The best concerts of the week | Houston Press

With Styx and Foreigner taking the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion stage this week, it seems like a good time to think about what Perry Mason might call The case of the missing musicians. In the case of Styx, only two musicians remain from the “classic line-up”, guitarists James Young and Tommy Shaw. Foreigner has only one original member, founder Mick Jones, and he only plays with the band when he can, due to Parkinson’s disease.

With age and the health issues that come with it, this is not an uncommon situation for many classic rock bands that are still touring. But what about cases where there is no connection between the currently touring act and the band’s origins, aside from the name?

This is the case of the group of musicians which is now called The Guess Who. The band was supposed to play this Saturday at the House of Blues, but a recent business decision by original Guess Who singer and songwriter Burton Cummings has put the kibosh on that and other shows. Although Cummings has no legal recourse to stop the Guess Who “cover band” from performing under that name, he East both songwriter and publisher of many of the original group’s hits, and as such he refused permission for his songs to be performed in a commercial setting. Will this cost Cummings money? Yes. Does he care? No, at least not in the face of maintaining his musical legacy. That’s an “eff you” for books.

Ticket alert
With punchy piano, Gulf Coast boogie and scintillating vocals, it’s scientifically and medically impossible not to have a good time at a Marcia Ball show. OK, that last statement is not endorsed by the American Medical Association or any other reputable organization, but I will stand by it. You can find out for yourself by grabbing tickets – on sale now – to his show at Main Street Crossing on Tuesday, October 22.

Twenty years ago, a Swedish guitarist arrived on our shores with the intention of revolutionizing the art of the electric guitar. And you know what? He pretty much did it! We’re talking about Yngwie Malmsteen here – sorry, it’s Yngwie J.. Malmsteen – who just announced a 40th anniversary tour that will stop at Warehouse Live Midtown on Monday, November 4, with tickets on sale now. Although the neoclassical shredder has certainly matured as an artist and person, Malmsteen himself admits that he was a bit difficult early in his career. Especially when the other passengers on the planes displeased him.

Concerts this week
Tonight at the House of Blues, Drive By Truckers (the band from Athens, GA who are not REM) will celebrate the 2002 double album Southern rock opera with a full-throttle performance, something the band members say will likely never happen again after this current tour. Because knowledge is power: Jason Isbell, the versatile American stud, played guitar with the Truckers in the early days. To learn more about Drive By Truckers, check out Bob Ruggiero’s article about the group here.
“Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Well, I have. So spoke Jimi Hendrix, ushering in a new era of rock and roll and changing the art of the guitar. If you If you missed it the first time, or if you can’t resist wallowing in some early psychedelia again, head over to the Miller Outdoor Theater on Saturday, when the Classic Albums Live ensemble performs Jimi’s debut album . Are you experienced, “note for note, cut for cut”. The show is free and covered seats can be obtained here.
As mentioned, classic rock stalwarts Styx and Foreigner are on a headlining tour this summer, performing Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. (Check out Bob Ruggiero’s concert preview here.) Neither band was ever a critical favorite, but both sold a ton of records and amassed loyal fans during their decades-long careers . Foreigner will (finally) be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this fall, and since the former rolling stone Publisher Jann Wenner was kicked off the Rock Hall board, so maybe there’s a chance for Styx too. However, any ceremony involving (extremely) former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung and the band’s current members would definitely be tricky!
What can you say about Steve Earle? He is a singer, songwriter, producer, novelist, actor and broadcaster, succeeding in all his endeavors. Earle is going to release a new album, Alone Again (Live) next month, and you can preview the disc Tuesday at Main Street Crossing in Tomball. Or if you want to keep it in the Loop, Earle will also be performing Thursday, June 27 at the Heights Theater, so there’s no excuse to miss that opportunity.