The Grammy award winning singer Kenny Loggins took the stage at the Mohegan Sun Arena on September 14th for his 2023 “This Is It” tour and gave the crowd a concert they are sure to remember. Loggins has been a crowd pleaser and hit artist since the 70’s and continues to be popular even though he has decided to stop full-time touring at the end of this one.
“It’s been an amazing journey since starting with Jimmy Messina in 1971, and I’m fortunate to have had such a long touring career,” Loggins said in a statement on his website. “I don’t see this as the end of my professional career, but certainly a halt to the grind of major touring.”
Loggins and his band launched the concert with “Keep the Fire.” Then onto “Heart to Heart” which he co-wrote with Michael McDonald. He continued his collaboration with McDonald when they got together again and wrote the “This Is It.” The duo won a Grammy for “This Is It,” although they didn’t write more together it launched Loggins into a new phase of his career.
Loggins’ band is a blend of excellent musicians from all over the country. They included guitarist Scott Bernard, drummer David Salinas, keyboardist Rob Arthur, guitarist Rick Cowlin, bassist Wade Biery and on Saxaphone was David Freeman.
Loggins’ voice has aged well and at 75 he still sounded wonderful as he sang many crowd-pleasing songs like “Heart to Heart” and “Keep the Fire. ” He and the band made beautiful melodies and meshed well together.
He told a few short stories as he introduced some of the songs and you could tell he was reflecting on his life and career that has spanned many decades. It must be an emotional thing knowing you have decided to hang up the touring life that becomes ingrained in so many performers. But, making the right choice to spend time with family is one many can appreciate and applaud. He also has mentioned before he plans to continue to stay active in the music industry and mentor younger singers. He is also going to produce music without the added strain of touring.
He reflected on the love of family and its meaning prior to singing “Return to Pooh Corner” and how now there is more meaning now that it involved his grandchildren not just children. The audience of course sang right along with him on the song that most know every word to all the songs he played at this performance.
By the time Loggins ended the show and came back for the encore the audience was still wanting more. As the first few notes of the encore “Danger Zone” started part of the crowd that was not already up and standing jumped to their feet to cheer the band on through the song which then led straight into “Footloose” and the crowd was dancing in the isles clapping and singing along. Loggins and the band just amped it up with the crowd clearly and pleased with the reaction to the songs.
To end a touring career with such fun and a great concert is a treat. He is going out in style and I’m so glad to be able to go full circle from seeing him in concert in the mid 1970’s seeing one of his final tour dates decades later. I’m glad to have taken this journey with Kenny Loggins all these years.
For more information on Kenny Loggins and the rest of his available tour dates see Home – Kenny Loggins
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist:
Keep the Fire
Heart to Heart
This Is It
It’s About Time
What a Fool Believes
Whenever I Call You Friend
Return to Pooh Corner
Danny’s Song (Loggins and Messina song)
If You Believe
Celebrate Me Home
Conviction of the Heart
I’m Alright
Encore:
Danger Zone
Footloose
Forever
