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August 22, 2025

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Styx and their friends, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and Don Felder of the Eagles, brought their Brotherhood Of Rock tour to Blossom Music Center last night at Blossom Music Center for an evening of classic rock.

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This time out, Styx is performing their multi-platinum selling album The Grand Illusion in it's entirety.  So the first eight songs of their set were played in sequence, starting with "The Grand Illusion" and ending with "The Grande Finale."

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It was a bit odd to hear "Come Sail Away" early in the set as that song is usually played toward the end or during the encore.  But since it is track four on the album, it was the fourth song in the set.  Originally bassist, Chuck Panozzo joined the band on that tune and would make a few appearances throughout the show.

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The second set consisted of their greatest hits including "Too Much Time On My Hands," "The Best of Times" and "Blue Collar Man."  They did manage to fit in "Build and Destroy" from their brand new Circling From Above lp. 

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The band returned, with Panozzo on bass, to end the show with "Mr. Roboto" and the anthem "Renegade."

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Styx proved once again why they should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Tommy Shaw's voice and charisma are still on point while vocalist/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan is a great showman.  

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Kevin Cronin, formally of REO Speedwagon also played a classic album in it's entirety.  He chose REO's biggest selling album Hi Infidelity to play from start to finish.

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Almost the entire first side of the record was released as a single.  "Don't Let Him Go" (#24), "Keep On Loving You" (#1), "In Your Letter" (#20) and "Take It On The Run" (#5).  Only "Follow My Heart" wasn't released, but fans who bought that album, and over three million people did, know that song word for word.

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After the second side of the album was played, Cronin and company of which every member was a part of REO Speedwagon at some point proceeded to play a handful of REO's greatest hits.

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It's a shame that Cronin can no longer play under the name of REO Speedwagon because of legal issues.  He recently stated that after this tour he is disbanding the Kevin Cronin Band and isn't sure what his next step will be.

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He referenced this as he told the audience that in times of uncertainty, you have to keep pushing on and that's what he is going to do.  With that, the band launched into "Keep Pushin'."  

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Actually, almost every song in the greatest hits portion had something to do with his current situation.  "Time For Me To Fly" was very appropriate.  "Ridin' The Storm Out" and "Roll With The Changes" were a very fitting end to a great show.

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Don "Fingers" Felder, formally of the Eagles opened up the show with eight Eagles classic tunes and two songs of his own.

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Still ever nimble on the fretboard, Felder showed his tasty licks on "One Of These Nights" and his great slide work on "The Long Run."

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A new song, "Hollywood Victim" fit in perfectly with the Eagles hits as well as "Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride)."

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However, when Felder broke out the white double neck guitar and began to strum the iconic intro (which he wrote) to "Hotel California" the crowd rose to their feet to sing along and play some air guitar to one of the best songs ever written.

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Three great classic rock acts on a perfect, cool summer evening is all music fans could ask for. 

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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