For fans of Jacksonville-area classic rock, it’s hard to beat the four bands backing up this weekend.
If they want, they could see Styx on Friday, Elton John on Saturday, The Who on Sunday and Little Feat on Monday.
Check out the shows:
So long:Goodbye? Jacksonville’s concert calendar is filled with “retired” bands like The Who, Elton John, Motley Crue and more
More gigs:Biggest concerts, comedy shows in Jacksonville, St. Augustine through June
Styx
With Night Ranger, Friday 8 p.m. at the Saint-Augustin amphitheater. $42 to $119. Buy your tickets here.
What is special about this show? The group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
How many originals are left in the group? One, two or three, depending on how you count. Guitarist James “JY” Young is one of the founders. Bassist Chuck Panozzo too, but he doesn’t play at all the gigs. Frontman Tommy Shaw is on many of the band’s biggest songs, but he didn’t join Styx’s sixth album, “Crystal Ball.”
Songs you know by heart: “Come Sail Away”, “Blue Collar Man”, “Renegade”, “Babe”
Awards: 8 Top 10 hits, 20 million albums sold, 13 gold or platinum albums
Elton John
8 p.m. Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $175 to $1,449. Buy your tickets here.
What is special about this show? This is probably the last chance to see Elton in Jacksonville. This is his Yellow Brick Road farewell tour.
How many originals are left in the group? Technically one, Elton himself. But his touring band includes guitarist Davey Johnstone, percussionist Ray Cooper and drummer Nigel Olsson, who started playing with Elton on the “Madman Across the Water” album in 1971.
Songs you know by heart: “Rocket Man”, “Benny and the Jets”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Crocodile Rock”
Distinctions: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, two Oscars, four Grammys, a Tony Award, 300 million records sold
WHO
7:30 p.m. Sunday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $38.09 – $198.09. Buy your tickets here.
What is special about this show? Members of the Jacksonville Symphony will join the band on stage.
How many originals still in the group? Two, vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend.
Songs you know by heart: “Magic Bus”, “My Generation”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “Pinball Wizard”
Awards: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 100 million albums sold, third on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of Top 10 Concerts of All Time, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
small feat
8 p.m. Monday at the Florida Theater. $34.50 – $89.50. Buy your tickets here.
What is special about this show? The band, with new vocalist Scott Sharrard (longtime musical director of Gregg Allman), will perform their classic 1978 live album, “Waiting for Columbus,” from start to finish.
How many originals still in the group? Three, keyboardist Bill Payne, percussionist Sam Clayton and bassist Kenny Gradney.
Songs you know by heart: “Fat Man in the Bathtub”, “Let it Roll”, “Dixie Chicken”, “Willin'”
Awards: Zero Top 10 hits, zero No. 1 albums, one Grammy nomination but widely respected in the music industry and by dedicated fans.
