If you were alive in the ’70s and ’80s, or if you’ve listened to classic rock radio since then, you’ve probably got bits of your musical DNA stamped with riffs and lines by Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick. But don’t expect this show with the three big names to be a total nostalgia fest.
Heart — the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy — just released a new record, “Beautiful Broken,” earlier this month, which features a guest appearance by Metallica’s James Hetfield, and finds the rock siblings back in Zeppelin-y territory.
Cheap Trick, a power pop professional outfit, also has a new record, “Bang, Zoom, Crazy … Hello” just out this year. The members still know how to thread elements of Big Star, the Velvet Underground, the Beatles and Alice Cooper together into rock that’s chugging and hooky.
Joan Jett didn’t release a new record this year, but she was in an episode of the Muppets, so it’s not like she’s been chilling out.
The trio of rock legends Heart, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick play the Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford, Monday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $59.50 to $114.50. Information: 203-265-1501, livenation.com.
