Gina Catalano
Arts Editor
“Music triggers memory, as strong as any of the senses. Smell is the strongest sense that will send you back in time. I think music or sound is the second strongest. And these are above looking at a picture, above visual. These senses are more powerful. If you have a memory that’s attached to a certain song in your mind you really sort of really remember how it’s supposed to sound.”
Tom Gimbel has an extensive résumé, including Aerosmith, “Saturday Night Live,” “Wayne’s World,” and since 1992, Foreigner.
“It’s osmosis. You become part of the band. I think Mick (Jones) really runs his band like a family and initially it was a ‘getting to know each other’ phase between ’92 and ’93 and I had to jump back to Aerosmith for ’94. But it was ’95 when they asked me to come back again; that’s when he gave a big embrace and said ‘you’re with us now’.”
Through Aerosmith and Foreigner he has managed to become well-versed on guitar, keyboards, saxophone and background vocals. In between all of that he majored in jazz composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Since 1976, Foreigner has been led by musician Mick Jones, who is the founder and primary songwriter.
“He’s such a really good example and it makes it easy to follow that example,” Gimbel says.
Jones, coming from England, brought a British rock background with elements of folk mixed in. Although the lineup has changed in terms of original and touring members, this is not what you would consider a tribute band.
“It’s his vision and always will be,” Gimbel says.
Gimbel goes on to explain that despite the lack of original members, Jones looks to his newer bandmates to bring their own creativity to the live shows and encourages them to do their own thing. Jones doesn’t want the 2013 Foreigner to be a carbon copy of the 1976 Foreigner – he wants each member to feel like they belong. It’s a family, and that’s how they operate.
In terms of how they relate with audience, they “drink them in” as Gimbel explains, allowing them to be an active part of the show. He relates the concert experience to meeting up with old friends while making new friends.
“That kind of attitude is one that draws people in and makes them want to stay with you as opposed to ‘yeah I saw them once, they were OK’,” said Gimbel.
With an enticing combination of complex chord structures and heartfelt singing and songwriting, Foreigner’s last show of 2013 was a memorable one at Pfeiffer Hall.
Each song was played exactly as seasoned fans remember them and had enough energy on stage to entertain the youngest of audience members.
The night was filled with talented individuals, including the Neuqua Valley Girls Ensemble, who won a contest to perform on stage with Foreigner.
After nearly 40 years of Foreigner, it’s clear this band is here to stay.
As long as the fans keep showing up and Jones keeps writing hit songs, this family has nothing to worry about.
