Season sails away at the Gorge

Styx, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon finish off year

THE GORGE — The final show of the year at the Gorge Amphitheatre brought three headliners and plenty of 1970s-style music Saturday night.

Styx, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon were welcomed by approximately 6,000 fans and cool weather, at a concert that also saw few problems according to local law enforcement.

The 5 p.m. show started with opening band Clever Bastards, before Foreigner came on playing such hits as "Hot Blooded" and "Jukebox Hero." Foreigner also played tribute to new drummer Jason Bonham's father, late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, during a Foreigner rendition of Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop"

Jason Bonham was available for comment before the show Friday, and the new Foreigner drummer said he has received great reviews from fans since joining the band.

"It's been fantastic, the response," Bonham said, "It's been overwhelming the fans."

One of Bonham's first bands was a Foreigner cover band, and he said joining up was a relatively easy transition because the songs he started drumming in the 1970s were similar to the music played by Foreigner.

Bonham and the band will return to the studio when they finish up this tour in the next few months, and have plans to start their tour next year with a show in Japan.

While it was his first show at the Gorge with Foreigner, Bonham said he was looking forward to playing at the amphitheater he last played at in the 1990s.

"The scenery there, I just remember that being absolutely stunning," Bonham said.

Foreigner was followed with a set from REO Speedwagon, who brought cheers from fans with hits like "Can't Fight this Feeling," and other hits.

Styx then finished off the show with rocking vocals and keyboard playing on their hits like "Lady" and "Come Sail Away." The six-member band also played a few songs off their most recent album, "Big Bang Theory," one of which was a cover of the Beatles "I Am The Walrus."

The final show of the year finished without too many problems, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The GCSO reported a quiet night with one issue regarding concertgoers parking on private property. GCSO deputies also made a few alcohol-related contacts during an otherwise quiet concert. The agency stated in a news release that it has plans to work with the House of Blues at the Gorge again next year.