The Antelope Valley Fair Association has announced that Don Felder and Foreigner will perform in the Palmdale Auto Mall Concert Series for the 78th annual Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival scheduled Aug. 19-28. Also on tap in the Miller Lite Grandstand Area will be Grammy-nominated Country music star Hunter Hayes with special guest Cam.
Don Felder will open for Foreigner on Aug. 22. Felder, a former lead guitarist for the Eagles, is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and originated the music and co-wrote “Hotel California” which became one of the group’s biggest hits. Felder also wrote the songs “Victim of Love” and “Those Shoes,” and his signature guitar work can also be heard on the hits “One of These Nights” and “New Kid in Town.” The Gainsville, Fla., native has performed with a variety of music legends, including The Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and often with an old friend, Stephen Stills.
“Who ever thought that a guitar player from Gainesville would go on to be in the Eagles, and then become a best selling author,” Felder said years ago. Felder’s 2009 book “Heaven and Hell: My Life With the Eagles 1974-2001” became a best seller. The book provides a unique, inside view of the triumphs and tribulations of the Eagles over the years, and after his official departure from the group in 2001, Felder wrote, “Now I was forced to reflect on my life … I found I needed to go out and play music again.”
Foreigner has 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 10 singles. Universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts, Foreigner has sold more than 75 million albums. Among their biggest hits are “Juke Box Hero,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice” and the worldwide hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Mick Jones, the group’s founder and lead guitarist, is a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and is considered one of rock’s greatest musicians. A native of London, England, Jones formed Foreigner in 1976 with fellow Brits Ian McDonald and Dennis Elliot, along with American vocalist Lou Graham. A few years ago Jones explained the lure and popularity of Foreigner:
“My initial vision for foreigner was to combine Blues and R&B with British Rock and make it sound soulful and authentic,” he said. “I grew up in England, but I was also inspired by many elements of American music, from Mississippi blues to country and western. Foreigner was the vehicle to get that musical blend across.”
Over the years, rock fans have said that Jones’ solo on “Hot Blooded” is one of the best ever. Jones said the time spent working on that song was both “difficult and rewarding.”
“When doing the ‘Hot Blooded’ solo, I did my damnedest to set the amp on fire, which is what originally happened.” he said. “I simply turned it up to ‘11’ and kicked it.”
Foreigner includes Jones on lead guitar, Kelly Hansen (lead vocals), Tom Gimbel (rhythm guitar/saxophone), Jeff Pilson (bass), Mike Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (rhythm guitar) and Chris Frazier on drums.
Hunter Hayes, who will perform on Aug. 23, has been a popular singer-songwriter since the 2011 release of his self-titled album. He reached number seven on the Billboard 200, number one on the Top Country Albums chart and sold more than 1.1 million copies. His second album, “Storyline,” was released in 2014 and features the hit single “Invisible.” In 2012, Hayes received the New Artist of the Year award from the Country Music Association.
Tickets for both shows go on sale April 5 and can be purchased by visiting www.avfair.com. Prices range from $20 to $80 and include admission to the fair. Grandstand seating is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds are located at 2551 W. Avenue H.
