Foreigner Fans Experience a Trip Back in Time at the Taylor County Coliseum

Despite rainy weather, thousands of fans filled the Taylor County Expo Center/Coliseum in Abilene to see legendary classic rock band Foreigner yesterday evening. Formed in 1976 by Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, and Lou Gramm, the band's debut album released in 1977. Although there have been many member changes over the years, fans still looked forward to hearing the beloved classics, and they anxiously awaited for the show to begin.

Terri Knight,  "The Queen from The Bear" (on-Air personality) at Classic Rock Station 102.7, has been promoting the band coming to Abilene for the last 2-3 months. She said she "expected a lot of people to come out," and "had just finished doing the 'Meet and Greet' in the 'Cowboy Room.'   

She added, "The band just graciously thanked me for promoting them so heavily; they're the coolest band I've ever seen in my life."

 

(Photo courtesy of Terri Knight and Foreigner)

Russ Dodge, from Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the promoters who works for Peter Kernan of "Pacific Coast Promotions" out of California. Dodge said, "The band (Foreigner) had just come from Mulvane, Kansas last night and are happy to play Texas tonight."  He added that he "also works with booking agents who handle such bands as Steve Miller, REO Speedwagon, Beach Boys, Styx, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Peter Frampton, Heart, Gregg Allman, and Robin Trower, and is working on bringing more concerts to the midwest."  

  

Prior to the show, several teenagers in red shirts went through the crowd selling two Foreigner CDs for $20, and, along with their purchase, buyers received a raffle ticket for their chance to win an autographed Les Paul guitar at the end of the show. They were students from Abilene and Cooper High School Choirs, and approximately 25 of them would be performing with the band later in the show. One of the teens, 17-year- old Timothy Evans, a student at Abilene High School, said, "One day, my choir teacher just came in and told us we were going to be performing with the band on their song 'I Want to Know What Love is.' It took us about a month to prepare, and we were very excited."  When he graduates high school, Evans said he plans to pursue music at the University of Texas.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m., the band took the stage, and right away, fans were on their feet with cell phones recording, and the masses began singing along to "Double Vision." The light show held them in awe as the band continued with all the classics, including "Head Games," "Cold as Ice," "Waiting for a Girl like You," and "Dirty White Boy." Every single note and beat sounded like the original recordings from decades ago. Front man Kelly Hansen, Lead Vocals, walked through the crowd under a spotlight, shook hands and gave high fives.   

Afterwards, he introduced the band members while each played a brief solo: Chris Frazier–Drums, Michael Bluestein - Keyboards, Jeff Pilson-formerly of Dokken-Bass guitar, Tom Gimbel – Flute, Rhythm Guitar, Saxophone, and Bruce Watson - Lead Guitar.

Hansen then addressed the audience saying, "Tonight, we have some very special people bringing 'somebody' a birthday cake. He will turn 55 tomorrow and is happy to celebrate with the crowd."  Just then, two members of the Abilene Fire Department, in uniform, brought out a cake with candles while the band and crowd all sang "Happy Birthday." 

Hansen said," It's always special when we play in Texas because I appreciate Texas' values."    

He then did a poll of the audience by a show of hands and found one couple who had been married for 46 years. He said, "This next song is dedicated to you and anyone else who has been together for a long time." The band played "Feels Like the First Time," followed by "Urgent" and a drum solo leading up to "Jukebox Hero." They also played "Long Long Way from Home," and after, Hansen thanked the crowd and told them they were "awesome." 

Finally, the song everyone waited for came to fruition. Twenty-five students in red t-shirts joined the band onstage and sang "I want to Know What Love is." As they finished, Hansen turned to the crowd, pointed toward the students, and said, "I want everyone to see how beautiful your future looks."  

The band finished the show with the song "Hot Blooded." Many people in the crowd felt they definitely received their money worth for this show. It was like turning back the clock 30 plus years.  

Tammy Essensee Helms, of San Angelo, said she used to listen to Foreigner in high school, but this was her first time seeing them live, and "it was fantastic."

"Although I don't mind driving to Abilene, I wish they had shows like this in San Angelo as it was really good!"  

All in all, Foreigner put on a flawless show, local students participated in an opportunity of a lifetime, and fans were genuinely entertained. Knight and Dodge added, "It was a great show, and we look forward to having Alice Cooper on Saturday, August 20, 2016." Ticket sales will begin April 29, and they look forward to a great turnout for that show as well.          

Per the band's press release, "Tonight foreigner is raising money that will benefit the Abilene High School Pure Gold Choir and the Red, Rhythm and Blues Choir from Cooper High School with a $250 grant for each choir and a donation to the Grammy Foundation to further their efforts for in-school Music programs throughout the country."

For more information and event schedules, check out www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com, Terri Knight and Pacific Coast Promotions' Facebook pages, and Foreigner.com.