they never disappoint,” Peg explains, “When they did the Then and Now tour the last time, the older members did a set, the newer members did a set, and then both groups performed together, and they all put on one hell of a show!”
“It’s a shame that, due to illness, Foreigner’s original lead singer, Lou Gramm, is unable to perform tonight, but you know, your health comes first,” laments Peg before joking, “None of us are spring chickens anymore!”
Paul from Scranton PA concurs adding, “I’m disappointed, too, that Lou Gramm won’t be here this evening. We saw him perform in Ocean City, NJ, this summer and met him after the show — he’s such a nice guy — but I’m really happy to be seeing the rest of Foreigner. They’re such an iconic band, I’m looking forward to hearing both versions of the group with both the original and newer members.”
Before the show begins, we take a moment to chat with a teacher and several members of the Mainland Regional High School Show Choir, from Linwood, NJ, who have been invited to perform live on stage with Foreigner tonight.
Explains choir director, Amy Melson, “This is the third time our school’s Show Choir is performing with Foreigner. In order to be selected, we had to audition by sending an audio recording of our group to a local radio station, and we just found out a week ago that we were chosen to perform tonight.”
Adding, “This is a fantastic experience for the kids,” Melson notes, “Show Choir is all about expression and being part of a team, so getting a chance to perform with a group like Foreigner is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.”
Recalls Helene from Linwood, a three-year member of Show Choir, “This will be my second time performing with Foreigner. The first time I sang with them, one of the band members came over and gave me a guitar pick! It was so cool, I’m really excited to be here again!”
Likewise, Sophie, a senior from Linwood, reveals, “I got to perform at the last Foreigner concert, too. When I was up on stage with the group, I was invited to strum the bass while the bass player played it,” exclaiming, “Now that was really unique!”
Lastly, we chat with Rachel, a junior from Northfield, who tells us, “Not only did I just join the choir, but this is the first concert I’ve ever been to in my life!’
Adding, “I’m a little nervous — there are a lot of people here,” Rachel explains, “but we’re going to sing ‘I Want to Know What Love Is,’ and I really like that song, which makes this whole experience pretty cool!”
The house lights dim and white lights splash onto the audience as the current members of Foreigner — Kelly Hansen on vocals; Jeff Pilson on bass; Thom Gimbel on sax, guitar, and keyboards; Mike Bluestein on keyboards; Bruce Watson on guitar; and Chris Frazier on drums — take the stage.
Opening with their 1978 gold record, “Double Vision,” the group already has the crowd on its feet, not wanting to miss a thing. Heads bop to the rhythm as Hansen channels Mick Jagger, wearing a scarf and dancing with his mic stand as he croons, “Fill my eyes with that double vision/No disguise for that double vision.”
The audience moves in time as fog rises, and the band rocks while several fans in the audience play along on air drums.
The crowd explodes as dueling guitars and four-part harmonies highlight “Head Games” — a number which features a fast and furious guitar solo by Bruce Watson.
Members of the crowd punch the air as they happily sing out on the “Head games” refrain to a frenzy of sound and light while Jeff Pilson points to the sky as he energetically plays his bass.
Hansen punctuates his vocal with hand motions before Pilson throws picks out into to the crowd.
Hansen takes a moment to greet the audience saying, “Hello, Atlantic City, make some noise! Tonight is special. We’re going to play some things we don’t usually get to play. So, come on, New Jersey, let me hear you out there!”
The crowd goes crazy when they recognize the iconic intro to Foreigner’s 1977 Top 10 hit, “Cold as Ice.”
Singing, “You’re as cold as ice/You’re willing to sacrifice our love,” Hansen spins his microphone stand over his shoulder while the band rocks out to the rhythm.
Hansen conducts the audience as they happily sing along on the “Cold (cold) as (as) ice” interlude before leaping off the stage and into the audience, walking among them, and returning to the stage just in time to conclude the song.
The crowd roars, and the stage lights spin as the band segues into their 1981 power ballad, “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” a selection which was voted one of Billboard’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” On this crowd pleaser, the audience sings along on the famous “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life” chorus as Hansen hits all of the high notes with ease accompanied by Bruce Watson.
Couples slow dance to the irresistible groove coming from the stage on this ubiquitous love ballad, the music enveloping the audience like a big hug, before ending with rays of light pyramiding down on the band.
Hansen asks, “How about we do something you don’t usually hear?”
The crowds shouts their agreement and the musicians launch into “Headknocker.” After Hansen sings, “Headknocker, headknocker/You’re comin’ on strong, a real showstopper,” Bruce Watson rocks on lead guitar as Chris Frazier’s drums roll on.
Hansen’s voice rings out crying above the band as he emotes on the power ballad, “That Was Yesterday.” Accompanied by Thom Gimbel on keys, Jeff Pilson crosses the stage as he plays, leading a countermelody which is echoed by the band as Hansen sings the melody to audience cheers.
Current band members are introduced before Hansen welcomes to the stage “the leader, creator, producer of all the albums, member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and baron of bad-assery,” Foreigner founding member, Mick Jones.
Accompanied by keyboards and drums, Jones impresses as he plays a smoldering Carlos Santana-like guitar solo on the intro to Foreigner’s 1981 Top 10 hit, “Urgent.”
Strutting across the stage, saxophonist Thom Gimbel plays a bright and jazzy sax solo as Hansen flips his cowbell in the air. The crowd sings along on the catchy “You say it’s urgent/So urgent” chorus before smoke spews up from the sides of the stage on the conclusion.
The audience finally takes their seats as the mood shifts and they are treated to a drum, keyboard, and light show. Electronic sounds accompany the rhythmic beating of drums and a gong under multi-colored lights. The sound swirls as drummer Chris Frazier twirls his fluorescent drumsticks between drum rolls and the music dances.
Hansen returns to center stage and stands in the shadow of the spotlight as lights shoot onto the audience and the song morphs into “Juke Box Hero.”
With six-part vocals shining through, the group sings, “He’s a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes,” before Hansen does a call and response with the crowd, telling them to “Raise your hands up” and sing “Yeah!”
Jones solos masterfully, Jones and Thom Gimbel duet, and then Bruce Watson joins in as the three guitarists rock center stage before Jeff Pilson adds his instrument’s bass voice to the featured guitar interlude.
Hansen comes back in on vocals, bringing the lyrics to life for an extended ending which triggers cheers and applause as smoke spews and Hansen spins his mic stand extending it well into the front row.
“Thank you Atlantic City! Thank you New Jersey! Thank you Hard Rock!” exclaims Hansen as the crowd whistles and cheers for more as the band exits the stage.
“Did you think it was over — did you think we were finished with surprises?” inquires Hansen when he returns, adding, “This is very special for me — this is a rare and special occurrence!”
As Mick Jones retakes the stage, Hansen excitedly introduces the crowd to original Foreigner band members Rick Wills on bass, Al Greenwood on keyboards, and Ian McDonald on guitar, sax, and keyboards, exclaming, “These guys are the hands, feet, and fingers you heard on the records!”
At this point, the four original band members launch into Foreigner’s 1977 debut single, “Feels Like the First Time,” accompanied by current members Bruce Watson on guitar and Chris Frazier on drums.
As Al Greenwood plays keyboards center stage, Mick Jones plays his guitar stage right, Ian McDonald and Rick Wills play bass and guitar stage left, and Hansen sings center stage holding his mic stand, giving it everything he’s got.
The crowd claps overhead as lights flash — bringing everyone back to a time when they first experienced Foreigner — everyone singing along on the ubiquitous “It feels like the first time/Feels like the very first time” chorus of this feel-good anthem.
Exclaims Hansen, “Now we’re having fun!”
The group launches into the straight-ahead rocker, “Blue Morning.” Ian McDonald sings harmony with Hansen, having fun as the two dance together, before all four original members sing backup harmonies behind Hansen, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
McDonald says, “Do you feel as good as we do?” after which Jones says, “This next song is from the first album. It describes how we met up in New York and thought it would be a good lark to get together and try this — thank you for your support all these years.”
Here, the group performs “Long, Long Way from Home.”
With their big powerful sound, the original band excites the crowd as Ian McDonald wails and Hansen rocks out accompanied by a driving Mick Jones tremolo guitar solo.
Following excited cheers, the group breaks into the Foreigner song which Jones originally wrote about Elvis Presley — “Dirty White Boy.”
On this bluesy rocker, Jones shines on guitar, after which Hansen sings and struts around the stage as original members Jones, McDonald, and Wills play together center stage.
The audience happily echo-sings “Dirty white boy” along with Hansen while the band rocks.
The crowd roars before all of the members of Foreigner are invited to take the stage.
Hansen asks the audience members to put their arms around their neighbors saying, “Allow the groove to work its way under your skin and into your feet or fingers. If you can hear my voice, reach out and receive love.”
Continuing, “Thank you for the last 45 years — I want to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of everyone here on this stage,” Hansen asks, “Will you sing with us?”
Mick Jones’ keyboard intro permeates the arena and neon lights shift colors as Jones’ keyboard swirls.
Lights shine as the members of the Mainland Regional High School Show Choir take their places to join Foreigner in performing one of the band’s greatest hits — their 1984 #1 smash, “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
The smiling faces of the choir radiate love throughout the audience as their voices connect hearts through Foreigner’s music.
The audience experiences a touching moment singing “I want to know what love is/I want you to show me” along with the choir members before exploding with cheers and applause for an emotional performance.
“Make some noise for the choir!” exclaims Hansen. Declaring, “It’s beautiful to see your glorious faces!” Hansen asks the audience to support public music education stating, “Do your part to keep these creative dreams alive!”
Hansen thanks the choir, the youngsters bow and exit, and Hansen exclaims, “Excuse my French, but there’s no place like f***ing New Jersey! It’s really beautiful to be able to live your dreams!”
After Hansen declares, “I hear Mick Jones has got some itchy fingers!” Jones launches into a scintillating guitar solo as the band comes in with a bang on the group’s final number of the night — their 1978 Top 10 hit, “Hot Blooded.”
Rockin’ it old school, audience members dance at their seats to the talent coming from the stage. The entire band rocks out on the “I’m hot blooded/I’m hot blooded” chorus before all of the group’s guitarists jam center stage on this hard-driving song.
As band members toss picks and drumsticks out into the audience, Hansen says, “Thank you, Atlantic City! Thank you, New Jersey! Thank you, rock and roll! Goodnight!” as all of the members of Foreigner — old and new — stand together and take a well-earned bow to enthusiastic cheers.
As audience members make their way out of the Etess Arena, we chat with several members of the crowd who share their thoughts on tonight’s Then & Now concert with us.
Remarks Nancy from Sewell, “This was one terrific show — I’m so happy I got to see it! I’ve been a music fan since Woodstock. I used to listen to Foreigner’s music on cassette tapes, and it was worth the wait to see them live and in person.”
Janice from Stockton agrees adding, “I can’t even put my feelings into words. ‘Feels Like the First Time’ is my life — and I didn’t sit down once!”
Mary from Odenton MD recalls, “I’ve seen Foreigner five times but this was, by far, the best show I’ve ever seen. Foreigner is amazing! They need to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They’re fabulous — everyone was singing along in the audience!”
Her husband, Tom, concurs asserting, “You have to get their music and listen to to it loud — you just can’t listen to Foreigner soft!”
Reveals Matt from Westchester, PA, “This is my third time seeing them. The entire concert was great! I grew up with this music, and I really liked the combination of the old and the new members of Foreigner.”
Jeanine from Toms River agrees adding, “It was really great how they brought all of the original members back. They were all fantastic, and I especially liked the sax player.”
Dawn, a teacher from Toms River, comments, “I loved the shout-out Kelly Hansen made to keep public music education alive,” before joking, “I’m not sure I’d want to have him in my own classroom, however — he has way too much energy!”
Lastly, we chat with Doreen from Long Island, NY who recalls, “When I was in high school, Foreigner was so hot, I couldn’t even get a ticket to any of their shows. I waited all this time to see them live. The band is so phenomenal and so tight, and they have such high energy, I’d actually forgotten how many of their songs I’ve loved until hearing them again tonight.”
Continuing, “I loved seeing Foreigner here at the Etess Arena,” Doreen explains, “This is the best sounding venue I’ve been to — the music sounded as close to a studio sound as I’ve ever heard live. It made the trip from New York so worthwhile that, from now on, I’m coming to see all my concerts at Hard Rock,” before concluding, “For me, it was like being transported back to 1977. It was wonderful — pitch perfect!”
To learn more about Foreigner, please go to foreigneronline.com. For information on upcoming performances at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — including Bad Company on November 9, Sting on November 15, and The Doobie Brothers on November 22 — please click on hardrockhotels.com/atlantic-city.
