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Invades the KLOS Helpful Honda Rock Room
March 7, 2025 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
As 2025 unveils what we have in store for the rest of the year, musically speaking of course, KLOS delivered another epic experience for fans at their Helpful Honda Rock Room. This event featured an interview and performance with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Foreigner.
The show was hosted by KLOS’ newest addition to afternoon drivetime, DJ Nik Carter. Being the station’s new kid on the block, Carter opened up the show with a warm introduction. He thanked the fans for all their support and then introduced Foreigner to perform a kick-ass, acoustic, powered-up set.
As the crowd cheered Carter off the stage, and Foreigner walked on to it, we were all excited to see these living legends in person.
In front of us were Jeff Pilson on bass, Michael Bluestein on keys, Bruce Watson handled lead guitar, and Luis Maldonado took on guitar and lead vocals.
The guys took their seats and opened with a very recognizable song, “Double Vision.” The crowd was loud and appreciative and sang along.
As the song ended, the crowd cheered and Carter walked out to ask the guys a few questions. Carter stated they are doing some shows to support the Los Angeles fire victims and reminded the crowd that the Foreigner is now inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The crowd cheered to both proclamations.
Carter then turned to the band and asked about their songs; how much license does Maldonado give himself to interpret the songs, and how they should be delivered. Maldonado said the songs are so well written, you want to stay true to them, and you don’t want to mess that up. The crowd laughed and cheered at this description.
Then he explained what a powered-up acoustic set means to them. He said they did shows at breweries, and during their down time, they would play acoustic together and it sounded great – it became a thing for them and here we are!
When asked what they have coming up, Pilson responded, “We also recorded a Spanish-language version of ‘I Want to Know What Love Is.’ We’re going to South America at the end of April. Lots of touring in 2025 is set and at the end of the year, we’ll be in Canada too. Also, there’s a Foreigner four-box set coming out. So, tons of things going on in 2025 for Foreigner.”
They briefly touched on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and how Mick Jones wasn’t at the event. But it was all good and everyone had a fantastic time, including Jones.
Carter made a joke that his childhood was coming to life; all the posters on his walls were accounted for, including Foreigner. He said he couldn’t believe he was on stage with Foreigner. Pilson then joked, “We can’t believe we’re here with Nik Carter; it’s just the wrong one!” Everyone laughed, including Carter (not the Backstreet Boys Carter). The fact that Carter could laugh at himself just made him that much cooler.
Carter then brought out Todd Peterson, a Special Ops helicopter pilot that fought the LA wildfires. He thanked him for what he and all the first responders did, and the crowd cheered Peterson on like the rock star he is.
Foreigner went back into it with a few of their classic tunes, super-charged acoustic style. They led off with “Feels Like the First Time,” and then Maldonado demonstrated just how epic a guitarist he is when they took us into “Say You Will.”
After that, Pilson told a story about KLOS and Meruelo Media’s CEO, Otto Padron. Pilson set up the story with the backdrop of Padron was in the service, in Afghanistan, and talked about how when he was there, there were moments when the other side would play music. They played it over and over to get them agitated. The punch line was one of the songs Padron would hear over and over was by Foreigner, “Cold as Ice.” Needless to say, they went into “Cold as Ice” as everyone laughed on the opening chorus. The guys just killed it.
The next song was dedicated to all first responders, their classic “Jukebox Hero.” The video show behind the band was of first responders at work during the LA wildfires.
Pilson then took a moment to introduce the next song and again remind everyone what a fantastic job Maldonado does with it.
They dove into “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and what a fantastic rendition of this song! Being in that setting, it made that moment very special for all in attendance.
As we all knew the end of the show was near, Maldonado and the rest of the band waved to the crowd and thanked them for coming out as they launched into “Hot Blooded.”
That was the pinnacle of the event as everyone had their phones up, recording the moment and singing along to every single word of the song.
It was a very good inaugural event for Nik Carter and another great show delivered by KLOS, reminding us why they are the gold standard of rock… well, maybe platinum?
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
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