Guitars wailed and fists shook in the air as smoke engulfed an audience that proved the '80s never died.
The first night of Common Ground was met with a milestone: the first sold-out crowd in the event's four-year history. By the time the gates opened at 5:30 p.m., lines nearly a block long formed at each of the two entrances.
Armed with Gibson Les Paul and Flying V guitars, the Larry McCray Band took the stage promptly at 7 p.m. With rockin', funky electric blues, the night of wailing guitars was just beginning.
Boston owned the stage from the instant founding member Tom Scholz opened with "The Star Spangled Banner" as the backdrop fell to reveal the seven other members of the band.
Following a song off their latest release, "Corporate America," Boston gave the audience the classic rock songs they wanted to hear, including "Rock and Roll Band," "Take A Look Ahead," "Don't Look Back" and "More Than A Feeling," all before they hit the middle of their 1 1/2 hour set.
Boston definitely rocks kicking out of car speakers and radios, but hearing the band live truly does its members justice, as they belted out memorable guitar leads and vocals. Drummer Jeff Neal pounded out beats that demanded not one but two bass drums, filling the air in the blocks around the festival site.
Equally impressive was the versatility of the band members, with new bassist Kimberley Dahme switching to acoustic for her own song, and guitarist Gary Pihl switching to organ.
Common Ground proved popular among generations, as families rocked out in lawn chairs and up and down the aisles.
On stage, it was a family affair as well, for Larry McCray and brother Steve McCray on drums. And in Boston, guitarist Anthony Cosmo teamed up with his father, lead vocalist Fran Cosmo.
So get your lighters out, Lansing, we've still got six more nights of Common Ground.