Sweet Dreams In The Summer of '69: Pop and Rock Legends Play Pittsburgh

Among the most powerful things provided by music is a generational throughline. A rare breed of artists have the ability to craft songs that can connect people, regardless of age. The music from these artists engenders a feeling of unity and happiness for all that bear witness. Nowhere was this more present than at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Friday night as Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams showed that people of all generations love solid, classic music. Between the two sets, folks young and young at heart were entranced by the power of brilliant songwriting and excellent performance. 

Dave Stewart is one-half of the 80s pop duo Eurythmics, alongside powerhouse vocalist Annie Lennox. The duo started in 1980 and reached mainstream success with their sophomore release Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) in 1983. The album, which featured the song "Sweet Dreams," is a bass-synth lead pop masterpiece that achieved global acclaim. 

The duo went on to release Touch in 1984 with the American Top 10 single "Here Comes The Rain Again," which fused modern synthesizer production with classical elements. Two other releases, Be Yourself Tonight in 1985 and Revenge in 1986 featured several hits, including "Would I Lie to You?," "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves," and "Missionary Man." They parted ways in the early 1990s and engaged in solo work, until 1999's Peace. Since the early 2010s, only sporadic reunions have occurred, with possibly the most important being their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Stewart has produced numerous records for the likes of Bon Jovi (co-production on 1997's Destination Anywhere), Mick Jagger (several tracks on 1987's Primitive Cool), and Daryl Hall (co-producer on Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine). 

Stewart's current band, the Eurythmics Songbook, is a powerful force. Made up entirely of women, with the exception of Stewart himself, each player is a dynamo of musical talent. Even the fans themselves couldn't resist, as two very enthusiastic young ladies up front danced their hearts out. Throughout the show, Stewart commented on these young fans, making jokes, and giving them heartfelt smiles. Stewart's guitar playing is strong and accurate, leading with gusto. He remarked to the crowd that this was their "second to last show for this tour," although with the fire the band played with, it might as well have been the first show! 

On "There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart), Vanessa Amorosi powerfully led into vocals. Amorosi, originally from Australia, is just one part of the global vocal talent in the band. Indiara Sfair, hailing from Brazil, threw down fantastic vocals as well as a harmonica solo on "Missionary Man." RAHH, a stylish singer from England helped carry "Would I Lie To You?" along with Amorosi. The exchange of vocals was interesting and engaging for the crowd. Drummer Ellie East provided great beats and was perfectly in time, alongside Julia Lamb who provided backing vocals. All of PPG Paints Arena was up on their feet for Eurythmics classics such as "Would I Lie To You?" and "Missionary Man." It wasn't uncommon to see not only those up front dancing, but folks all in the aisles, seats, and on the floor grooving to the band. All told, there was no shortage of great music throughout their set. 

Bryan Adams is a Canadian rocker whose career has spanned several decades. Adams made his cultural splash in the States with 1983's Cuts Like A Knife, which featured the title track, along with "Straight From The Heart," one of Adams' classic tunes. The mid-1980s was possibly his largest impact, featuring 1984's Reckless and 1987's Into The Fire, which produced hits such as "Summer of '69," "Heaven," and "Heat Of The Night." More massive success followed in the 1990s with "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" as well as Waking the Neighbors, a 1991 release that featured rocker "Can't Stop This Thing We Started." In 1993, two more classics, "Please Forgive Me" and "All For Love" were released, which remain staples in the setlist. Adams recently released his latest studio effort, 2022's So Happy It Hurts, which features a classic sound with modern production. Adams is also an accomplished photographer, with performers like Cher, Jennifer Hudson, Annie Lennox, and many more to his credit. 

The beginning of Bryan Adams's set featured the intro to his song "Kick Ass" from So Happy It Hurts, warning with biblical overtones that the world had been infected with "bad music," but that "[God] sent an angel...that wore boots, blue jeans, and a baseball cap..." to save the world from this scourge. The band leaped into "Kick Ass" which perfectly started the set with its fiery energy that got the audience moving. Adams was in fantastic voice and energy, constantly moving between three microphones placed on stage left, right, and middle. The band, consisting of Keith Scott on guitar, Gary Breit on keyboards, Solomon Walker on bass, and Pat Steward on drums, were incredibly well-honed with immaculate timing and musicianship. Pat Steward got a few chances for brief drum solos which were excellent. Keith Scott showed off his guitar prowess on several songs, at one point windmilling the guitar about his body on "It's Only Love," which was quite impressive. 

On "Shine a Light," Adams asked the audience to put a light up if there is someone they miss. Suddenly, all of PPG Paints Arena was dotted with tiny cell phone flashlights as the band played on. A major highlight was "It's Only Love" a cut from Reckless, which featured the late Tina Turner on vocals. Adams dedicated the song to Turner, saying she was a personal friend as well as a creative partner. The band mixed in a bit of her hit "Simply The Best" in the middle in tribute to her. 

Further rocking tunes included "You Belong To Me," which Adams said was "his kind of dance music" and featured the camera person placing the spotlight on certain audience members for a moment on the big screen behind the band. One gentleman even took off his shirt to wild audience applause! At several points I saw folks, young and old, on their feet dancing together on the floor to the music. The same young ladies from the Dave Stewart set were up front again, dancing together and with others around them. 

Adams played two numbers from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron with "I Will Always Return" and "Here I Am," which featured Adams and Breit together. The tender ballads were heartfelt and impactful with the vocals placed front and center. Of course, the classics "This Time" "Run To You," "So Happy It Hurts" (from his latest studio release), and the absolute classic "Summer of '69" returned the energy once again. 

The zeitgeist of the 1980s, as nostalgia remembers it, is one of unflagging optimism and overall good feelings. Both Dave Stewart and Bryan Adams brought those feelings to everyone, young and old, at the PPG Paints Arena. Whenever they tour next in your neighborhood, head out for a dose of classic tunes that will have you singing with your seatmates regardless of your age!