Been watching Tommy Shaw and Kelly Hansen everyday.

[James Lugo]

I DVR'd Styx and Foreigner in concert and have really been enjoying both singers. Kelly has his hands full singing Lou's parts but he does a great job. Some section are out of his comfort zone but he bends his back and rears up and hits them. Funny thing is I've always done that too. Especially when I sang with Nazareth. Some of those songs were so high and raspy. It was crazy. I think back and wonder how lived through it. Kelly must be about 50 y/o and he has done a great job of keeping his voice healthy. He's very methodical when he sings, from an outsider's view he looks trained to me. Really good stuff. And f@@k Tommy Shaw doesn't age, damn. He's 61 y/o, still looks and sings like a kid. To me he's more raw then Kelly but I can see some slight modifications in his singing so he can keep singing that high. A little lighter and heady at times but most of the show he was spot on from the original tracks. Also softening some of his consonance, which I get but kind of bugs me from a fan's perspective. He's pulling the belty stuff back more then he used which makes it easier night in and night out. Doesn't sound as bright and urgent but still good. Anyway just wanted to turn you guys on to these concerts. They are on AXS.

[ronws]

Well, that's because Shaw has a deal with Satan to look and sound so young. Sort of like the process in "Death Becomes Her."

[James Lugo]

Well, that's because Shaw has a deal with Satan to look and sound so young. Sort of like the process in "Death Becomes Her."

 

Crossroads!

[ronws]

I think with these guys, some good technique has kept them viable as singers, even if it resulted in a change of tone from decades ago.

 

Go on youtube and see the series of interviews with Tom Kiefer. People think he gave himself nodes. That is not the case. It turns out that he has paresis on the left side. So, he took lessons and had to unlearn the old bad habits he had developed in getting around the paresis. He did have laser surgeries to take care of bursting blood vessels.

 

And he can still sing and is still working, on his solo tour. Smaller venues, for sure, but "Coming Home" is still awesome.

 

[James Lugo]

Cool video. Love that guy. I saw him open up for Bon Jovi on the last night is Slippery When Wet tour at Irvin Meadows in LA. He was amazing and blew Bon Jovi away. Unfortunately it was the night af an 18 month tour. Jon could barely talk. Terrible show. Ritchie covered music of it and I'm not so much into Sambora's voice.

[Billy Budapest]

Tommy Shaw's a great singer! He's been pretty light on his voice (live) since a little bit before Damn Yankees got together. He really changed his approach the first time that Styx broke up (since he was singing more without DeYoung and Young taking lead vocal spots).  He's got so much great control over his pipes. Rarely belts it out and doesn't really need to. To me, he's become a better singer than he was when he joined Styx.

DeYoung is also doing really well. I've seen a few videos of his shows and he's holding up great too though he also has lightened his approach a bit. Saw him a few months ago and he was great. I only really heard him change the high notes in Mr. Roboto. Everything else was pretty much as recorded. Great singers, both of them.

 

Always liked Keifer and have been following his progress with his voice. Great find. Always loved "Coming Home".

[VideoHere]

Yeah, I can't say Kelly Hanson hasn't done a great job on those tunes (most are down a half). 

 

I wouldn't be a bit surprised though if Mick Jones said to Kelly...."Gotta be a close to Lou as possible."

 

Even Lou said in his book how amazed he was by how Kelly had all his phrasing down.

 

Also, the guy that took Steve Walsh's place is doing a good job too.