REO Speedwagon to give classic show

Friday, June 25, 1999 | 3:24 a.m.

REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Peter Frampton will comprise a triple-header of classic rock acts 7 p.m. tonight at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The trio make up the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour '96." REO Speedwagon released its latest album, "Building the Bridge," in July. Co-produced by frontman Kevin Cronin, it is the band's first in six years.

"Not to compare us in any way to the Rolling Stones and 'Voodoo Lounge,' but when I heard that record, that really got me going," Cronin says. "The beauty of it is that it was new; you could tell it was the '90s, but it also sounded like something they did in the '60s.

"It made me feel like, 'Wow, that's what I really want to do with this REO Speedwagon album. Show some growth, show some change but also maintain the spirit of the band.' If you try to change too much, then it's like you're trying too hard. You just have to let the natural changes that happen in life affect you, and don't abandon the things that make you who you are."

REO's publicity machine contends the band's renaissance occurred during the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour '95," when it played sold-out shows at huge outdoor venues with Fleetwood Mac and Pat Benatar, without the benefit of a new album.

That's quite an assessment since no one attends a classic rock concert to hear new music. "Hi Infidelity," which sold 9 million and spawned the hit singles "Keep on Lovin' You" and "Take It on the Run" in 1980, ensured the band's permanent position as a popular touring act.

Frampton is touring in support of "Frampton Comes Alive II," the follow-up to "Frampton Comes Alive," which remains, after 20 years, the best-selling live album of all time (15 million copies).

"I think my best performance will always come out live," he says. "I tend to think over things in the studio. My memorable performances seem to come when I'm not just thinking about it, so I'm always pretty much happy with the live performance, and some nights are special."

Such as the one that produced "Frampton Comes Alive," which yielded three hit singles ("Do You Feel Like I Do," "Baby I Love Your Way" and "Show Me The Way").

The album was recorded in San Francisco in 1975 and released in 1976.

"Right before we recorded 'Frampton Comes Alive' was my most prolific writing period, up until that time," he says.

It took three weeks to write.

"That was a realization. I had definitely come into my own as a writer. 'Frampton' was my best written album up to that time."

Appropriately, "Frampton Comes Alive II" was also recorded in San Francisco. It had to be, Frampton says.

"That town picked up on me before everybody else. That was the reason the first one was done there. There is a special feeling that an SF audience gives you. It's always going to be great in SF. Of course, nothing is ever perfect. That's the excitement about it. Whether you've come 800 miles, or from your home, down to the local gig, whatever it is, the whole day is taken up getting ready for this one two-hour event."

Of the three acts comprising the tour, Foreigner is probably the most prolific hit maker. Its first three albums -- 1977's "Foreigner," 1978's "Double Vision" and 1979's "Head Games" -- sold more than 9 million copies combined. The band is touring in support of a new album, "Mister Lucky."

Tickets are $40, $30 and $24 and can be purchased at the Aladdin box office, 736-0250, and TicketMaster, 474-4000.

REO SPEEDWAGON stars in tonight's classic-rock triple-header.