THUNDER BAY – Classic rock doesn’t go out of style.
About 5,000 people agreed Friday night, flocking out to the first night of Fort Fest at Fort William Historical Park to hear timeless hits by Tommy Tutone, Blue Oyster Cult and Canadian rock legends Loverboy.
Corey Cano, 58, said seeing some of the biggest bands from the 1970s and 1980s is like a trip back in time.
“I feel young again,” he said. “That’s a big reason why I like to come to these.”
Cano was an attendee at both of the Rock the Fort festivals and said he enjoys attending concerts at the park.
“They put on a good show here,” he said. “They bring in quality.”
FWHP general manager Sergio Buonocore said organizers are pleased with the first day of the festival, though an exact attendance figure was not immediately known.
“We’re very happy,” he said. “The weather turned out fantastic and we have wonderful crowds.”
Tommy Tutone took the stage under threatening skies but the rain held off, with the sun occasionally peeking out to brighten up the grounds.
The band, which launched to fame with 867-5309/Jenny, which hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1981, performed the song as their close which brought fans to their feet.
They gave way to Blue Oyster Cult, the Long Island hard rock band which has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide.
Their 45-minute set list charged up the crowd, which had moved up near the front of the stage to dance to Godzilla and a raucous (Don’t Fear) The Reaper.
That provided the perfect setup for the headlining act, which many in the crowd had waited more than five hours to take the stage.
“I’m excited to see Loverboy because they’re a Canadian institution and I’ve never seen them until (Friday) and I’m really looking forward to it,” Cano said, who added he has been able to attend concerts by most of the classic Canadian bands.
Bounocore said he is expecting the crowd for Saturday night’s set, which is headlined by Poison frontman Bret Michaels, will be even larger.
Gates open at noon and, in addition to the music, will include an afternoon wine tasting and after party in the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory.
The schedule for Saturday's entertainment is listed below:
- 9:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Bret Michaels
- 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Great White
- 6:16 p.m.-7:15 p.m. The Romantics
- 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. Harlequin
- 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Tommy Tutone
- 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. The Redmen
