by Jeb Wright

Cheap Trick Set List:
O Clair | That 70's Show Theme | California Man | If You Want My Love | She’s Tight | I Want You to Want Me | Tonight It’s You | The Flame | Surrender | Goodnight Now Ladies & Gentlemen | Dream Police

Oklahoma City residents descended upon the Zoo Amphitheater in droves to celebrate the best Classic Rock package touring the country this summer. The sign said SOLD OUT as we approached the venue as temperatures soared in the low 100's. I have never seen this many people crammed into the Zoo Amphitheater. The atmosphere reckoned back to the golden era of the 1970's as people were hanging out in the parking lot trying to find some shade and downing lots of suds.

The first band to take the stage was Cheap Trick. Boasting their original line up, this foursome from Rockford, Illinois still delivers the goods. While their career has seen plenty of Top 40 success, Trick was and still is best known as a kick ass live band and tonight was no exception. Despite having to open the show at 7pm with the hot sun beating down upon them, Trick rocked the packed house. They opened with "O Claire" from their latest album Rockford. The new CD is a testament to the band as they continue to release music without any concern to trends or fashion. Instead, they prefer to stick to the classic Cheap Trick sound and Rockford proves the well is far from dry. Unfortunately, the band was very limited on time and didn’t were unable to trot out any other new songs.

Next came the theme to "That 70's Show" followed by four classic Trick tunes, "California Man," "She’s Tight," "If You Want My Love" and "I Want You to Want Me." During this time the crowd were literally dancing in the isles. "Tonight It’s You" and "The Flame" represented the 80's era of the band but what came next was the highlight of their set. "Surrender" is one of the best rock songs of its era and is always met with approval. Everyone was disappointed when the band played their "Goodnight Now" anthem, signaling the end of the show. It was no surprise that they stuck around to deliver a stellar version of "Dream Police" complete with guitarist Rick Nielsen showering the first ten rows with guitar picks.

Heart Set List:
Wild Child | Never | Straight On | Magic Man | These Dreams | Alone | Love Reign O’er Me| Barracuda

Encore:
Going to California | Crazy On You

With the heat still beating down, Ann and Nancy Wilson both took the stage dressed in black prompting Ann to say, "I hope everyone brought a sweater tonight; it’s kind of cold out here." Again, despite the unrelenting heat, Heart put on a great, albeit short show, that featured many of their greatest hits.

Heart opened up with a song many had forgetting about, the rockin’ "Wild Child" from the album Brigade. The haunting balled "Never" followed as the crowd sang along. Heart threw the crowd a bone with two of their most classic songs delivered back-to-back, "Straight On" and "Magic Man." The latter raised the energy through the roof as Heart had the crowd eating out of their hand. Nancy was dancing and high kicking throughout the song and Ann – her vocals are amazing. Hearing her voice recorded is one thing but hearing her live is another. Ann deserves all the praise thrown her way and actually may be a underrated. She is one of the best vocalists I have ever seen live. No one walks away from a Heart show without being astounded by her vocal prowess.

The band slowed things down for a folksy version of "These Dreams" followed by another ballad, "Alone." Next up, however, was a surprise for the Oklahoma City faithful. Thunder roared from the speakers as the band covered The Who’s "Love Reign O’er Me." Ann wowed everyone as she made mincemeat out of Roger Daltrey! The set ended with the powerhouse rocker "Barracuda."

Heart returned for an encore with Nancy wielding a mandolin. Always known as huge Led Zeppelin fans, Heart tipped the hat to the British rock gods with a chilling version of "Going to California." Ending the set was "Crazy On You." Nancy stole the show on this one as she pounded the acoustic so hard it is a wonder the strings didn’t snap in half. Heart left the stage to a standing ovation.

Journey Set List:
Never Walk Away | Only the Young | Stone in Love | Ask the Lonely | After All These Years| Separate Ways | Change for the Better | Send Her My Love | Lights | Open Arms | Don’t Stop Believing | Wildest Dreams | DD Harp Segway | Wheel in the Sky | Be Good to Yourself | Anyway You Want It

Encore:
Escape | Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezing | Faithfully

It was the moment of truth for new Journey vocalist Arnel Pineda. The Filipino born singer, who was discovered on YouTube, was making his first appearance in Oklahoma City in front of a sold out crowd. The latest in a growing line of replacements for Steve Perry, Pineda would need to deliver the goods in a big way to win over such a large gathering of Journey-holics.

The band wisely opened with "Never Walk Away," the opening track to their new album Revelation, that debuted at # 5 on the Billboard popular music charts. The band peppered in three other new songs between classic Journey tunes and the crowd seemed impressed by all of the new material. To these writers dismay, too many songs from the Perry goes Pop era were represented as Journey performed "Only the Young," "Ask the Lonely" and "Send Her My Love" from Frontiers but ignored earlier classics "Anytime," "Feeling That Way," "Too Late," "Just the Same Way" and "Line of Fire." Thankfully, however, the band stayed completely away from Raised on Radio, not performing any songs from that album.

"Stone in Love," "Don’t Stop Believing" and "Open Arms" represented Escape during the main set, while the title track was the first song played during the encore. "Lights" and "Wheel in the Sky" were the only classic 70's tunes from Infinity while "Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’" was the only tune from Evolution and "Anyway You Want It" was the only track included from Departure. Still, with a new hit album to promote, Journey did a very good job of balancing songs from their thirty-plus year career.

One can’t help but compare Pineda to Perry or even to former singer Steve Augeri. For starters, Pineda is a Perry clone and let’s make no mistake in stating that is main reason he got the gig. Where Augeri was a good choice and he did a fine job, Pineda does an amazing job. He is a small, Filipino version of Steve Perry. If Perry were Filipino, he would even look like him!

On stage, Pineda is entertaining and energetic. Throughout the performance I could not help put take my eyes off Journey stalwarts Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory to watch Pineda. Joy, happiness and passion ooze out of every pour of his body and at times he literally steals the show. Cain gets a piano solo before "Open Arms" and Schon gets a guitar solo before "Stone in Love" and they both get down to some killer blues on the "DD Harp Segway" and they shine during these solo selections. However, one must admit this is the only time that you are not focused on the new vocalist. Not since Perry has the band had this strong of a stage presence at the front man spot. One can only hope the long line of lead singers has now come to an end and Pineda remains the lead singer for Journey for years to come.

Journey closed the show with the emotional "Faithfully" and the crowd responded with lighters in hand. I suppose the difference between this Journey and the Augeri era Journey is that with the albums Arrival and Generations Journey was a band trying to make an album that sounded like Journey and with Revelation Journey is a band who just made a Journey album. After several years of struggling to find an identity sans Perry, the band has finally found the right mix. Journey are once again comfortable within their own skin and are taking the Classic Rock world by storm with sold out concerts and high charting album releases.

At the end of the day, it would have been nice to see Cheap Trick and Heart play longer sets. It would have been nice to see Journey play more classic tunes. That said, this was one hell of a concert. Too many times package tours see bands going through the motions and collecting a paycheck. Cheap Trick, Heart and Journey appear to be having a great time on stage proving Classic Rock can retain power and passion for as long as there is a willing audience to receive it. Tonight in Oklahoma City the audience was willing and all three bands delivered the goods.

Check out www.journeymusic.com , www.heart-music.com or www.cheaptrick.com for tour dates and get your tickets fast because if Oklahoma City is any indication they will sell out quickly.