The music of the ’80s continues to be popular, even gaining fans from a new generation as they discover it through shows like HBO’s Peacemaker as well as through continued touring by many of the bands. 

Three of those bands, Great White, Slaughter, and Vixen, will bring the fun to Fort Wayne’s Foellinger Theatre as they bring the Rockin’ the ’80s tour to the outdoor theater on Friday, Aug. 2.

Feeding off crowd

With their meteoric rise in the ’80s, it was natural that Great White were lumped in with the glam bands of the era, but they have always stood out from the pack. 

Yes, they came from the same Sunset Strip that gave birth to Poison, Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and the like. They also had massive MTV-fueled hits like “Rock Me” and “One Bitten…Twice Shy” featuring good times and loud guitars. 

However, the underlying base of their music has always been the blues. One need only to listen to a few deeper cuts like “House of Broken Love,” “Call It Rock N’ Roll,” or “Mista Bone” to understand where the band draws their influences.

Forty years into their career, the band is still playing some of those blues-influenced songs to crowds around the world who are eager to hear them. 

Playing 50-60 shows a year, touring is different now because the band doesn’t have to spend extended time on a bus, multi-instrumentalist Michael Lardie recently told Whatzup. 

Today’s touring mostly involves what are referred to as “fly dates” that see the band fly into a region, play two or three nights, usually on the weekend, then fly home to resume their lives. 

“It’s great,” Lardie said. “We love to work throughout the year, and in many ways we are doing as well or better now than when we were out there on a bus for seven months.”

While the setlist is often similar from night to night, Lardie said the band never gets tired of playing the songs people want to hear. That’s because every night is unique, bringing a different energy to each performance. 

“The group of people that are in that crowd that night, it’s never been that group of people before,” he said. “When we play ‘Once Bitten…Twice Shy,’ that’s the first time this group of people has experienced it with us and the first time that we’ve experienced their particular energy. So that’s always the thing that keeps it fresh.” 

Hitting at right time

The reason people still have a strong connection to those songs is an interesting conversation to have, Lardie said. He believes one factor is that it was a period when it was always a celebration to go to a concert. 

“There were so many tours that went through towns back then,” he said. “On a Tuesday night, you might catch Whitesnake and Great White, then, maybe, on Friday, Aerosmith and White Lion, then on the following Monday you’d catch Cinderella and Winger. 

“Everybody was always touring and there were really connectable songs that celebrated life, partying, and having a great time. It was so upbeat and, I think, people just really enjoyed that feeling.”

MTV played a big role as well. The channel created a new way to enjoy music while also making band members instantly recognizable. 

“I think that certainly brought the music to the forefront and was kind of the precursor for everything about social media today,” Lardie said. “It created a deeper connection to the artists and, I think, it made it easier to sustain people’s careers. 

“It was a well-timed thing for the style of music that was out there.”

New singer’s energy

Original singer Jack Russell left Great White for good in 2009 and, predictably, there will always be fans that say the band isn’t the same without him. Truth be told, they have struggled to replace his iconic voice, going through several singers since his departure, each lasting just a short time. 

But, Lardie said, 28-year-old Brett Carlisle, who joined in 2022, has been a welcomed addition for fans and the band. 

“He is quite a bit younger than the rest of us, and brings quite a bit of youthful energy that has reenergized us all,” Lardie said.

In addition, he said, Carlisle brings a new perspective to the music while still paying homage to the way fans remember it. 

The singer grew up with ’80s music in his household, so he’s able to connect with it from a fan’s point of view. 

“I think he is the closest we have ever had, in terms of timbre and style, to our original singer, Jack,” Lardie said. “So it puts the songs back in a place where people can really, really connect with them.”

Album in the works

Great White’s latest album, Full Circle, was released seven years ago, but the band is working on new music, Lardie said. 

While they have a new singer, he assures us the new compositions will still sound like Great White. 

“We are going to take close to the rest of the year to compile something that will be representative of where we are now,” he said. 

Just because they have a new singer, fans shouldn’t expect a huge departure. 

“It’s still Audie (Desbrow) playing drums and Mark (Kendall) playing guitar,” Lardie said. “It’s got the true sound of Great White. Whether we do something really light or really heavy or really bluesy, it’s always going to sound like Great White. But one of the things I love about Brett is that he’s there with us at writing sessions. You can’t really say that about a lot of singers, especially from that era, but Brett’s interested in being a part of every bit of it.”

‘You’ll enjoy yourself’

Expect a great night of fun alongside three bands who helped define a truly special era of music. 

Vixen will undoubtedly play “Edge of a Broken Heart” and Slaughter will bring ultra-hits “Fly to the Angels” and “Up All Night.” 

For their part, Lardie said to expect Great White to play a lot of hit songs and things people recognize that have been a part of their lives a long time. 

“We are even doing some stuff from the very first record,” he said. “So it’s pretty cool to cover our discography as best as we can in the time we have on stage. 

“I love that I have a career 40 years later and people still connect with these songs. Just come out and know that you’ll enjoy yourself and leave with a smile on your face.”