Published: September 28, 2009 01:05 pm      

Journey delivers at Ford Park concert

BEAUMONT — Ford Pavilion was the place to be on Sunday as one of the most popular bands in rock history, Journey, traveled to Beaumont for its first performance in Southeast Texas in more than 29 years.

And, thankfully, the wait was worth it.

Journey, featuring Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo, and new vocalist, Arnel Pineda, delivered a powerful 100 minute set of hits and new music to (unofficial estimate) more than 7,500 fans, both young and old.

From the first note of the opening song “Separate Ways,” Journey made sure fans were going to get their money worth. The band churned out hit after hit like “Stone in Love,” “Lights” and “Open Arms,” while managing to include a new song, “Change for the Better”, from the group’s 2008 release “Revelations.”

No Journey concert would be complete without trademark tunes such as “Wheel in the Sky,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Be Good to Yourself,” “Faithfully” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” all of which received roaring approval from the audience and a sing-along or two. The band returned for its encore and closed the show with the rocking “Any Way You Want It.”

Night Ranger opened the show promptly at 7 p.m. and blazed through a 60 minute set of hits and pleasant surprises.

The band, which still contains core members Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy gave an energetic showing. From the opening notes of “The Boy Needs to Rock” to “Sing Me Away” to “The Secret of My Success”, the band thoroughly looked and performed like a group of friends who truly love being on stage.

All of the well known Night Ranger songs were here too, like “Sentimental Street,” “Eddie’s Coming Out,” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” but fans who arrived early enough were treated to a couple of surprise inclusions, “Coming of Age” and “High Enough.” Both of these tunes were penned by Blades and his good friend, Tommy Shaw, while the pair were both members in the rock band “Damn Yankees.”

Although the band’s performance was on par with Journey, most of the crowd in attendance seemed less than enthusiastic until the group arrived at the set staples “Sister Christian” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” when everyone finally came to life and rose from their seats.

While these two bands no longer churn out the hits as they once did so many years ago, to the thousands who attended Sunday’s concert the only requirements necessary were good bands, good music and good fun.



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com