Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien, NY 7-27-16

The Rock Hall Three for All summer tour featuring Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick turned into more like the Rock Hall Two for All. Unfortunately, Joan Jett did not permit photographers to shoot her set so we passed on reviewing it as well.

The first set of the night was from Cheap Trick. I consider this band out of Rockford, Illinois, as one of the most underrated rock bands in rock and roll history. Just this past April they got their long deserved place in history by getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Taking the stage early at 6:50pm, Cheap Trick played a 55 minute set that featured classics such as “Surrender” and “Dream Police.” What was eye and ear catching in the set was the B-side tune “Lookin’ Out for Number One.” it was a great addition and much appreciated by longtime Cheap Trick fans. The band is currently supporting its 17th studio album “Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello” and performed a track off of it titled “No Direction Home.” The song has a catchy chorus and ear pleasing melody, making this track a highlight of the set. Vocalist Robin Zander, who still sounds and looks like he is half the age of his counterparts, rocked his Dream police outfit and rocked the audience with his vocals and stage presence. Rick Nielson, who is one of the most beloved guitarists on the planet, was his usual self as he wasn’t in one place than more than a few seconds at a time. He tossed out probably over a hundred guitar picks and his showmanship and crowd interaction still remains as vibrant as ever. Bassist Tom Petersson took center stage and sang the Velvet Underground song “I’m Waiting for the Man.” His 12 string Gretsch bass is beautiful and I always look forward to see him playing it live. A great set by the newly minted rock inductees.

Again, we will skip Jett and get right to Heart. Heart just released a collection of re-done tracks along with few new ones on “Beautiful Broken.” Led by Ann and Nancy Wilson, the band took the stage at 9:15pm and played a track off of the 1990 album “Brigade,” “Wild Child.” Ann immediately let her presence be felt by walking to the end of the stage to get the crowd riled up as the lights were still dim and band started playing the first few chords of the opening selection. In fact, she used the extended portion of stage quite a bit. It really kept the crowd energized when she would use it. The 2016 version of Heart remains the Wilson sisters plus Ben Smith on drums, Craig Bartock on guitar, Dan Rothchild on bass and Chris Joyner on keyboards. Both Wilsons not only impress with their musical abilities, but their style as well. They are always dressed beautifully as you can see in the accompanying photos. I loved hearing the new track “Beautiful Broken” as it’s edgy and a perfect way to keep their set energized. If you have seen Heart in the last 14 years, you would have seen Nancy Wilson play the mandolin during “These Dreams.” She still does and still shows her uncanny ability to handle the mandolin just as well as the six string. My regret from her was that she only used the extended stage once during Heart’s set. The band closed with two Zeppelin songs including “Stairway to Heaven.” Many have seen Heart’s performance from the Kennedy Honors at the end of 2012 (if not here is the link: Heart at Kennedy Honors.) and know how they did this song more than justice. if you don’t believe me, watch Robert Plant shed a tear during it. Anyhow, the band, once again, did a commendable job on the song and it happened to be accompanied by a fireworks display at the theme park portion of the venue at the same time. The fireworks made for a euphoric ending to a great package.

Maybe Jett (who still looks fabulous), will appreciate the media representatives who appreciate her career and change her policy before the tour ends.

Heart setlist:

Wild Child (Romeo’s Daughter cover)

Magic man

What About Love? (Toronto cover)

Bebe Le Strange

These Dreams

Two (Ne-Yo cover)

Straight On

Kick It Out

Beautiful Broken

Alone (I-Ten cover)

Crazy on You