Despite soggy weather and a venue too small for the crowd crammed around the stage, ’70s band Foreigner still managed to rock the New York State Fair. On Sunday, the band best known for defining arena rock presented a show typical of the music genre, featuring loud guitar riffs, catchy beats and anthem-style songs designed to make the whole audience pump its fist in the air.

‘Their music’s awesome,’ said Avery White, 18, of Syracuse. ‘I’m a musician myself, and I love them.’

White was one of thousands of fans packed around Chevrolet Court for the free show, although rain from earlier in the day had the dedicated crowd slopping through mud. To the audience’s delight, Foreigner opened the show with its ageless salute to intoxication, ‘Double Vision,’ and for the rest of the night the crowd was spellbound by the band’s enthusiastic performance.

Steve Akers, 44, of Syracuse, who had seen Foreigner twice before, including once at the Carrier Dome in 1982, was excited to hear the band again.

‘I’d pay to see them if they were in the grandstand,’ said Akers, referencing the larger Fair stage where bands were playing $40-per-ticket shows. ‘I like classic rock-the percussion and guitar.’

Mick Jones, the only remaining original member of Foreigner, demonstrated why he’s an underrated guitarist with strong solos during the songs ‘Starrider’ and ‘Juke Box Hero.’ On drums was Jason Bonham, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Bonham received rousing applause as he pounded out the beginning to his father’s classic drum solo, ‘Moby Dick.’

Jeff Pilson, the former bassist of Dokken, and keyboardist Jeff Jacobs both flourished on their instruments, and rhythm guitarist Thom Gimbel sent the crowd into a frenzy, playing the impressive saxophone solo in the song ‘Urgent.’

However, the most striking member of the band might have been Foreigner’s new lead singer, Kelly Hansen. Hansen had the imposing task of replacing former lead singer Lou Gramm, but had no problem matching Gramm’s voice and hitting all the right notes.

Tom and Gabbie Hartung, who live in Gramm’s hometown of Rochester, were astounded by Hansen’s performance.

‘It’s amazing, I mean I was surprised,’ said Tom Hartung, 45, who attended the same high school as Gramm. ‘I was kind of wondering how it would turn out, but it sounds just like him (Gramm). They did a hell of a job.’

Unfortunately for fans, the show lasted under an hour and a half, possibly because it was Foreigner’s second fair show of the day. Also, a notable omission from the set list was Foreigner’s only number-one hit ‘I Want to Know What Love Is.’

By the time Foreigner transitioned ‘Juke Box Hero’ into Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love,’ another John Bonham tribute, it seemed every single hand in the vicinity was balled into a fist and thrust toward the sky.

‘Without a doubt it seemed like everybody totally enjoyed it,’ Hartung said. ‘I didn’t see anybody walk away. I was totally shocked by how good they are.’

Published on September 3, 2006 at 12:00 pm