Tom Keifer
w/ Winger & Lita Ford
Great Cedar Showroom @ Foxwoods Resort Casino – Ledyard, CT
Friday, June 26th, 2024
Review / Pics: Shannon Wilk
Three beloved ‘80s rock groups took to the Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino. In the middle of nowhere (Mashantucket) in Connecticut, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer was joined by Winger and Lita Ford for an evening of old school melodic rock. The 1400 capacity theater was host to the sold out triple bill.
Lita Ford
Hair metal’s OG frontwoman, Lita Ford, opened the show at 8PM. Performing for just half an hour, the setlist featured a slew of classic tunes. Joining her on co-lead vocals on her top 10 charting track, “Close My Eyes Forever“, was guitarist Patrick Kennison, who eloquently performed the parts originally sung by Ozzy Osbourne. The “queen of rock” wielded a B.C. Rich Warlock – which has been part of her image for decades.
In addition to fan favorites “Gotta Let Go” and “Larger Than Life“, Ford also performed a cover of Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back“, which she originally released as a bonus track on her 2012 album. The group has an all-star rhythm section with Steelheart bassist Marten Andersson and Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock.
Lita Ford and her band brought an incredible show to kick off the evening.
Winger
Next up for the evening was Winger, a band who is arguably one of the most technically sound groups of the “hair metal” genre. Playing just 6 songs in their set, the show truly was hit after hit; “Seventeen” to “Miles Away” to “Headed For A Heartbreak“, etc. Guitarist Reb Beach showcases some of the most effortless prowess on his instrument. The group’s drummer, Rod Morgenstein, brings a prog influence with his drum rhythms and fills – a standout from his peers in the ‘80s rock plane.
Just like back in the day, Kip Winger sports a headset microphone so he is able to move around the stage as he simultaneously plays bass and sings. The group boasts an all original lineup, with an additional guitarist, Howie Simon filling in for John Roth.
Winger has still got it, sounding as good as ever.
Tom Keifer
Tom Keifer and his killer band hit the stage just before 10PM, opening the set with “Life Was Here” off his 2019 solo album. The longtime Cinderella frontman performs songs from each album in the band’s 4-album catalogue, as well as a handful of tunes from his more recent works. At 63 years old, Keifer struts around in platform boots like nobody’s business.
Much of his show features a heavy blues influence, with slide guitar, pedal steel guitar, mouth harp, etc. packaged in a darker hard rock image. With two female backing vocalists, as well as guitarist Tony Higbee and keyboardist Kory Myers providing harmonies – the band produces a very full sound.
As Higbee put on a double neck guitar and began the opening riff of “Nobody’s Fool“, Keifer took to the mic, “remember when you got your heart broke for the first time…” he says, “then you woke up one day and thought about what that person did to you and you say ‘fuck you, i’m nobody’s fool.” And with that, the band came in and they were off into the song. Keifer and Higbee trade off parts in the solo, ending with a harmonizing guitar part into the last chorus.
The majority of the set’s remainder showcased songs from Cinderella’s breakout album Night Songs and it’s follow up Long Cold Winter. From “Night Songs” to “Somebody Save Me” to “The Last Mile” to “Shake Me“, the group performed one killer tune after another. The band left the stage, closing with “Shelter Me“. But, of course, it’s not the end.
Tom Keifer and his band returned to the stage with Keifer taking a seat behind a piano, joined by his wife Savannah, for a moving performance of “Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)“. The crowd was illuminated by phone flashlights moving together as the band played. To my surprise, the encore featured a Beatles cover song, “With A Little Help From My Friends“. The #KeiferBand then closed out the evening with a Cinderella classic, “Gypsy Road“.
The Great Cedar Showroom saw a hard rocking show on that red hot Friday night with Lita Ford, Winger and Cinderella’s Tom Keifer.
For those who lived through the ‘80s it was an evening of reminiscence and for the youngsters like me, it was another opportunity to see the rock n’ roll heroes we know and love.
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Tom Keifer
Winger
Lita Ford
