Managing editor
There may be a few wrinkles on their faces and a little gray around their temples, but Foghat won’t disappoint when the band comes to town at 9 p.m. Friday for Chingawassa Days.
Still hard-core, die-hard, true to the bone rock ’n’ rollers, two original Foghat band members remain with the band.
Original drummer Roger Earl and bassist Craig MacGregor are joined by new lead vocalist and guitarist Charlie Huhn and lead and slide guitarist Ryan Bassett.
Though not a part of the original ensemble, Huhn and Bassett have been with the band nine and 12 years, respectively.
One original member, Lonesome Dave Peverett, died in 2000 from cancer.
The group continues to tour but breaks up its schedule to return home and spend time with wives, children, and grandchildren.
Last year, Earl fell just before a show in Oklahoma, breaking his collarbone and back.
“I’m healing well,” he said, but it served as a wake-up call. “It made me think.”
Earl grew up in London, moving to the U.S. in 1973, and is becoming a U.S. citizen.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a long while but I’ve been busy the past five or six years,” he said.
After 40 years, Foghat’s songs have endured.
The group’s most familiar song, “Slow Ride,” has been driven into today’s culture with a prominent place in the video game Guitar Hero.
“It’s the first song in the game,” Earl said.
It also was featured recently on American Idol.
Earl said he and his wife were at home when his brother-in-law called and told him to change channels. He was able to catch the last part of the song and commended the band for doing a good job.
“It makes you feel good,” Earl said. “It’s terrific.”
The band was most popular in the 1970s, with the release of nine albums that included songs “I Just Want To Make Love To You” and “Fool For The City.”
Their guitar riffs matched with vocal dexterity were a powerful combination.
“The fans have been fantastic,” Earl said. “It is very gratifying to know that after 40 years, the music can stand the test of time.”