Co-Headliners Chicago and REO Speedwagon wow Cincinnati fans with unforgettable performances.
As the setting sun slowly disappeared into the night, concertgoers casually and methodically took their places at the Riverbend Music Center, some undercover in the seated amphitheater many others with blankets and lawn chairs were sprawled across the vast lawn area ready for what was to come.
With over 40 million records sold including 13 top 40 hits, Midwest rock legends REO Speedwagon were the first to perform and the crowd was more than ready. With the ever-familiar opening guitar chords and drum beats of “Don’t Let Him Go” resonating across the venue, everyone is immediately on their feet, fists in the air, and singing along. Without wasting a bit of the energy, REO rolls right into “In Your Letter and “Keep Pushing“ starting off what promises to be fantastic and memorable evening.
Over the course of the next hour one familiar hit after another comes from the stage including “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Tough Guys,” “Take It on the Run,” and “Time for Me to Fly.” These fan favorites have everyone in the venue pouring out as much energy as the guys on stage.
Kevin (Cronin), Bruce (Hall), Gary (Richrath), Neal (Doughty) and Byran (Hitt) all seem to be having a blast, interacting with fans while always seeming to smile as the fans in the crowd are dancing and relishing what is happening before them.
With more than half of their set completed it’s time for Bruce to take the lead on vocals as REO launches into the bass-heavy “Back on the Road Again” followed by the iconic “Ridin’ the Storm Out” and the venue feels like it’s going to explode.
A three-song encore kept the feel-good party going strong, kicking off with the power ballad “Keep on Loving You” followed by the rocking hit “Roll With the Changes”. REO Speedwagon closed its set recognizing a late great artist, who once led what Cronin dubbed the greatest American rock band of all time. ”We sing this in memory of the great Tom Petty,” Cronin said before launching into a memorable cover of Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Listen to Her Heart.” putting a giant exclamation point on a great set.
With the crowd well primed, feeling comfortable and thoroughly enjoying the evening It was Chicago’s turn to shine. The first half of their set was a treat to the deep and ardent Chicago fans as the group performed Chicago II from top to bottom.
For a group, whose career spans more than 50 years (with over 40 million records sold in the U.S., 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums and 20 top-ten singles) it was a treat that there were three founding band members onstage this evening, vocalist Robert Lamm, trombone player James Pankow and trumpeter Lee Loughnane.
Pankow addressed the crowd mid-way through the Chicago II set saying “the band’s journey back to “Chicago II” is a significant one, as the album was “arguably the template for all the music that followed.” Pankow acknowledged the role of founding guitarist/vocalist Terry Kath, who died all too soon in 1978, “He was probably the heart and soul of this band. When he left, he took a lot with him,” before a moving performance of “Memories of Love” featuring Robert Lamm on vocals and Keith Howland on acoustic guitar. Chicago closed out the Chicago II part of the performance with a wild performance of the signature song from the album “25 or 6 to 4” that had everyone on their feet moving and grooving.
Without any noticeable break or even any hesitation, Chicago started their “Greatest Hits” part of the evening with the familiar “Beginnings” and never turned back. Over the course of the next hour fans were treated to performances of “If You Leave Me Now,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” and fan favorite and always recognizable “Just You ‘n’ Me” leaving everyone in attendance feeling good.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and tonight was no different as Chicago closed out the evening in a powerful way with “Hard to Say I’m Sorry / Get Away,” “Saturday in the Park” and finally “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” closing out a memorable evening with two music legends.
