Despite the Heat Three Legendary Acts Delight Fans at Credit One Stadium

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment  Writer

With a combined 150 years of recognizable classic pop and rock songs, the 'Renegades & Juke Box Heroes' tour presented by Live Nation, featuring headliners Styx and Foreigner, with special guest John Waite is a triple threat 'tour de force'. Together the three powerhouses who all got their start in the mid 1970's have over 35 Top 40 songs that provide a retro-era soundtrack for baby boomers. 

Monday (July 15th) night the summer mega tour made a stop in Charleston, playing to a near sell-out crowd at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. Concert goers came as far as Myrtle Beach and neighboring Georgia to witness three of the hardest rocking bands still hitting the road year after year. Covering four hours and more than 40 songs, fans of all three acts left fully satisfied, no doubt anticipating future shows.

Scoring chart toppers as a solo artist and with the glam metal band Bad English, as well as three Top 20 hits including two with The Babys, Waite opened the show to an appreciative crowd. Over 45 minutes Waite offered up eight numbers opening with The Baby's 'Midnight Rendezvous' before jumping into 'Change' a cover song from Spider that Waite took to #16 in 1982 on his debut release 'Ignition'.

His number ones 'When I See You Smile' and 'Missing You' followed with 'Every Time I Think of You' positioned nicely between, as Waite had everyone in the crowd beside diehard fans singing the time honored choruses. Looking debonair in black tuxedo attire, Waite praised the crowd for coming out in 95 degree weather, and jokingly wondered why he was dressed in a suit, before shedding his jacket on the final numbers.

Cruisin' to the finish line Waite threw in one of his personal Baby's favs 'Head First', a nice segue way into the band's Top 30 hit 'Back On My Feet Again'. Proving he is a hard rocker to the core, Waite closed his set with an extended version of Led Zepellin's 'Whole Lotta Love', overlapping the classic with Stevie Ray Vaughn's bluesy rocker 'Let Me Love You Baby'. His voice may not be as crisp as it was 40 years ago, but at 71 his vocals are as fluid as ever.

As both Styx and Foreigner are heavyweight classic rock bands, apparently they switch back and forth as closing acts. The Charleston show had Styx up next, as the progressive rock band who got their start in Chicago in 1972, and had the bulk of their success between the mid 1975-85 sent up hit after hit, much to the delight of concert attendees. Using a lone backdrop bearing their signature logo, and well timed images and lighting, Styx let the songs rule the evening.

With founding member and guitarist James Young (JY) as well as long time guitarist Tommy Shaw at the helm the six member unit including vocalist Lawrence Gowan and renowned drummer Todd Sucherman (voted number one best Live drummer by Modern Drummer in 2020), Styx opened with 'Grand Illusion' going full throttle for 90 minutes to 'Renegade', the second song in their two song encore.

A dozen hits total played like a 'best of' or a 'greatest hits' compilation as familiar tracks such as 'Too Much Time on My Hands', 'Lady', and 'Lorelei' provided awesome sing-alongs. While Shaw and Gowan along with his rotating keyboard shared most of the vocals, JY took center stage, showcasing his gritty voice on 'Miss America'. As the sun was beginning to set and the occasional waft of wind cycled through, extended versions of 'Rockin' the Paradise', 'Blue Collar Man', 'The Best of Times', 'Fooling Yourself', and 'Come Sail Away' gave fans their money's worth.

After bidding farewell and thanking attendees for suffering through hazy, hot, and humid, the boys returned surprising diehards with the seldom played 'Mr. Roboto' before saying good night with 'Renegade'. Shaw made mention of how appreciative he is that fans still want to see them perform live, with Gowan adding Charleston is one of the favorite tour stops for the band. Styx still rock with the best of them, and bringing Kilroy out of retirement was an added concert bonus.

Easily Styx could have closed the show, but coming on second among three veteran acts they set a nice hard rockin' tone for final act of the night. Much like their touring partners Foreigner are skilled in two areas i.e., entertaining the masses and blowing the roof off the joint, even when they are performing in an open air stadium.

One of the hottest bands on the planet during a ten year run that began in 1977, Foreigner gave fans precisely what they paid to see, a non-stop hit parade. With veteran rockers Kelly Hansen (vocals) and guitarist Jeff Pilson leading the rock n' roll procession, the six member band ripped through one classic after another, keeping the crowd on their feet for most of their 90 minute set.

Although they didn't perform every song in their Top 40 arsenal, Foreigner offered up the best of the best, kicking off their show with 'Double Vision', the title track from their second album from 1978. Not adhering a particular format, the band followed in similar fashion, sending out 'Head Games' the title track to their third album.

As he's done for more than two decades as the front man for Foreigner, Hansen maintains his unbridled enthusiasm, working every bit of the stage engaging the crowd between numbers. Like Waite, Shaw and Gowan, Hansen admitted it was blazing hot on stage and hopefully 'Cold As Ice' would allow somewhat of a cool down.

Foreigner may be considered a hard rock band, but they have two of rock's most time honored ballads. 'Waiting For a Girl Like You' prove Foreigner are as versatile as any band to emerge from the arena rock era. Hansen played to the ladies on the ensuing number, assuming in the south they preferred men who got sweaty in the summer, and even a little naughty. A nice segue way into 'Dirty White Boy'.

'Feels Like the First Time' and 'Urgent' were wrapped around band introductions with drummer Chris Frazier allowed to shine during an extended drum solo. 'Juke Box Hero' has become the poster song for every wannabee rock star and a favorite among classic rock radio formats, which is reason enough to allow local high school choirs an opportunity to join Foreigner on stage during their two song encore performance.

Dressed in black t-shirts chorus members from Stratford High got to back up the band on 'I Want to Know What Love Is', which has become perhaps their biggest across the board hit. The inspirational number had everyone out of their seats with many swaying back and forth while chiming in on the recognizable refrain.

While soft rock might be among Foreigner's playlist, the hard rockin' band who are waiting deservedly to be inducted this year into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame ended the show with another powerhouse track off 'Double Vision'. Reaching No#3 on the Top 40 charts back in 1978, the high energy 'Hot Blooded' song has become a fan favorite and can not be left off any concert tour.

Despite founding member Mick Jones' absence from the band over the past several years, he is still the architect behind Foreigner and puts his stamp of approval on the members who embody the band. The band's legacy and Jones' songs are well represented with the talented musicians and Hansen's vocals carrying the torch near the half century mark.

As is typical each and every summer, classic pop and rock bands unite for epic tours. This year John Fogerty and George Thorogood are out on the road together, as are Journey, Def Leppard, & Steve Miller. The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes concert tour is among the best, and certainly worth your hard earned dollar. I recommend seeing them if they play near your town.

Concert dates run well through late August. For more visit https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/12/styx-and-foreigner-with-very-special-guest-john-waite-announce-renegades-juke-box-heroes-tour/