The “Rock Hall Three for All” tour featuring Heart, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts & Cheap Trick rolled through Starlight Theatre last night. It was three of the most iconic and staple bands of the 1980s joining forces in celebration of the genre, having kicked off the run earlier this summer following Cheap Trick’s long-awaited and much overdue induction to the Cleveland establishment.
The influential group opened the evening to an earlier-than-usual packed house. With everyone on their feet for the entire set, Cheap Trick treated fans with some favorites throughout the years and the hits to close it out. It was a slightly rearranged setlist compared to other dates, which saw “Dream Police” dropped from play. However, Zander’s attire more than filled that void. It was a performance well-worth its own headlining tour.
CHEAP TRICK SETLIST |“Hello There,” “Heart on the Line,” “Big Eyes,” “California Man” (The Move cover), “Tonight It’s You,” “When I Wake Up Tomorrow,” “If You Want My Love,” “Baby Loves to Rock,” “Stop This Game,” “I’m Waiting for the Man” (The Velvet Underground cover), “The Flame,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender”
Joan Jett—the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”—took to the stage next with her band The Blackhearts. She was just inducted to the rock hall as well as a part of the 2015 class. Her set consisted of a range of songs, some from her former band, The Runaways, plus her hits and even some of the group’s new titles. That chart-topping tune, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” (1982), lit the crowd and served as the theme of the entire night. Her mezzo-soprano voice still as in charge as the it was in the decade she dominated.
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS SETLIST |“Bad Reputation,” “Cherry Bomb” (The Runaways cover), “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)” (Gary Glitter cover), “TMI,” “You Drive Me Wild” (The Runaways cover), “Light of Day” (Bruce Springsteen cover), “Soulmates to Strangers,” “Love Is Pain,” “Fake Friends,” “Any Weather,” “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” (The Arrows cover), “Crimson & Clover” (Tommy James & the Shondells cover), “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Everyday People” (Sly & The Family Stone cover)
With the lights out and a strong tantalizing intro increasing the anxiety, the headliners were welcomed to the stage. Heart, fronted by sisters Ann Wilson (lead singer) and Nancy Wilson (guitarist/vocals), was inducted to the rock hall back in 2013. The band spans four decades with the sisters serving as the mainstays since 1974. A ton of hits from which to choose here. The setlist reached back to 1976 and even included their newest song, “Beautiful Broke” (2016). And, much to the crowds adoration, a couple of the hits from the band’s self-titled comeback album in 1985 were featured. It was a powerful performance with overwhelming voices and sounds which resonated through the crowd—a perfect show for the lovers on hand.
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” and “Barracuda”; Encore – “Immigrant Song” (Led Zeppelin cover) and “Stairway to Heaven” (Led Zeppelin cover)
