BLACKFOOT toured the world from 1970 through 1994 with various members moving in and out of their lineup. However, the most commercially successful version of the band consisted of Ricky Medlocke on vocals/guitar, Charlie Hargrett on lead guitar, Greg T. Walker on bass, and Jakson Spires on drums from 1973 to 1983. Unfortunately for me, other than the single opportunity to see them perform in 1980- sandwiched between MARSEILLE and NAZARETH at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana- BLACKFOOT did not perform anywhere in proximity to me again for over 26 years. So, when I heard BLACKFOOT would be co-headlining a show with MOLLY HATCHET at Forest Hills Lodge in Rockford, Illinois- just an hour's drive away- I made sure I was there!

Since the core line-up dissolved in 1983, Medlocke went back and rejoined LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Hargrett teamed with MOLLY HATCHET's Jimmy Farrar to create BLACK MOLLY, and Walker and Spires toured as the rhythm section for the SOUTHERN ROCK ALL STARS. However, over the many years, Southern rock music fans wanted so badly to see the most popular incarnation of BLACKFOOT reform that thousands ended up signing an online petition to encourage the guys give it another shot.

In 2004, the band listened to their fans. Hargrett, Walker, and Spires were all on board for the reunion, but Medlocke declined to participate and remain with SKYNYRD. Veteran rocker, Bobby Barth, yes, the same Bobby Barth who composed, played guitar, and sang the 1981 classic song "Rock 'N' Roll Party in the Streets" while in the British band AXE, took the open front man slot that Medlocke turned down. Ironically, Barth was in BLACKFOOT one time prior, as a keyboardist during the mid 80's after the core lineup had dissolved. Tragically, after only six performances as the reformed BLACKFOOT, Jakson "Thunderfoot" Spires suffered a massive aneurysm and died on March 16, 2005. However, before his passing, Spires was able to assist his band mates in appointing Christoph Ullmann as his successor to the BLACKFOOTv drum throne.

I arrived at the venue in Rockford early enough to catch the last song of BLACKFOOT's sound check. However, I was surprised to see five musicians on stage instead of the projected four members in BLACKFOOT. After the sound check was completed, I introduced myself to Greg T. Walker and had a nice conversation with the humble bassist. When I asked about the fifth member of the band, Greg T. explained to me that Bobby Barth had missed some recent tour dates due to health reasons and that the band asked vocalist/guitarist Jay Johnson to join them for a few gigs. Johnson's Southern rock roots can be traced back to the ROSSINGTON-COLLINS BAND and the SOUTHERN ROCK ALL STARS. Once Barth was able to return, the band unanimously agreed that Johnson had added a renewed energy as BLACKFOOT's front man, so the decision was made to ask him to stay on and he eagerly accepted.

The Forest Hills Lodge concert setup was more in line with a wedding reception than a rock concert, but the sound inside the venue was excellent. It was evident from the first chords of "Good Morning" that BLACKFOOT still knew how to play live music. Charlie Hargrett's foot stompin', hard rockin', axe-slinging style was exactly as I had remembered from the 6 foot 4 inch guitar giant. Greg T. Walker appeared dressed in his full Native American tribal costume with a BLACKFOOT logo headband controlling his waist-length brown hair. Christoph's mastery of the BLACKFOOT songs would make his mentor "Thunderfoot" proud.

Bobby Barth's veteran presence filled a variety of needs including both lead and backing vocals as well as both lead and rhythm guitars depending on the song. For example, Barth, now a resident of New Orleans, did a nice bluesy slide guitar solo before the rest of the band joined in for a short jam that led into "Baby Blue," from their best selling album "Strikes." Bobby was also featured as the vocalist for a newly written song entitled "Sunshine Again," which was dedicated to the recently fallen Southern rock brothers Spires, Leon Wilkeson of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, and Duane Roland of MOLLY HATCHET fame.

Greg T.'s previously mentioned renewed energy from Jay Johnson was very evident to everyone at the show. Johnson's energetic style worked especially well in combination with Hargrett's stage presence. In addition, Johnson's vocal style was a nice replacement for Medlocke's missing pipes on the memorable BLACKFOOT classics such as "Left Turn On A Red Light", "Train, Train", and of course, "Highway Song".

Even with all of the differences previously mentioned between the classic line up and the current members within BLACKFOOT, the live songs are still as powerful as ever. Based on the crowd response throughout the one and a half hour set, anyone who just came to see the closing co-headliner MOLLY HATCHET also walked off into the night as a BLACKFOOT fan. With any luck, not one of them will have to wait 26 more years to see BLACKFOOT again.