July 14, 2025 – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, NY
PHOTOS AND REVIEW BY: NADINE SWIGER
On a warm Monday evening in Syracuse, three legendary forces in classic rock joined together to create a night filled with music, memories, and pure rock ‘n’ roll energy.. The Brotherhood of Rock tour, featuring Don Felder, Kevin Cronin, and Styx, lit up the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview with a triple threat of rock fury that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish.
Don Felder, the former lead guitarist of The Eagles, opened the show with a slick, soulful set packed with hits that have soundtracked generations. Backed by a tight band and effortlessly delivering those iconic guitar parts, Felder rolled through classics like “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Already Gone,” and “One of These Nights.” The band’s harmonies were pitch-perfect, and their chemistry made it feel like they were having just as much fun as the audience. Felder closed the set with the iconic “Hotel California,” his guitar solo still as hair-raising as ever. He’s currently touring in support of his latest release, The Vault – 50 Years of Music, and it’s clear he hasn’t missed a beat.
Kevin Cronin, the voice of REO Speedwagon, brought undeniable energy and warmth to the stage. Touring under his own name and joined by several REO bandmates, Cronin’s performance was an emotional and high-energy journey through REO’s greatest hits. His connection with the fans was immediate, smiling ear to ear, engaging the crowd with every lyric. It’s clear he still loves every second of being on stage. Highlights included “Take It on the Run,” “Roll With the Changes,” “Keep On Loving You,” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” all of which had the entire amphitheater singing along in harmony. His 15-song set was a powerful reminder that great songs, and great performers only get better with time.
Styx closed the night with a show that was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment they hit the stage, their musicianship elevated the night to another level. The band’s legendary harmonies were razor-sharp, their energy was magnetic, and their stage presence filled every inch of the amphitheater from the front row to the very back. With a massive LED screen and light show behind them, they put on a visually stunning, high-octane performance that never let up.
They treated fans to a full run of their iconic Grand Illusion album “The Grand Illusion,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Superstars,” “Come Sail Away” (a standout moment), “Miss America,” “Man in the Wilderness,” “Castle Walls,” and “The Grand Finale.” And they weren’t done. From there, they rolled into more fan favorites like “Rockin’ the Paradise,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” (another crowd-pleaser), “Lady,” “The Best of Times,” “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights),” and even the new track “Build and Destroy.” The encore? An epic one-two punch of “Mr. Roboto” and a soaring, goosebump-inducing “Renegade” that left the crowd roaring and the night etched in memory.
If you’ve ever doubted whether rock is still alive, this show was the answer. These bands aren’t just surviving, they’re thriving, and still delivering shows that remind us why this music matters.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Don Felder:
Kevin Cronin:
STYX:
