Foreigner @ Grand Rex, Paris April 13th 2010 Part 1

Foreigner @ Grand Rex
Paris April 13th 2010

Part 2 is HERE ( with setlist & video)

First time I'm really seeing a Foreigner concert, last time doesn't really count as they were opening for Led Zeppelin @ 02 and they only played a couple of songs.

Not really sure if it can be call Foreigner as there's only one original member Mick Jones on guitar, Lou Gramm as left many years ago.

It's an early start as the band is supposed to play @ 8:00PM and there's NO support band.
The show started @ 8:25, the stage is very simple with just a logo in the back and a couple of risers for the Drums & Keyboards.
The lightning is STUNNING I mean they have some strong white lights on Mick Jones & singer Kelly Hansen, all dressed in white, for the whole gig.
Patrice Guino , our photgrapher is in fuckin' heaven. I guess this time he doesn't want to dismember the light engineer and throw the pieces to the pigs.

The Grand Rex is one of the most beautiful théatre in the heart of Paris (2500 capacity), all seated in very confortable sofas, it's like beeing at home in front of the TV.
Maybe is it because of the price of the tickets but it's far from beeing sold-out.

Anyway the band made a killer entrance with " double vision" followed by " Head Games" & Cold as Ice" ( see full setlist in Part 2).
I've never been a fan of Foreigner even though I have a couple of the old albums , they're way too light for me, I've always prefer heavy shit.

I'm quite surprised the band is really ROCKIN', the sound is perfect ( "so is the light show" dixit Patrice)
Kelly Hansen is a great showman , a great poser ( in a good way) & a great singer, his voice is hitting the high note perfectly.
Hard not to think about Steven Tyler when you see him walking that stage.

Foreigner is rejuvenated with Kelly and the "youngsters" in the band Jeff Pilson on bass (former Dokken & Dio), Brian Tichy on drums ( Slash's snakepit, Pride & Glory, Billy Idol, Ozzy & Glenn Hughes) + Tom Gimbel on guitar & saxophone & Mickael Bluestein on Keys.

We have a couple of new songs but Foreigner is playing most of their hits.

Mick Jones is fluent in French as he's lived over here for many years working with French Elvis: Johnny Halliday

The band is on top form, Kelly is even having a short walk in the pit down the front to the audience's delight.

Foreigner @ Grand Rex, Paris April 13th 2010 Part 2

for LIVE video & setlist scroll down this page

Michael " keys" Bluestein

We have an unecessary (short) keyboard solo plus a cool drums solo including parts with his bare hands ( John B, where are you ? )

Mega versions of " Urgent" ( here on video) & "Juke box Hero" incorporating Led Zeppelin's "Whole lotta love".
Jason Bonham, son of Led zeppelin's drummer John Bonham was playing in Foreigner a couple of years ago.

Mick is throwing lots of guitar picks in the audience so is Jeff Pilson.

Brian "Banging" Tichy

The band is really having fun and so are we.

Probably my favorite gig this year so far.

Tom Gimbel

Kelly "steven" Hansen

ALL PICTURES Courtesy of
© Guino Patrice http://rockerparis.blogspot.com/

Steven Tyler is in da house !

Jeff " smoking" Pilson

The Winners & Setlist

" Urgent":

Luther Russell @ Fargo record Store, Paris April 13th 2010 6:00PM

Luther Russell @ Fargo record store
Paris April 13th 2010 6:00PM

Luther Russell is still in Paris with his friend Patrick Bower.
They were both playing yesterday night at Pop'In.
For this early show @ 6:00PM Luther Russell is on his own on the acoustic guitar.
We don't need to tell you that we like him as it's the third time we've been to his shows this week.(scroll down for reviews & videos).
Really cool 30min+ set, it's not folk more rock songs played acoustically with a very good blues one closing the set HERE on video:

Then we went to the nearby Grand Rex to see American AOR band Foreigner, it's also an early show as they're supposed to be on stage @ 8:00PM

Sharon Jones & The Dap-kings @ L' Album de la Semaine, Canal+ Paris April 12th 2010

Sharon Jones & The Dap-kings @ L' Album de la Semaine
Canal+ , Paris April 12th 2010

Soul lady Sharon Jones is recording famous Canal+ TV show : L' Album de la semaine to promote her new album.
In front of a selected audience of 200, Sharon proved once again that she's The Soul lady.
A trip back into the 60's soul music à la PP Arnold but not only as a couple of her songs are more Funky à la James Brown.
She's a great show-woman, dancin' and "preachin'" with a perfect voice to match.
They had to re-do 3 songs and she invited someone from the audience on stage to "sing " him the song.
Great 30 min+ set.
She's playing tomorrow @ Trabendo. Don't miss her
Too bad We're going to Foreigner @ Grand Rex tomorrow.

Then we went to see Luther Russell & Patrick Bower @ Pop'In.
Each one played for a short 20 min set, both on acoustic guitars, Luther is more rock and Patrick is more anti-folk à la Adam Green.
They're playing tomorrow afternoon @ Fargo record Store in Oberkampf @ 4:00PM

see our previous review of both these artists ( with video) HERE

Beatles, It was 40 years ago... The end

On April 10th 1970 Paul McCartney was quitting The Beatles.

It was the Official end of the road for The Beatles.

( I know we're on the 12th)

Richard Ashcroft back with United Nations Of Sound and a few shows in Europe in june 2010

contact: irockinparis((@))yahoo(dot)fr

Richard Ashcroft is back with a new band : United Nations of Sound
A new album " redemption" out on June 7.
And a new Tour ( dates below)

Ancona Piazza del Papa (June 5)

Paris Trabendo (8)

Berlin Columbia Club (10)

Cologne Gloria (12)
Amsterdam Melkweg (13)
Manchester Academy (15)
London Shepherds Bush Empire (16)

I just hope that he won't cancel Paris as he did for his last 2 gigs in the French capital.
Fortunately we were lucky to see him live for two private shows @ RTL radio & Canal+ Tv show when he was promoting " Keys to the world".