Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
This summer the Brotherhood of Rock Tour is making is way across the US with a trio of musical groups that have been part of the rock music scene for the past half-century. These musicians all began on the bottom of the musical ladder in the 1970s and ascended to the top during the 70s and into 80s. Although decades have past since the pinnacle of their careers, these musicians never left the music scene. Some have had changes in the bands they began their journey with; others have formed new bands or started solo careers. However, all have carried on performing, sharing their music with the adoring fans who began with them more than forty years ago, as well as those who’ve jumped on the bandwagon along the way. The three bands/artists that make up the Brotherhood of Rock Tour are Don Felder, the Kevin Cronin Band and Styx. While the tour is a “brotherhood” of rock bands, it’s not solely a brotherhood of musicians. Each tour stop brings together a brotherhood and sisterhood of thousands of devoted, enthusiastic fans who adore the music and revel in the memories from their yesteryears. On July 20th, the Brotherhood of Rock arrived at PNC Bank Arts Center. Although the scorching heat and insufferable humidity could’ve been a deterrent to remaining outdoors for four hours, nothing was going to stop these diehard fans, this brother/sisterhood, from filling the PNC Bank Art Center seats and lawn.
The evening opened with Don Felder. As with any opener, audience members were still arriving as Felder and his band took the stage. However, Felder is not just any “opening act.” As the lead guitarist of the Eagles from 1974 – 2001, Don Felder will always be inextricably tied to the legendary Eagles, one of the most successful musical groups in the 1970s in the United States and globally one of the best-selling musical artists. Additionally, having cowritten the band’s most famous and beloved song, “Hotel California,” as well as performing an incredible double-neck guitar jam with Joe Walsh during the number, Felder solidified himself in classic rock history. In the 24 years since Felder was a part of the Eagles he’s continued to write music, including 2012’s Road to Forever, 2019’s American Rock ’n’ Roll and his recently released album The Vault – Fifty Years Of Music, including previously unreleased material and newly recorded versions of songs demoed during the past five decades. In 2005 Felder began touring with his own band, the Don Felder Band. In addition to performing as a solo act, the band has also performed as part of big multi-band tours, including touring with Styx and Foreigner in 2014 and with Styx and REO Speedwagon in 2017. Eight years later, the Brotherhood of Rock and Roll Tour has reunited Don Felder with Styx and the Kevin Cronin Band (formerly of REO Speedwagon.)
Arriving onstage in crisp white jeans, a large silver chain hooked at the belt loop, a matching jacket adorned with multiple zippers, and a black t-shirt beneath, Felder presented with the cool, slick vibe of a rocker decades his junior. To the thrill of the crowd, Felder and his band, including guitarist Ben Mauro, bassist Derek Frank and drummer Seth Rausch, performed a 40-minute set that included classic Eagles hits, as well as “Hollywood Victim,” from Felder’s new album, as well as “Heavy Metal (Takin’ a Ride)” written by Felder for the 1981 movie soundtrack and re-recorded for The Vault. Felder performed with the electricity and skill on guitar that has been his signature for the past half-century. Felder never had ample opportunity to highlight his singing during his term with the Eagles. However, he was and is a strong vocalist with a rich, dynamic tone, which he’s now able to showcase. Felder’s positive spirit and enjoyment for performing were clearly evident as he moved about the stage, stopping to jam with Mauro and proudly sharing with the crowd the release of “The Vault,” as a towering projection of the album’s cover filled the backdrop behind him. Fans eagerly sang along to all the beloved Eagles numbers, but none more so than during Felder’s final number, “Hotel California,” which not only brought everyone out in full-voice but brought the crowd to their feet as Felder performed the renowned “Hotel California” guitar solo on his double-neck guitar. Felder exited the stage to thunderous applause, completing the first if the evening’s brotherhood performances.
As the sun continued to set, and the heat dropped a couple of degrees, fans continued to fill the seats in anticipation of the arrival of the Kevin Cronin Band. For many fans it’s hard to not still think of the band as REO Speedwagon. While we all know it’s a result of legalities, most fans are not generally happy about behind-the-scenes difficulties tainting their musical experience. Long time fans are connected to the music and the memories that originated decades ago. These changes can be less than comfortable, particularly when longstanding and beloved band members are affected. With that said, the current members of the Kevin Cronin Band began performing together in 2024 (as REO Speedwagon), when bassist Matt Bissonette stepped in for a recuperating Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon’s bassist since 1977) and Derek Hilland joined on keyboards in 2023, after founding band member Neal Doughty retired from touring. Additional band members include Dave Amato (on lead guitar and vocals with REO since 1989) and Bryan Hitt (on drums/percussion with REO since 1989).
Bounding onto the stage with the same energy and joy he’s always demonstrated, Kevin Cronin immediately raised the excitement of the crowd to the next level. Grabbing the microphone he opened the set with the hits “Don’t Let Him Go” and “Keep On Lovin’ You,” from 1980’s Hi Infidelity, the biggest selling album of 1981. To those who have a connection to the music, the feelings and the memories remain real and tangible. Hearing Cronin’s still powerful vocals and experiencing the energy and spirit of the live music with thousands of likeminded “brothers and sisters,” it’s hard to believe its been more than four decades has passed since these songs were first performed on a concert stage.
From the dynamic energy of “Don’t Let Him Go,” to the emotionality of the power ballad “Keep On Lovin’ You,” these fan favorites gave audience members a taste of the music they’d been eagerly awaiting. Cronin is not a large man but the spirit and vitality he exudes can fill a stage, even one as expansive as that of PNC Bank Arts Center. Nothing seemed to stop Cronin from traveling from one corner to the next as he sang, played guitar, and met Amato and Bissonette to perform at centerstage. Equally impassioned in his musical expression was drummer Bryan Hitt. Hitt played with a fervor, a powerful spirit, like a man possessed, from the intense expressions on his face to his dramatic drumstick movements in his gloved hands.
Amato might not criss-cross the stage like Cronin or play with the fury of Hitt. However, the joyful expressions on his face and the passion he exuded as he jammed on his guitar alongside fellow guitar-playing bandmates, made it clear that even after 36 years his passion for playing the music of REO Speedwagaon has not dissipated. As this is just Bissonette’s second year with the band, he doesn’t have that same emotional connection to the music or the memories. However, his skills, prior experiences and obvious enthusiasm for performing make Bissonette a seamless fit with the band, though never a replacement for the prior bassist.
Throughout the majority of the performance the keyboard parts were left to Hilland, on the Hammond organ. However, four songs in the set called for the melodic sound produced by a grand piano. Piano duties for these numbers were shared between Hilland and Cronin, the latter playing the grand piano during “Keep On Lovin’ You,” as well as on the evening’s final number, “Roll With the Changes,” from 1978’s You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish. Hilland took a turn on the piano keys during “In Your Letter,” from Hi Infidelity as well as for the band’s March 1985 #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” As the stage lights dimmed, an illuminated purple and pink celestial backdrop towered over the stage. Standing centerstage, Cronin was bathed in a single spotlight, as Hilland began the iconic piano notes that were immediately recognized by the audience. During Cronin’s opening verse the crowd sat mesmerized, until the song’s chorus came in with the crash of the drums, the flash of bright stage lights and joining of the band. As the crowd passionately began singing along it was clear this song that was a hit forty years ago remains as beloved by its fans today. Additional songs in the set included: “Follow My Heart,” “Take It On the Run,” “Tough Guys,” “Out of Season,” “Shake it Loose,” “Wish You Were There,” “Keep Pushin’,” “Time for Me to Fly” and “Ridin’ the Storm Out.”
All of these artists in the Brotherhood of Rock Tour have songs I love and hearing these numbers take me back to a time and place when I first connected to them decades ago. However, the band I feel most passionately about is Styx. In addition to founding member James “J.Y.” Young on guitar, backing and lead vocals, founding member Chuck Panozzo on bass (who continues part-time), Tommy Shaw on guitar, lead and backing vocals (who joined in 1975), Todd Sucherman on drums for 30 years and Lawrence Gowan on keyboards, lead and backing vocals since 1999, the band has several newer members, Will Evankovich, guitar and backing vocals since 2021 and Terry Gowan, bass and backing vocals since 2024. While there are founding members, integral to the band’s success who are no longer part of the band, Styx continues to perform the band’s legendary music at a sound that remains as phenomenal and as “Styx-sounding” as one might remember.
A Styx production always feels big, as there’s an abundance of vividly colored lights and frenetic movement on stage. On this evening the production was sure to feel grand as this was a performance of Styx’s 1977 album The Grand Illusion (in track order), followed by the band’s greatest hits. Band members arrived onstage and began playing to a backdrop of bursting fireworks, as the dynamic instrumental music of “The Grand Illusion,” the first song and title track from the album, opened the show. “Welcome to the Grand Illusion. Come on in and see what’s happening. Pay the price, get your tickets for the show,” Gowan powerfully sang out, inviting one and all to the show. This resounding welcome set the tone for the next hour and a half of robust, rocking, all-time-favorite Styx music.
The energy onstage was in no small part due to the abundant exuberance and spirit of Lawrence Gowan. Beyond his incredible vocals and keyboard skills, Gowan is the consummate showman. In the blink of an eye he was singing from behind his keyboard, in front of his keyboard, running around his keyboard, standing atop his keyboard or racing around the stage to sing alongside band members. While no one can quite match the effervescence of Lawrence Gowan, newest band member, bassist Terry Gowan, exhibits unadulterated joy that surely must be part of the Gowan genes. Whether jamming with Evankovich or joining all the band’s guitarists, Terry Gowan’s elated facial expressions showcased his thrill at performing with the band.
“Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”, the second track on the album, was written by Shaw, who sings lead vocals. Splashes of psychedelic colors and shapes swirled about the backdrop as Shaw electrified the audience with his still powerful, rich vocals….defying time and age after almost 50 years since recording this song. Joining the band on bass, himself defying a long-term illness and age, was Chuck Panozzo, who tours with the band part-time. Both the audience and band members were thrilled at the arrival of Panozzo, as he is truly at a the heart and soul of the band.
There’s never a Styx performance that’s not chock full of hits from start to finish. They just have that many. The only question could be which ones, and when they will be performed. However, on this tour there was no question about the first eight songs, as The Grand Illusion is performed from start to finish. Reaching the fourth song on the album, the stage lights dimmed and the backdrop became a sea of royal blue, illuminated by a glowing full moon. A roar of cheers raced through the crowd, as Gowan began to play “Come Sail Away’s” initial distinctive piano notes. And, as Gowan began to sing, “I’m sailing away,” thousands joined in, filling the night air with the melodic beauty of this beloved number.
Completing The Grand Illusion, the second half of the performance included seven fan favorites, as well as “Build And Destroy,” a number from the band’s new studio album, Circling From Above. Performing “Rockin’ The Paradise,” a brightly illuminated cover of Paradise Theatre filled the stage backdrop and during “Too Much Time on My Hands,” an enormous swinging watch kept the time, along with Sucherman’s drum beats. As the bright lights and fanfare faded, Gowan and his keyboard were illuminated by a single spotlight for the beginning of the quietly beautifully, captivating “Lady.” This quiet was short-lived as the song opens up to the full band, sparkling chandeliers and a glowing ballerina for the culmination of the number. Back at high gear, the remainder of the set included, “Best of Times,” (with the audience shouting, “These are the best of times!”), “Blue Collar Man” and no Styx show would ever be complete without an encore of “Mr. Roboto” and the all-powerful anthem “Renegade.” From The Grand Illusion to Styx’s greatest hits, an incredible musical performance, highlighted by a spectacular light show. Styx music is the performance, the visuals made it a multifaceted show.
The Brotherhood of Rock Tour has brought together a trio of musical groups that have been part of the rock music scene for the past half-century. While it might be a “brotherhood” of rock bands, at PNC Bank Arts Center there was also a brother/sisterhood of thousands of enthusiastic fans who came together to sing and revel in the memories of their yesteryears. That’s what music does it creates memories and brings people together. You can’t get better than that.
