By Danny Coleman
originally published: 06/19/2014
We've all had various themes, songs, or movies which represent defining moments in life and for many, the music which accompanies these moments is as much a part of them as is the moment itself.
There are certain decades of music which evoke memories or even mental time travel as we are transported back to youth or a certain someone, maybe even a place in which we haven't been in years or hope to be once again. Whatever the case, the possibilities are endless, limited only by our own minds.
"Soundtrack of Summer" is one of these time travel moments as the combined talents and forces of Styx, Foreigner and Don Felder have taken to the road to bring their most revered material back to the masses. "This is one exciting tour!," exclaimed Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson. "The songs from all of these bands, bringing back memories to people; I am crazy proud of it. This is fabulous and promises to be a fabulous summer!"
Pilson rose to prominence in part due to his years of service with the heavy metal band Dokken but being introduced to Foreigner was a matter of fate. "I've been with them for ten years now," he explained. "I wound up joining them because I was working with Jason Bonham on the movie "Rockstar," and we had a blast. Jason is an extremely musical guy and we just clicked; it's like we read each others minds and he introduced me to Mick Jones."
"I really didn't want to do this," said veteran rocker and guitarist Don Felder with a laugh. "At first I didn't know who was involved; one thing I've learned over the years is to balance life, loved ones and golf partners with my music. So when I heard it was Styx and Foreigner, I said, "Sign me up!" Working with Styx is a delight and I had met the guys in Foreigner before so I knew this was going to be good. These shows are four hour rock-a-thons with a lot of people who are really nice. The other twenty hours spent off stage are great. I have a golf partner in Ricky (Phillips) and there are no egos and no drama unlike past situations I've been in; there's a great balance."
Styx bassist Ricky Phillips, in his eleventh year with the band, echoes the sentiments of his touring partners and seems rather amused at his good fortunes. "I joined Styx in 2003. I come from a heavier handed place; it's one of those things you know, I mean with all of the things that I've done, I never thought that I'd end up here," he chuckled. "I always wanted Tommy (Shaw) and I to play together so I am very happy with the way things have turned out. This is a real special combination of musicians."
The tour to this point has been a boost for all involved says Phillips, "There's a little something different every night; I'm kind of excited about it. I like Don (Felder) a lot, his songs, things like "Victim of Love" and "Hotel California," these songs are great! He is so talented and his band is smokin'. Foreigner? I have a couple of close friends in that band. I turned them onto Kelly Hansen and it's one of the reasons that they stay as good as they are. I've known Tom Gimbel for 25 years, we go way back."
Along those very lines, Pilson was a fan of the very band he now is a part of; a turn of events that he is quite happy about. "It's fabulous! It makes music a natural thing playing with these guys. We show such respect and care in our performance for our own music; it is part of the reason this band is so acclaimed. We love the music and we try and play it with love. I've always viewed Foreigner as a hard rock band with great vocals and melodies and now that I'm a part of them, it's great."
All of the bands and their members are very anxious to be doing this together; realizing their longevity and status still appeal to mass audiences, be it through nostalgia or legions of new fans. "I think we now appeal to a broader pallet," says Phillips. "I see 6,7,8 and 10 to 12 year old kids liking our music and singing along with their parents; it's a good feeling."
Felder loves the camaraderie between the bands and the reaction of the audiences as well; even tailoring his set list a bit to reflect his tour mates. "I re-released a CD, "Road to Forever" and I sat down with twenty seven songs; I took the best sixteen and I can honestly say there are no duds in the bunch. The one song, "You Don't Have Me" is a bit heavier and quite appropriate to play on this tour. I can't wait to get out there and be part of this every night we take the stage; the fans are great, I mean who doesn't love Styx and Foreigner?"
Pilson and Phillips both say that fans of their respective bands will not be disappointed when they come to the show. "We change things up every tour. We try to make things different," said Phillips. "We've been doing some material for twenty or thirty years but we also like to throw in a tune such as "Light Up" which die hard Styx fans will know." "As long as Kelly's voice holds out we can keep doing this," says Pilson. "The quality is still there as evident by the crowd reaction so we'll keep bringing our old and new material out."
Felder, who says, "I do this because I love to play music," loves being the lone "solo act" on the bill; allowing him the autonomy that makes it worthwhile. "Being my own act is great! I am my own decision maker, I get to say I will do this or I won't do that; it's not an ego thing, it's just that I value my personal time and what I present to the audiences. I've achieved a nice balance of both and I feel it shows whenever we take the stage."
The "Soundtrack of Summer Tour" will be allowing time travel in a town near you soon. To learn more about the tour, ticket information and the bands, please go to www.soundtrackofsummer.com .
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: [email protected]
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird
Sun. 10 p.m. Spanky's Garage
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. (6:30 p.m.)Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie (7:30 p.m.) Texas Hold'em
Sat. 8 p.m. Larry D
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge
835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington
(609) 267-1200
Fri. 8 p.m. Solus Rex, Alright Junior, Strange Heat, Revolution I Love You
Sat. 8 p.m. Soraia, Foley McKenna Band, Knuckle Puck Time, Gulps
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Orrin Evans Quartet (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night
Sat. 8 p.m. Flatleaver & Friends
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Deb & Mike
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8 p.m. Sammy Flow. $5
Fri. 8 p.m. The Billy Walton Band. $7
Sat. (10 a.m.) The New Hope Liberty Festival (8:30 p.m.) Bigg Romeo
Sun. (4:30 p.m.) Rocky and His Friends (8 p.m.) Local Original Series feat. Colorado Youth
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge
Wed. 8 p.m. Local Original Series feat. Pat Foran, Russell Norkevich, Jerry Feiss
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ernie White Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Tangled
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 8 p.m. Weird Hot
Sat. (3 p.m.) Chowder (9:30 p.m.) The Young Werewolves w/ The Atomic Age
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Agresschen
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Mike & Karly
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Blues in Disguise
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Rob Silvers (8:30 p.m.) The Verdict (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo
All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7 p.m. Joe Kaplow
Fri. (6 p.m.) Jayded John (9 p.m.) Out of The Red
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Slippery Kool
Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry
Wed. 5:30 p.m. Car Show for Prevention
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Lynchburg Renegade
Sat. 9 p.m. Steve (the band)
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Karma Train
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Catch 22
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Out of The Red
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Please check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Sat. 9 p.m. Alright Alright
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 10 p.m. Dan Lavoie
Fri. 10 p.m. The Paper Jets. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. (1 p.m.) Jerry Feiss & The Hosey Brothers (10 p.m.) Universal Rebel. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. (2 p.m.) Lynn Flick Trio (7 p.m.) Open Jam Night
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
About the author:
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJJoe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.
Mccarter At The Museum: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Princeton Art Museum
45 Elm Drive, Princeton, NJJoin us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJThe legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks.
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
