Nineties Rock Bands Still Captivating Music Fans with Greatest Hits

By: Steve Trager

The music of the nineties has given us a long-standing decade that can be remembered for some outstanding bands that have earned themselves both top ten monster hits and countless sold-out tours time after time.

With all the new and emerging artists that seem to push aside some of these great bands that have redefined the test of time and still do regardless of how we get, one thing that certainly stands out is the music that has become a staple in our lives.

Last year seems to be one of the greatest summers that certainly had my calendar filled with not just my favorites but many of the bands that I have grown to love like a co-headliner rock show with The Goo Goo Dolls and Train.

Each of these bands has respectably earned themselves top ten number ones, multi – platinum-certified albums and have sold out venues worldwide as both different headliners on their own.

It’s been a few years since I had the pleasure of seeing such a fantastic doubleheader at one of the best outdoor venues in my back yard BB&T Pavilion in Camden New Jersey.

You know it’s going to be a great night as the traffic is slow-moving and when you finally get to park far away from the venue and hike to get in line you look around thinking wow is this sold out? Or is the main factor that two great bands are sharing one stage to give the fans a blast of the past under one ticket.

The Goo Goo Dolls(credit: Steve Trager)
The Goo Goo Dolls(credit: Steve Trager)

As I have always loved Goo Goo Dolls and their long list of hits, they still can bring the energy to any stage small or large, the magnitude of stellar number ones never gets old even if many of the chartbusters have you daydreaming it’s still in the mid-nineties’.

Even if they haven’t unleashed new music in a few years, Goo Goo Dolls haven’t lost their edge as a band and still bring the energy we have come as a live band.

As if that wasn’t enough fans also enjoyed a great closing set from Train, While never having the opportunity to ever seen them live other than steaming music like everyone else these days, you begin to wonder how is this band live?

Train (credit: Steve Trager)
Train (credit: Steve Trager)

You think for a minute Train has more than just one of those songs stuck in your head that you have heard over and over like a broken record, yet they have a few hitmakers that really stand out as I took a seat close to the stage to watch Train set the stage on fire live.

Even though many bands throw in covers, it does get a bit thrown off track when you expect more from any band but you know what Train really does well with covers like Led Zeppelin’s “ Heart Breaker “, Tom Petty’s cover of “ American Girl “ and of course Queens’ “ Under Pressure “ .

To think all I have ever known from this band was “ Sweet Virginia “, kind of sad when you think about it, The radio only plays what you want them to play yet many bands have more a unique blend of music to fit any mood.

Allen Stone (credit: Steve Trager)
Allen Stone (credit: Steve Trager)

Opening the show was this great up and comer Allen Stone, a YOUTUBE sensation that combines that blues-oriented edgy rock with a soulful sound.
He is absolutely great, worth checking his music out online.

I have to admit, after sitting through three bands, it was nothing short of a stellar night of great music, number one hits, and fun covers with that flair of band to fan interaction which makes any rock show, not your typical one.

Enjoy theimages from the night.