I Got Hammered With Foreigners Bass Player And I Have Receipts

Foreigner is coming to town October 6, and there’s a familiar face on bass.

It’s been a bazillion years, but Jeff Pilson, Foreigner’s bass player and musical director, has visited Lubbock several times before. He played bass in Dokken back in the glory days and made more than a few stops in the Hub City.

Let’s back up. Nowadays, some of you leave shows early to beat the traffic. Back in the day, we used to go to shows AFTER the show. Yep, you read that right. This is the story of one of those nights.

One Of The Greatest 80's Heavy Metal Lineups In Lubbock Ever

On October 6, 1984, Twisted Sister played the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum with Dokken and Y&T. That’s a bangin’ lineup for sure. Here’s Dee Snider backstage with a winner and a loser—me.

Nessmania-Dee Snider gave me a S.M.F. card that night.

After the show, most of us party animals (“We ain’t leavin’ until we’re heavin’”) bolted over to Abbey Road for a show headlined by Wendy O. Williams. We were partying like beer was about to go out of style when George Lynch and Jeff Pilson walked in.

Nessmania-Lynch & Nessman before the hammer came down.

We hung out for a bit. The club owner was holding the show as late as he could to increase booze sales, so we had a minute.

I hadn’t talked to George much, but I found him in line behind me. I grabbed a pitcher, handed him a cup, and said, “Let’s go up front.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because that’s where you’d want people if it was your show.”

Nessmania. One of these people has a goofy face, the other is George Lynch

We then watched Wendy O. Williams knock the hell out of people with her microphone, because security just wasn’t a thing there. Afterward, we headed to the hotel and got down some more.

Nessmania-Jeff Pilson with his best buddy, Wes Nessman

So what happened to Pilson? I really don’t know. In fact, he can claim anything he wants about that night, because we all split into separate groups. You can say I partied with Jeff Pilson, but I don’t know whether he took part in the actual mischief.

Now Pilson is returning to Lubbock with Foreigner for a show tonight at Buddy Holly Hall. You can look for tickets here.

Tell him I said, “Hi.”