by Sean Reiter
Labor Day Saturday brought a 3-band bill of multi-decade classic rockers to Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre as Deep Purple headlined with Kansas and Bay Area legends Jefferson Starship in support. All 3 bands trace their origin more than 50 years back.
Jefferson Starship was formed in 1974 as Jefferson Airplane had splintered and stopped touring. Founding guitarist and vocalist David Freiberg is in the band – having rejoined in 2005 after a 20-year departure. Freiberg was an active and enthusiastic presence on the front-line at 88 years strong. Freiberg was joined by vocalist/bassist Cathy Richardson (2008), drummer Donny Baldwin (who rejoined in 2008), keyboardist Chris Smith (1999) and guitarist Jude Gold (2012).
Though only sporting one original member, the band’s performance Saturday was powerful and enthusiastic as they rolled through Airplane/Starship catalog highlights in a tight 40-minute set. They opened with a defiant “Find Your Way Back” before a sweet pairing of Richardson And Freiberg on 1987’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”. “White Rabbit” and the beloved San Francisco anthem “We Built This City” followed with early arriving crowd fully engaged with the legendary songs.
Freiberg grabbed the mic and belted (and I mean BELTED) out a terrific and powerful version of 1979’s “Jane” with Gold tearing into the song’s iconic solo. Jefferson Starship has a new album coming out in 2027 and played the first song off the album with “Jet Pack” – a hint at great new music to come in 2027. The album was recorded at Sausalito’s famed 2200 Studios (formerly The Record Plant). For the last two songs, China Wing Kantner -the daughter of Airpane / Starship greats Paul Kantner and Grace Slick – joined the band on stage for the hometown show for “Somebody to Love”. Richardson noted that they still had a little extra time left and so the audience was treated to the modern-again 1969 Airplane anti-war song “Volunteers” to cap off a great performance.
Kansas – originated in 1970 – took the middle slot with a 12-song set that was heavy on jams, but seemed a little light on the hits. The band opened with a strong double hit from 1977’s “Point of Know Return” album with the title track and then “Paradox”. Fronted by keyboardist/vocalist Ronnie Platt, with guitarists, bassist/vocalist Dan McGowan, Keyboardist Tom Brislin, guitarist Zak Rizvi, drummer Eric Holmquist and violinist Joe Deninzon. The band had original members Phil Ehart (drummer) and Rich Williams (guitarist) forced to withdraw relatively recently to health issues. Platt was in constant motion and engaging bounding up and down the stairs to his elevated keyboard.
Kansas peppered their set with hits such as “Dust In The Wind”, “Carry On Wayward Son”, “Hold On” and the previously mentioned “Point of Know Return”. They seemed to be focused on stretching out and enjoying the playing of each of the 12 songs over the course of their hour and ten minutes. “This next song is probably one of the longest and most difficult songs in the Kansas library of music – and let me tell you folks there are some difficult ones,” he told the crowd when introducing the title track off Kansas’ second album “Song For America”.
While the anthemic approach to their catalogue demonstrated the instrument mastery of each of their band members, it also led to the the omission of two of their bigger hits “Fight Fire with Fire” and “Play the Game Tonight.” I would argue that the inclusion of those two songs would have provided a more compelling evening of their catalogue as an inspiring sunset came to Shoreline Saturday night.
Deep Purple – formed in 1968 – headlined the night, delivering a 90-minute set on the cleanest, old-school stage setup I have seen in recent memory. The stage had no risers with both the drum kit and keyboards being on the main stage level and featured only one microphone stand – a dream photographer setup.
The touring five-member Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band featured band tenures that made sure it had the legitimacy of a longtime musical powerhouse v. a hired gun semi-tribute band that is seen so frequently these days. Original drummer Ian Paice (1968-1976, 1984-present), singer Ian Gillan (1969-73, 1984-89 and 1992-present), bassist Roger Glover (1969-73, 1984-present), keyboardist Don Airey (2002-present) and guitarist Simon McBride -the young one in the group, who joined in 2022.
Paice started out the night with the locomotive rhythm while bassist Roger Glover delivered the iconic bass line intro to opener “Highway Star” as 81-year old Gillan strode triumphantly to the front and immediately showed he could still belt out the song’s incredibly vocally-challenging shriek heavy chorus.
Glover seemed to be having a blast all-night on bass – perhaps enjoying the evening more than anyone else on stage. With his long-hair tied back with a handkerchief, sunglasses and black vest he had the look of your cool biker uncle.
McBride – who Gillan jokingly introduced as “the best-dressed leprechaun in Deep Purple” – hit all the right notes with his ripping solos on guitar as he more than stood up to the challenge of being the only guitarist on a stage of legends. Indeed, just four songs in he was thrust to a spotlight guitar solo before the band returned to the stage to join him on the new track “Arrogant Boy” off 2026’s “Splat.”
Legendary drummer Paice demonstrated his renowned versatility throughout the night, with the left-hander seemlessly switching between jazz, blues and power rock styles. “Lazy Sod” showcased this blueesy, jazz style – particularly with Gillan joining on harmonica.
Keyboardist Don Airey showed the power of the 70’s synthesizer, keyboard arena rock all night long as he dazzled on the keys.
Not set to rest just on the laurels of their long and impressive song list, Purple played a surprising 5-songs off their most recent two albums. “Lazy Sod” followed “Arrogant Boy” while “A Bit on The Side”, “Diablo” and “Guinessis” also were given a run.
Gillan’s voice was sharp throughout the night – he did take frequent moments off the stage to provide the spotlight to his fellow band members. He looked and sounded strong and healthy for a man a few decades younger than his 80+. From the launch of “Highway Star” to a dynamite “Space Truckin” and memorable “Smoke on the Water” and “Hush.” Perhaps his best vocal moments of the night came during the heartwrenching “When a Blind Man Cries.”
Though the band seemed to have chosen to drop “Woman From Tokyo” once again (it was avoided in the 70s as well), Thier balance of new and classic was effective and a strong demonstration of their continued relevance and power. Saturday night was testament to a band with a compelling past, present and future.
