Seventies Titans Reignite the Stage: Deep Purple, Kansas and Jefferson Starship Bring Nostalgia to Toronto
- Michael Drukarsh
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh
Toronto, Canada - Three legendary bands, Jefferson Starship, Kansas, and Deep Purple, took to the stage on August 18th, 2026 and delivered sets full of 70s nostalgia sprinkled with a few new tunes that fit right into the groove of the night.
Sure, one could argue that the bands on stage are not in fact “legendary” as members of each band have changed over the years with few actually being around during the “Classic Era”. But, like your favourite sports team, just because players come and go doesn’t mean you stop supporting the team (1967, you feel me Leaf fans?). For Jefferson Starship, the OG, David Freiberg (1973-present) was front and center sharing vocal duties and playing a pretty mean guitar. Deep Purple features the classic Mark II lineup of Ian Gillan on vocals, Roger Glover on bass, and Ian Paice on drums. Although Deep Purple has gone through many lineup changes, these three, along with Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore delivered the hard rock classics Deep Purple in Rock and Machine Head. Kansas is the odd band out here, with original drummer Phil Ehart and original guitarist Rich Williams still officially with the band but no longer touring due to health reasons. Both are still very much involved with the band but are currently focusing on management.
Jefferson Starship
Opening the night, Jefferson Starship took the stage for a short but fantastic set of classic tunes with "Jet Pack", a new song set for release date soon, thrown in toward the end. Heavy on nostalgia, lead singer Cathy Richards did an amazing job of bringing hits such as “We Built this City” and "Somebody to Love" to the fans while her beyond unbelievable delivery both vocally and with her facial expressions of “White Rabbit" was brilliant. Freiberg was in great form, despite looking a little frail coming onto the stage, once he had the guitar strapped on and mic in hand, he really became a powerhouse, delivering an excellent version of “Jane" and holding on to that last note for a very impressive time.
Jefferson Starship Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Kansas
The 7 piece progressive rock band Kansas took the stage next. It was evident from the get go that lead singer and one of two keyboardists, Ronnie Platt was out to have fun and deliver a hell of a show moving from behind the keyboard to command the front of the stage when needed. Unfortunately, as a prog rock band relying heavily on interwoven musical interludes, it appeared, in my opinion, that they lost some of the crowd as they played through the set. Those who were paying attention got a chance to witness some absolutely incredible musicianship and hear some beautiful harmonies.
Violinist Joe Deninzon and keyboardist Tom Brislin stole the show with their unbelievable sound. That is definitely not to take away from Dan McGowan on bass, Scott Bernard on guitar and drummer Erik Holmquist who along with Platt, Deninzon and Brislin played the most complicated song from Kansas’s catalog “Song for America” to near perfection. The band was able to win the crowd back with their biggest hits, “Dust in the Wind” and of course show closer “Carry on Wayward Son” which had the jam-packed amphitheater singing along to the chorus at the top of their lungs.
Kansas Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Deep Purple
On June 30th, 1972 at a concert in London’s Rainbow Theater, Deep Purple entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s loudest band hitting an incredible 117 decibels. On Tuesday August 18, 2026 at Toronto’s RBC Amphitheatre, 54 years later, the band including lead vocalist Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, guitarist Simon McBride and the incredible, legendary Don Airey on keyboards felt like they came pretty damn close to hitting that record again as the first notes of "Highway Star" blasted through the sound system and literally blowing me back from the speaker.
All five members of Deep Purple were on fire, delivering their driving hard rock sound to the jam-packed amphitheatre. With a few newer releases thrown in including “A Bit on the Side” and “Lazy Sod” from 2024’s 1 along with a couple from 2026’s Splat, "Arrogant Boy” and “Diablo”, which had guest vocalists Cathy Richards and David Freiberg from Jefferson Starship return to the stage, the rest of the set laid heavy into the Mark II version of Deep Purple’s catalog. Along with “Highway Star”, fans were treated to hits such as “Lazy”, “When a Blind Man Cries”, “Space Truckin” and of course “Smoke on the Water”. It was wonderful to see the audience not only on their feet, but many dancing in the aisles as Gillan belted out the tunes, granted a little rough with age but with the same passion as when they were first released in the 70s.
On a personal note, a highlight for me was seeing the incredible Don Airey on stage. As a huge Ozzy Osbourne fan, I saw Airey way back in 1984 while he was touring with Ozzy for the Bark at the Moon tour. Back then he was a cloaked figure tucked up in the corner of the castle adding ambiance and creepy vibes to songs like “Mr. Crowley” and “Revelation Mother Earth”. Tuesday night he was a focal point behind his massive rig, delivering incredible sound to setlist. Airey was even given a solo where along with some beautiful classical piece he threw in a little “Mr. Crowley”, just for me I guess!
Set List
Highway Star
A Bit on the Side
Into the Fire
Guitar Solo
Arrogant Boy
Lazy Sod
Lazy
When a Blind Man Cries
Diablo
Keyboard Solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin'
Smoke on the Water
Encore:
Guinnesis
Hush (Joe South cover)
You can say what you want about bands without original members... you can call them tribute acts or cover bands, but really, it doesn’t matter. The music truly does speak for itself and when you have a band, whether it is composed of one, two, or perhaps none of the founding or classic era line up but can still deliver the sound and more importantly the feel of that era, that moment in time that touches peoples’ hearts, then they have done their job.
Based on the full house Tuesday night and the sweaty, smiling, singing fans, Jefferson Starship, Kansas, and Deep Purple delivered the 70s in an absolutely perfect package.
Deep Purple Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Deep Purple Online
Show Date: August 18, 2026
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