ANNA MARIA – Classic rocker Lou Gramm brought the crowd at The Center of Anna Maria Island to its feet with thunderous applause during a stop on his Juke Box Hero tour.
Gramm took to the stage with his band after an acoustic set from local musician Billy Rice of the Billy Rice Band. Playing all of his solo hits along with a selection of classic rock staples from his time with Foreigner, Gramm brought the crowd to its feet for the majority of his two-hour set.
Gramm and his band kicked things off with the Foreigner classic “Head Games” before playing “Double Vision,” “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and “Urgent” among others.
The highlight of the show was when five members of the choir from Roser Memorial Community Church joined Gramm and his band onstage to sing Foreigner’s number one smash hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
When Gramm launched into a rendition of “Juke Box Hero,” the entire crowd came to its feet and didn’t sit down as the show continued with the solo hit “Midnight Blue” and ended with a performance of “Hot-Blooded.”
The next show coming to The Center’s stage as a part of the Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series is Don Felder, former lead guitarist for The Eagles, on Feb. 20. Tickets are on sale now.
The concert series is brought to the Island’s stage by Bradenton Area Arts & Culture, Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages and The Sandbar. Proceeds from the shows at The Center go to benefit the nonprofit, supporting community programs on Anna Maria Island.