Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner sharing Jones Beach bill in summer '26

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner, two bands from opposite ends of the rock spectrum, will join forces for a 19-date co-headlining tour titled "Double Trouble / Double Vision" that will come to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater next summer.

The general onsale for the Aug. 21 show at the Wantagh venue begin Friday at 10 a.m. at foreigneronline.com and lynyrdskynyrd.com.

Decades ago, the two bands would have been unlikely to share a bill. Lynyrd Skynyrd, formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, helped establish the shaggy sound of Southern rock and hit a commercial peak in the 1970s with two singles, the epic ballad "Free Bird" and the propulsive "Sweet Home Alabama" (written in response to Neil Young’s "Southern Man"). The band’s momentum was derailed, however, by a 1977 plane crash that killed vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines. Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded that year and would not reunite for another 10 years.

Foreigner, meanwhile, formed in New York City in 1976. Led by English guitarist Mick Jones and fronted by American singer Lou Gramm, the band crafted an edgy but radio-friendly sound that straddled the line between classic rock and new wave. Among its best-known hits are "Hot Blooded," "Urgent," "Cold as Ice" and "I Want to Know What Love Is." Their songs will soon be the basis of a stage play, "Feels Like the First Time — The Foreigner Musical," which is slated to hold its world premiere in April at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts under the direction of Adam Pascal.

Foreigner is now fronted by lead singer Luis Maldonado. Lynyrd Skynyrd's singer is Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's younger brother. The title of the joint tour combines Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1976 single "Double Trouble" and Foreigner’s 1978 hit single and album "Double Vision."

Both bands have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com