8/25/1996 REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ


 25 years ago today...

August 25, 1996 - Phoenix, AZ 

Three classic arena rock acts of the 70s, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Peter Frampton, brought their "Can't Stop Rockin'" tour to Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion.
Had this been 1976 rather than 1996, Peter Frampton riding the crest of "Frampton Comes Alive," the top selling live album ever, would have been the headliner. On this night, he sported a short haircut and John Lennon-style round wire glasses opening the show before the sun had set.
Foreigner was next, led by band founder and lead guitarist Mick Jones and sneering front man Lou Gramm. Foreigner was outstanding, ripping through hit after hit from rock radio, duplicating the songs from the singles versions. They were the best band on the night.
REO was the headliner, touring behind its new album "Building The Bridge." The band got some headlines when Bill Clinton used the title cut as part of his campaign, but the album generally sucked. The band's set fell into a lull when they introduced a new song from this record, and picked up again when they returned to the hits. I'm a huge REO fan, but Foreigner and Frampton were both better on this evening. We had terrific seats in the tenth row center.

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