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Loverboy - Lovin' Every Minute of It in Nashville

by Rich and Laura Lynch

In the early 80's, Canadian arena rockers Loverboy had it all - hit songs, ubiquitous airings on MTV and a blue collar anthem that spoke to a generation of fans. Even if frontman and singer Mike Reno's headband and tight red leather pants put them directly in the crossfire of the critic's ire they didn't seem to mind that much. It was only rock and roll after all and they were clearly having a good time. In Nashville, now forty years down the line from their breakout days they were also having the last laugh as a packed house of middle aged men and women stayed on their feet during a high-power 90-minute set at the Ryman Auditorium on January 23, 2020.

Loverboy - Lovin' Every Minute of It in Nashville

Mike Reno leads Loverboy into their fifth decade in Nashville.

During a mid-show break in the action the singer enthused how he and the band were thankful to be back at the revered Ryman Auditorium before adding that they can't wait to return next time. Who could blame them? The group consisting of Mike Reno, Paul Dean, Doug Johnson, Matt Frenette and Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve - received immense support in the form of screams, shouts and singing from the raucous Tennessee faithful who were happily reliving their more carefree days in the comfy confines of the Mother Church of Country Music.

Paul and Mike - arena rock's dynamic duo in Music City.

As the evening's headliner Loverboy did have a tough act to follow on this night as Fee Waybill and The Tubes unleashed a fine opening set in the hallowed hall. But, they were more than up to the task starting strong with a notable "Notorious" and fortuitous "Lucky Ones" while never taking the foot off the gas as they powered through to their biggest pair of anthems "Turn Me Loose" and "Working for the Weekend" that closed out their main show. The guys returned victoriously for an encore of the aptly titled "Lovin' Every Minute of It" and the un-setlisted bonus of "Jump" that was their way of saying goodbye for now.

Paul Dean - guitarist and Canadian Music Hall of Fame member - was ready to rock the Ryman.

Even though Loveryboy was in town a few weeks before the one day in the year that love is on everyone's mind - for one lucky couple love was truly in the air on this wet late January night. Mike described from the stage how one fan approached him with a request before the show. He was going to ask his girlfriend to marry him and was hoping the rock star could say a few words from the stage. Mike complied and told this story as an intro to "This Could Be the Night" and in the front of the house Barry could be seen getting down on one knee as Melissa said "yes" proving that even four decades after their founding Loverboy is still providing the soundtrack to their fan's lives - and that really is what it is all about.

More scenes from Loverboy in Nashville.

Loverboy made a triumphant return to the hallowed Ryman stage.

Related Links: For more information on LOVERBOY and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Loverboy | The Tubes | The Tubes at The Ryman | Ryman Auditorium