Concert review and photography by Craig Hunter Ross
If you were to look up American rock music in a dictionary, you may very well find Chicago and Kansas within the definition. Few groups more quintessentially define American rock and roll music.
With a near combined eighty years of classic hits, many of which are standard and permanent fixtures within the classic rock radio rotation, it was more than appropriate that these two American musical giants would provide an evening of their respective hits at The American Freedom Festival just outside of Washington, D.C. at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
Kansas would hold court first as the crowd settled in for what would be an hour of some of rock’s most famous anthems.
Despite the absence of bass player/lead vocalist Billy Greer who had a previously scheduled family commitment, Kansas ripped through their set aided by original bass player, Dave Hope, and guest backing vocalist, Terry Brock.
The set did appear to be adjusted to feature more Steve Walsh [lead vocals/keys] lead vocal numbers, which also resulted in some pleasant additions to the night’s outing.
Songs like “He Knew”, and “Down the Road” kept things bright and lively. Then there were extended jams within several numbers and standbys like “Dust In the Wind”, “Point of Know Return” and “Carry on Wayward Son” that not only had the crowd on its feet most of the set, but also had several members of Chicago on the side of the stage enjoying the incredible musicianship that has given Kansas a cult like following for nearly four decades.
Not to be outdone, Chicago would soon take the stage and launch into “The Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon”, which is comprised of many of their all time early favorites from the Chicago II album; hits like “Make me Smile”, “So Much to Say, So Much to Give” and, of course, “Colour my World”.
The band would treat the crowd to hits from every era of their career with all the popular ballads like “Hard Habit to Break”, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, and “You’re the Inspiration”; but also classic rockers like “I’m a Man”, “Free” and a rousing rendition of “25 or 6 to 4”.
Not only was the evening a celebration of great American music, but it was an evening that paid tribute to, raise funds and show appreciation to America’s heroes…our veterans; and by all accounts, those goals were more than achieved.
GALLERY
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