What\u2019s more important: The brand or the band?<\/p>\n
Two classic rock bands have announced a joint tour, including an Upstate New York concert. Lynyrd Skynyrd<\/a> and Foreigner <\/a>will bring their \u201cDouble Trouble Double Vision\u201d tour to the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 23, 2026.<\/p>\n Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster<\/a>. Fans can also look for tickets on Vivid Seats<\/a>, StubHub<\/a> and Seat Geek<\/a>.<\/p>\n But something\u2019s missing: Neither of the co-headlining acts have any original members.<\/p>\n \u201cAssuming Lou Gramm doesn\u2019t do these dates, pretty sure this will be the first tour ever where neither headline band has any original members,\u201d SiriusXM radio host Eddie Trunk wrote <\/a>on Facebook. \u201cWhich supports my brand over band theory and how no band will ever have to end if people don\u2019t care who is or isn\u2019t in the lineup. Not being critical here, more an observation on where classic rock is today and its ability to be sold. I think fans should care about who is or isn\u2019t in a band and what they are actually seeing and hearing, but from a business standpoint interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n Lynyrd Skynyrd currently features lead singer Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of late original vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke, who first became a member in the early 1970s. The rest of the lineup includes Damon Johnson, Mark \u201cSparky\u201d Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Robbie Harrington, Peter Keys, Carol Chase, and Stacy Plunk.<\/p>\n Foreigner, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, now features Luis Maldonado<\/a> on lead vocals after longtime frontman Kelly Hansen<\/a> bid farewell in October. Co-founding guitarist Mick Jones<\/a> is still considered an official member, but no longer performs due to Parkinson\u2019s disease; the current touring band features Maldonado with Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitars), and Chris Frazier (drums).<\/p>\n Lou Gramm<\/a>, the original voice of Foreigner, has reunited with the band at a handful of shows in the past year. However, he\u2019s not being promoted as part of the tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd and recently said he plans to retire in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been doing this over 54 years, [including with my initial group] Black Sheep<\/a>,\u201d the Rochester native said<\/a> last month. \u201cI just feel like there\u2019s some other things that I want to do. I want to spend more time with my children \u2014 my older children and my younger child \u2014 and spend more time playing with my cars while I\u2019m still capable of driving… I think in this business, you just know when it\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n But if the songs are still great, does it matter? Both Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame groups that have remained popular for five decades. Foreigner hits include \u201cHot Blooded,\u201d \u201cCold as Ice,\u201d \u201cI Want to Know What Love Is,\u201d and \u201cFeels Like the First Time,\u201d while Skynyrd favorites include \u201cSweet Home Alabama,\u201d \u201cFree Bird,\u201d \u201cSimple Man\u201d and \u201cGimme Three Steps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to share the stage with Foreigner and hear all their amazing hits! I\u2019ve always been a fan, and I believe the audience will love this tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner together,\u201d Van Zant said in a statement<\/a>. \u201dIt doesn\u2019t get much better than that. See y\u2019all in 2026!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe energy the band has felt knowing we\u2019ll be touring with Skynyrd this coming summer has been electric,\u201d Pilson added. \u201cTwo bands with plenty of iconic songs, dueling guitars, double trouble and double vision are gonna set each and every stage on fire! No question this will be the go-to event of the summer!\u201d<\/p>\n Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner tour dates<\/p>\n July 23 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre<\/p>\n July 24 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion<\/p>\n July 25 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live<\/p>\n July 26 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center<\/p>\n July 30 – Toronto, Ontario @ RBC Amphitheatre<\/p>\n July 31 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre<\/p>\n Aug. 01 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater<\/p>\n Aug. 06 – Saint Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater<\/p>\n Aug. 07 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center<\/p>\n Aug. 08 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center<\/p>\n Aug. 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Morton Amphitheater<\/p>\n Aug. 16 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater<\/p>\n Aug. 20 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion<\/p>\n Aug. 21 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater<\/p>\n Aug. 22 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center<\/p>\n Aug. 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center<\/p>\n Aug. 27 – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion<\/p>\n Aug. 28 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion<\/p>\n Aug. 29 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. 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