Classic Rock's Main Event Tour

[Speedwagon]

Hi Journey fans. One of my favorite tours ever was them with Styx and my boyz from REO. I loved that tour. Do any of you have any tales from those shows? The clock ticking down in the background as each band's set was going on was unique.

[jrnyman28]

Sad to say but Journey got their ass handed to them on that tour. They should have rotated the headlining slot. Steve was great (at least when I saw them) but Neal was too self-indulgent and didn't seem to care who else was on the stage with him. "Through the motions" comes to mind. Glen Burtnik was great with Styx and while Kevin talks too much, REO was SOLID!!!

[Ehwmatt]

It was my second time seeing REO and Styx and my first time seeing Journey and it kicked ass. I went on TicketMaster the day of the show and there were two front row tickets waiting to be fuckin bought. Took the hit and sat front row at Blossom in Cuyahoga Falls/Cleveland OH and got rocked. Journey smoked on the night I saw them and REO and Styx weren't far behind.

[epresley]

I saw each of these groups during the early 80s in multi band concerts called the "Texxas Jam" (yes that's how they spelled it). They were never playing together in the same year though. These were the days when an all day concert in a closed arena (the Astrodome) with tons of "smokers" wasn't such a great idea. That and the sound bouncing around the dome. The concerts originated at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and should have never been here in Houston (at least not in the dome).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texxas_Jam

Years later in the late 90s they would have the "classic rock" band grouping concerts at the Woodlands Pavilion. I saw different combinations of REO, Styx, Survivor, etc. together. Some of the other members here help me out and remind me what those were called and what the lineups were. Those were all fairly good shows and you could lay back on the grassy hill and just chill.

I saw the Texxas Jam several times in the Cotton Bowl--'83,'83,'85,'87

[Rick]

I saw each of these groups during the early 80s in multi band concerts called the "Texxas Jam" (yes that's how they spelled it). They were never playing together in the same year though. These were the days when an all day concert in a closed arena (the Astrodome) with tons of "smokers" wasn't such a great idea. That and the sound bouncing around the dome. The concerts originated at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and should have never been here in Houston (at least not in the dome).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texxas_Jam

Years later in the late 90s they would have the "classic rock" band grouping concerts at the Woodlands Pavilion. I saw different combinations of REO, Styx, Survivor, etc. together. Some of the other members here help me out and remind me what those were called and what the lineups were. Those were all fairly good shows and you could lay back on the grassy hill and just chill.

The Cotton Bowl Texxas Jams were miserably hot. I was at the '83 show when Hagar got his guitar stolen. Ted Nugent came on and came running out on stage, slipped on a some water and busted his ass. He never missed a beat though. People scurried out and mopped up the stage. They had water cannons that they would spray the crowd with to help keep them cool. It was a great time.

Triumph, Styx and I think Uriah Heep were there as well.

[Don]

I saw each of these groups during the early 80s in multi band concerts called the "Texxas Jam" (yes that's how they spelled it). They were never playing together in the same year though. These were the days when an all day concert in a closed arena (the Astrodome) with tons of "smokers" wasn't such a great idea. That and the sound bouncing around the dome. The concerts originated at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and should have never been here in Houston (at least not in the dome).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texxas_Jam

Years later in the late 90s they would have the "classic rock" band grouping concerts at the Woodlands Pavilion. I saw different combinations of REO, Styx, Survivor, etc. together. Some of the other members here help me out and remind me what those were called and what the lineups were. Those were all fairly good shows and you could lay back on the grassy hill and just chill.

The Cotton Bowl Texxas Jams were miserably hot. I was at the '83 show when Hagar got his guitar stolen. Ted Nugent came on and came running out on stage, slipped on a some water and busted his ass. He never missed a beat though. People scurried out and mopped up the stage. They had water cannons that they would spray the crowd with to help keep them cool. It was a great time.

Triumph, Styx and I think Uriah Heep were there as well.

That's what they did at the US festival too. 120 degree temps, so the water cannons were being used non stop.

[JRNYFan]

The 2003 shows I went to were the worst Journey shows I've ever seen. The concerts overall were fantastic. I was exhausted before Journey even hit the stage. I think Journey really went through the motions on that tour though.

[hoagiepete]

The 2003 shows I went to were the worst Journey shows I've ever seen. The concerts overall were fantastic. I was exhausted before Journey even hit the stage. I think Journey really went through the motions on that tour though.

My thoughts exactly. It was the biggest let down I've had as a Journey fan. I blamed part of it on me being worn out from REO and Styx, who gave their best performances I have seen in years, but Journey definitely seemed on cruise control. Heard a lot of comments similar to that as we left the arena.

[nutz4Neal]

Hi Journey fans. One of my favorite tours ever was them with Styx and my boyz from REO. I loved that tour. Do any of you have any tales from those shows? The clock ticking down in the background as each band's set was going on was unique.

Tales from that show? Other than being with great friends...the show ROCKED!

Love love Styx, especially Tommy; and REO, especilly Dave.

Oh, and being with my friend, Craig Pitman, at the Atlanta show in the VIP room. RIP, Craig..miss you.

[Luvsaugeri]

AAAhhhhh.......The Main Event was one of my favorite tours!! I started out thinking I was going to hate it......because of less Journey time. And I ended up loving it!!

The best show I saw that year was the last show in Cincinnati. All the bands were having a blast!! They were all coming out and messing around. My friend (who is a big Styx fan) took thongs to throw at them. Tommy Shaw came out at the end of REO's set in a bathrobe and flashed the crowd in one of the thongs my friend threw up there.

Of course the best part was Stevie coming out onstage in a Ohio State jersey and nothing but tennis shoes!! Oh and he came out at one point with just a towel!! Great times!!

[Matthew]

Hi Journey fans. One of my favorite tours ever was them with Styx and my boyz from REO. I loved that tour. Do any of you have any tales from those shows? The clock ticking down in the background as each band's set was going on was unique.

Was this the infamous tour when Journey played on a cruise ship?

[bluejeangirl76]

Of course the best part was Stevie coming out onstage in a Ohio State jersey and nothing but tennis shoes!! Oh and he came out at one point with just a towel!! Great times!!

What the shit!?!

Omg, that's hilarious!

[kellyhansenfan]

That was a great tour. That Cincinnati show was the last show of the tour I believe. Some of the band members had a private party after the show. Steve, Lydia, Neal, John, Kevin, a few of the other members of REO, and some invited guests were there as well. It was quite a funny night....the stories they start to tell when they have had a few drinks! THAT night is one of the main nights I remember from that tour!!

[Luvsaugeri]

That was my only Augeri show and I thought he was good, but after seeing Arnel this past tour he's heads above Steve A. JMHO.

Hmmm.....and my opinion is the exact opposite.

[nutz4Neal]

AAAhhhhh.......The Main Event was one of my favorite tours!! I started out thinking I was going to hate it......because of less Journey time. And I ended up loving it!!

The best show I saw that year was the last show in Cincinnati. All the bands were having a blast!! They were all coming out and messing around. My friend (who is a big Styx fan) took thongs to throw at them. Tommy Shaw came out at the end of REO's set in a bathrobe and flashed the crowd in one of the thongs my friend threw up there.

Of course the best part was Stevie coming out onstage in a Ohio State jersey and nothing but tennis shoes!! Oh and he came out at one point with just a towel!! Great times!!

Of all the great memories of that tour, that was one of them, Kel...sigh.

[Rhiannon]

Wh... where are his britches?

[Glenn]

Sad to say but Journey got their ass handed to them on that tour. They should have rotated the headlining slot. Steve was great (at least when I saw them) but Neal was too self-indulgent and didn't seem to care who else was on the stage with him. "Through the motions" comes to mind. Glen Burtnik was great with Styx and while Kevin talks too much, REO was SOLID!!!

I was at the Dallas show of that tour...REO stole the show plain and simple...Kevin may have talked alot, but they blew the roof of the place.

The reviewer from the Dallas Morning News stated that while Journey was good, Steve A could learn a few things about being a front man from Kevin.


Styx was cool...First time seeing that lineup. Not a Larry guy, but the show itself was cool, since they played tunes off of their new cd.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

Arrowfest! - That's what they called the ones at the Woodlands Pavilion in Houston. The 2003 version had the lineup you mentioned - Styx, REO, Journey. Didn't make that show but had seen REO there a few years before and it was my first time seeing KC since he went blonde!

I've seen REO several times since the early 80's but around '85 or '86 they were playing at the Southern Star Amphitheater at ASTROWORLD. I think it was during their Wheels Are Turnin' tour. I have to admit after seeing them play in such a venue I thought their days were over, but 20 something years later they are still going so my hats off to them. Plus didn't they have a song in the soundtrack of an animated feature in the last year or so?

yup. that was the 1st time I had seen STYX and REO. I had never paid attention to STYX before so I kinda ignored them. I just waited to hear JOURNEY!!! get off the stage!! hehe. I HATED REO before that but they were really good live. KC is a great entertainer and not all of REO is stupid radio pop. I was impressed.

Survivor was there too. and the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS!!!! they were on 1st!! awesome!!

funny story---Kevin Cronin came out on stage, walks around eating a salad and just stood in the middle looking at JY while he was singing. JY looks at him and finally offers him the mike. KC puts the salad down and starts singing. it was so funny.

[Ehwmatt]

Arrowfest! - That's what they called the ones at the Woodlands Pavilion in Houston. The 2003 version had the lineup you mentioned - Styx, REO, Journey. Didn't make that show but had seen REO there a few years before and it was my first time seeing KC since he went blonde!

I've seen REO several times since the early 80's but around '85 or '86 they were playing at the Southern Star Amphitheater at ASTROWORLD. I think it was during their Wheels Are Turnin' tour. I have to admit after seeing them play in such a venue I thought their days were over, but 20 something years later they are still going so my hats off to them. Plus didn't they have a song in the soundtrack of an animated feature in the last year or so?

yup. that was the 1st time I had seen STYX and REO. I had never paid attention to STYX before so I kinda ignored them. I just waited to hear JOURNEY!!! get off the stage!! hehe. I HATED REO before that but they were really good live. KC is a great entertainer and not all of REO is stupid radio pop. I was impressed.

Survivor was there too. and the FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS!!!! they were on 1st!! awesome!!

funny story---Kevin Cronin came out on stage, walks around eating a salad and just stood in the middle looking at JY while he was singing. JY looks at him and finally offers him the mike. KC puts the salad down and starts singing. it was so funny.

Why the fuck didn't JY give him a pizza to eat.

[stevew2]

The 2003 shows I went to were the worst Journey shows I've ever seen. The concerts overall were fantastic. I was exhausted before Journey even hit the stage. I think Journey really went through the motions on that tour though.

I agree totally,the guitar player in my band said the thing{that was before i knew him}.it was to much of a good thing. Styks was all over the stage,and in the audience. and Neal stood there like a retard and never reacted to the crowd or anyone in the band.The Pittburg show was better.Journey should have never gone on last.people were to drunk and tired and hearing 2 good bands

[DrFU]

Hi Journey fans. One of my favorite tours ever was them with Styx and my boyz from REO. I loved that tour. Do any of you have any tales from those shows? The clock ticking down in the background as each band's set was going on was unique.

Was this the infamous tour when Journey played on a cruise ship?

Yes, I went on that cruise, and it was freakin' awesome. Tropical islands by day, shows from your favorite rockers at night ... rock stars in the casinos, on the shore excursions, hanging out in the bars. Wish they'd do it again.

[Speedwagon]

I didn't realize they played a cruise - that's awesome! There is another rock cruise called "The Rock Boat" that runs out of Florida with bands like Sister Hazel. While I've never saw the attraction of going on a cruise, if some bands I liked where on it, I'd think about throwing down the dough and going. Great stories everyone, by the way.

[Arkansas]

Wh... where are his britches?

You're assuming those are his legs?


later~