We all have that song. One that we hold in such high regard, that if sung in any other way but pure perfection would forever alter our love for that song and its artist. So when Kenny Loggins came to AirVenture 2014 and performed "Danger Zone," I tried not to expect too much, and still left disappointed.
As an aviation geek who grew up in the 80s, "Danger Zone" from the movie Top Gun is on the mental soundtrack to my youth. For me, it was all about the aerial dog-fighting scenes, and what life was like as a Naval Aviator. Being about 10 years old when I first saw it, I didn't understand most of the innuendo at that point. The movie also failed to attract me in terms of a recruiting pitch for the Navy.
When I heard Loggins would be performing at this year's EAA AirVenture, the news was met with some excitement, but also a bit of apprehension. I knew that Top Gun is closing in on being 30 years old, and Loggins would have to be getting up there in years. My Dad said, "He must be as old as Mick Jagger." I thought, "Hey, that's cool. Free concert. I know he'll play "Danger Zone."
The somewhat captive audience had just spent the previous 3 hours watching planes of various makes and vintages buzz and soar past us, overhead. I'd estimate three thousand or so stayed to watch the concert. Thankfully, Kenny began his set with "Danger Zone." As you can tell from the video, he's just not as vocally strong as he used to be. I listened to that song, then left the grounds for the day. Even if he had killed it, I still had no plans to stay past "Danger Zone." The thing that would have really clinched it, would have been a buzz-the-tower style flyby just as the song ended, with fireworks shooting from both sides of the stage.
So I was slightly disappointed that it didn't rock like in the movie. That's what happens with nearly 30 years of expectations built into your head, though I do appreciate the opportunity to see him perform it live.