Foreigner Closes Out the 2008 Rockin' on the Riverfront Series

First off: On behalf of the entire General Motors Rockin' on the Riverfront staff, we would like to ask everyone to please keep friends and family of Tom Furtaw, guitarist from local band Spitting Nickels (opener at last week's Blue Oyster Cult concert), in their thoughts and prayers.

Well folks, it's finally here -- the last Rockin' on the Riverfront concert of the 2008 season. It has been an AMAZING couple of months and this year's series has proved to be nothing short of a success. We send an enormous thank you out to everyone who has attended the concerts, viewed this blog, posted comments or sent e-mails to us at rockinontheriverfront@gmail.com. Please feel free to continue e-mailing us after the concert with any comments, photos or questions.

Foreigner will rock the Riverfront stage this Friday, Aug. 22 -- ending the 2008 Rockin' on the Riverfront concert series with a bang!

Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Foreigner was universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, racking up scores of smash hits, multi-platinum albums and sold-out tours. From “Hot Blooded” and “Jukebox Hero,” to “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” Foreigner's thrilling mix of blustery blues and impeccably crafted pop continues to captivate generation after generation of music fans.

SIDENOTE: Check out this hilarious YouTube video of a 4-year-old lip-syncing to Jukebox Hero!

Foreigner is celebrating four decades of music making, regrouping with an exciting, brand new lineup. Led by the group's creative brainchild, chief songwriter, musician and producer, Mick Jones, the band includes veteran members, keyboardist Jeff Jacobs and rhythm guitarist Tom Gimbel. New recruits include bassist Jeff Pilson, drummer Jason Bonham (the son of the late Led Zepplin drummer John Bonham) and vocalist Kelly Hansen.

Hunter Brucks (pronounced Brooks) will open the show from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. His music has been described as “motor city soul meets southern rock ‘n’ roll.” Foreigner will play from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Again, we appreciate the support from ROR fans all across Michigan and various other cities. Thanks for making ROR 2008 a smashing success!

More Cowbell! Blue Öyster Cult Jams on the Riverfront Friday!

What is more iconic 70's Blue Öyster Cult than the jam "Don't Fear The Reaper?" And, thanks to Saturday Night Live, the hit has made a HUGE comeback as a generation X hit as well.

If you haven't ever seen the skit and aren't familiar with the background, here's the scoop: The song was the focus of a 2000 SNL sketch in which guest host Christopher Walken played "famed producer Bruce Dickinson" who repeatedly demands "more cowbell!" during the recording of the song.

Though a producer named Bruce Dickinson is in charge of the production and remastering of BÖC's back catalogue, he actually had no connection with the 1976 production of Agents of Fortune. The sketch also includes a completely fictional member of the band, "Gene Frenkle" (played by Will Ferrell), whose sole function is playing the cowbell.

In reality, the song does include a faint cowbell, which is best heard during the opening and other instrumental segments.

In recent years, BÖC has embraced the publicity generated by the SNL sketch, and has one of their roadies appear on stage when they play the song to re-create the "Gene Frenkle" character by enthusiastically banging a cowbell!

Take a minute to watch the video here and more importantly, get your cowbell out because we're ready to hear these 70's icons perform it live this Friday!!!

After BÖC, we're down to only one concert...Foreigner on August 22! Hope to see you on Riverfront Plaza!

- Downtown Detroit Diva

For Detroit, Kansas is More Than Dust in the Wind

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Kansas concert -- it was wonderful!

Now onto some more big gigs -- Blue Oyster Cult this Friday, Aug. 15 and Foreigner next Friday, Aug. 22.

Hope to see you on the riverfront!

1970's Legendary Band Kansas Takes Over Detroit This Friday!

OK all you rockers out there -- we're getting down to the wire! Only three more concerts left in the 2008 General Motors Rockin' on the Riverfront concert series, so if you haven't made it down to the Riverfront yet this summer, you better get shakin'!

The highly-successful mid-to-late '70s American band Kansas takes center stage this Friday.

PLEASE NOTE: Michigan native Anisa Hayes will open the concert from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kansas will take stage at approximately 9 p.m.

Kansas' music features British-style progressive rock combined with elements of heavy metal and classical music topped off with a hard rock edge. The bands more popular hits include “Carry on Wayward Son,” “All I Wanted” and “Dust in the Wind.” The video may be a bit cheesy (especially the ruffled, collared shirts!) but man that song produces some goose bumps! I can't wait to see it performed live on the Riverfront.

Aside from producing the above hits, Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for more than 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan.

The current members who make up Kansas are: Phil Ehart (drummer), Billy Greer (bass guitar, vocals), Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals), Steve Walsh (lead vocals, keyboards) and Richard Williams (lead and acoustic guitar).

Here are some quirky and interesting facts about the band and some of their songs:

• Kansas is indeed named for the state. Kansas is a Sioux word meaning "People of the South Wind" (which happens to be the name of one of the band's songs!)


• "Carry on Wayward Son" was written by previous guitarist Kerry Livgren. According to Livgren, the song was not written to express anything specifically religious, though it certainly expresses spiritual searching and other ideas.


• Livgren also wrote "Dust in the Wind." He was inspired by a line in a book of Native American poetry - "For All We Are is Dust in the Wind." The song is about the true value of material things and success.

If you can't make it to Kansas, you've got two more chances before the ROR train departs the station for the year! Up next is Blue Oyster Cult on August 15, followed by the much-anticipated finale concert on August 22 -- FOREIGNER!

Questions, comments? E-mail us at rockinontheriverfront@gmail.com. Thanks to all of you so far who have utilized this e-mail address to contact us with questions or to share your ROR experience. We appreciate the love!

- Motor City Mama

The Guess Who ROCKED Detroit!

Photo credit: Larry Garcia of VenuPix

Members of The Guess Who (wsg Justin Lee) pose for some photos with fans before Friday night's concert.

For those of you that were lucky enough to catch the show, what was your favorite song they played?

I really enjoyed "Shakin' All Over," although all of the songs were great and played with an amazing energy!

- Downtown Detroit Diva

Be sure to check out the One Source Detroit Web site for more photos and a rockin' slideshow of the concert!