Classic rock reigned supreme at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater last night. Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience opened and played tribute band versions of Led Zeppelin classics with a bald lead singer thankfully unable to replicate Robert Plant’s flowing locks. After Jason Bonham sat in for his father, the late great John Bonham, and played the one big Led Zep reunion show some years back, Bonham has taken the brand name on the road. If Jason was a Van Zant he would be singing lead for Lynyrd Skynyrd. JBLZE provided a nice short entree for what was to follow.

Cheap Trick just may be the hardest working band in rock and roll. Grandpa Rick Nielsen is still manically rocking on multiple guitars with his son Dazz replacing Bun E. Carlos on drums. Original members Tom Petersson and Robin Zander looked and sounded great. The band mixed up the set with old and new songs, finishing up with mega hits like “The Flame” but the highlight for me was Petersson’s take on the Velvet Underground classic “I’m Waiting For My Man”. Cheap Trick still rocks loud and hard: the greatest, most dependable arena opening act in the history of rock and roll.

There is only one original member left in Foreignor, Mivk Jones, and on stage with the Foreignor replacement players he looks like Johnny Knoxville in Bad Grandpa. He does not speak much and for good reason as he needed to be prodded to introduce his capable lead singer to the audience. Foreignor put on a full on 1980’s era arena extravaganza and played every song you could want to hear during their hour and a half hour set.

Mr.Jones took the microphone before the encores to announce that founding members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, and Ian McDonald would join the band and they played “Long, Long Way From Home”, I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded”. This is reportedly the first time the surviving members have played together since 1980 and it may be part of a campaign for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they celebrate the 40 the anniversary of the band. It was a special night for Foreignor fans and the reunion completed an overall entertaining evening of old time rock and roll.

Surrender 

Rock on!

GQ