Rock band, Foreigner Performing in Belfast

It was a pleasure to spend the night in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast watching three fantastic rock bands performing classic tracks from decades in the industry. “Foreigner”, “FM” and “No Hot Ashes” impressed the sold out Belfast audience. No Hot Ashes, in particular, going down very well back on home soil.

My introduction to Foreigner came in 1985 when I was given a double LP entitled “The Greatest Hits of 1985”. In all honesty I can only remember two songs from the double album. “I want to know what love is” by Foreigner and the theme track from Beverly Hills Cop (“Axel–F”). The reason for my lack of attention to this album was that I had also received both “Brothers in Arms” and “Under Lock and Key” by American rock band, Dokken.

The Greatest Hits, “Brothers in Arms” and “Under lock and Key” created a bizarre mix of music. It was the Dokken sound that gripped me and within months I was attempting George Lynch guitar lines. Said guitar was a little Hohner electric guitar plugged directly into the mic socket of a turntable amplifier. It was a punishing sound but inspired by local guitarist Vivian Campbell I persevered.

Mentioning Viv, it was also great to catch up with the brilliant Ray Haller (Sweet Savage) at the Foreigner gig. I can’t wait for the new Savage album that is due out later this year.

After discovering “Under Lock and Key” I bought every Dokken album. I routinely VHSed the Rock Show at 2am in the hope it would feature Dokken, Keel or Van Halen videos.

FM Photos

A small selection of the photos taking of FM in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, 1st April 2014.

Line-up: Steve Overland – vocals & guitar / Merv Goldsworthy – bass / Pete Jupp – drums / Jem Davis – keyboards / Jim Kirkpatrick – guitar

Many years later, multiple worlds collide and Foreigner are playing the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. It was apparent the mix of ‘The Greatest Hits of 85’ and ‘Under Lock and Key’ wasn’t bizarre after all.

One of the four original members of Dokken, Jeff Pilson, a diverse musical talent is now the bass player in Foreigner. Jeff also appears in the film “Rock Star” alongside Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.

Foreigner Photos

A small selection of photos from Foreigner, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, 1st April 2014.

Foreigner is embarking on a UK & Europe tour with “Europe” and “FM”. Sadly, Europe didn’t perform in Dublin or Belfast).

It was a remarkable, sold out show. The veterans of rock (in the nicest possible way) demonstrated the advantage of experience. I think there were many in the audience who were transported back to their teenage years. Especially when Foreigner lead singer, Kelly Hanson went on an audience walk about during the brilliant ‘Cold as Ice’.