CMAC August 15, 2012
By Scott Cordaro
For those who think the 80′s revival is over, tell that to the 10,000 people who showed up CMAC last Wednesday night to rock out with Journey, Pat Benatar and Loverboy. If you remember slow dancing to “ Open Arms,” or driving down the highway cranking “ Stone In Love,” then you were in for ride down memory lane.
With Journey as the main attraction, people gathered to hear the new singer Arnel Pineda sing some of the classics. As he hit the stage with original members Neal Schon, Ross Valory and longtime keyboardist Johnathan Cain, the group ripped through a strong 90 minute set that included “ Wheel In The Sky,” “Anyway You Want It “ and “Lights.”
The night really belonged to the new kid Arnel Pineda, the You Tube sensation with his youthful energy dancing around the stage. When Pineda slowed things down and sang the opening notes to “Faithfully,” you could just tell he had won the crowd over. His vocals were as close as you could get to the original and at times seemed like the record.
Journey ended strong with some of their biggest hits “ Don’t Stop Believin,” “Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin’” and “Separate Ways.”
Opening act Pat Benatar proved once again that you don’t need a large production to deliver an outstanding show. With a voice as strong as I’ve heard in a long time and a guitar wizard husband, Benatar killed it playing one hit after another. Finishing the show with the crowd pleasing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” really had the crowd in a frenzy.
The night started with Loverboy, and sadly I was caught in traffic and was only able to catch the last two numbers. I will say that Mike Reno sounded very strong on the hit song “Working for the Weekend”.
With nearly four solid hours of hits by some of the greatest bands of the 80′s – Loverboy, Pat Benatar and Journey – this show left you with plenty of “ I Remember” moments.
