Five-time Grammy winner Christopher Cross returned to his former hometown of Santa Barbara to perform at the Lobero Theatre on August 28th. The singer-songwriter brought with him an international band of talented musicians and backup vocalists for an extended set, made all the more special as it preceded a sold-out performance with the rock band Toto at the massive Hollywood Bowl on September 1st. Celebrity musicians, including Alan Parsons, attended the intimate concert at the historic Lobero Theatre. Cross expressed his gratitude on Facebook, writing: “It was such a thrill to be back in Santa Barbara. Our concert at the beautiful Lobero Theatre was filled with many old friends. Thank y’all for spending the evening with us.”
Cross is continuing his 40th anniversary tour, which had been delayed for years due to extended illnesses. At 73 years old and having endured a tough battle with COVID, followed by a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, his presence on tour feels like a near-miracle. Unlike many musicians his age, Cross performs all his songs in their original keys, with his voice and guitar skills as sharp as ever.
Supported by an extraordinary group of musicians and vocalists from Paris, Cross crafted a vivid tapestry of sound during the 90-minute set, filled with meaningful and nostalgic moments. Early in the evening, he paused to reminisce about his days as a young Catholic schoolboy, recalling a memorable moment when he questioned a nun about the length of her hair. “She replied by removing her headdress, revealing long locks,” Cross recalled, as the audience shared in his amazement at the story.
Later in the set, which featured several deep cuts, Cross performed a song deeply personal to long-time residents of Santa Barbara. He played "Diving Deep," a track he wrote for the soundtrack of a documentary about his late friend, Mike DeGruy. DeGruy, a well-known undersea filmmaker and teacher at the Brooks Institute of Photography, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in Australia in 2012 while filming for director James Cameron. The theater, known for its near-perfect acoustics, fell into a hushed silence as Cross and the band delivered the poignant song, making for an unforgettable moment.
The mood shifted as Cross and the band transitioned to the more upbeat "Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)," dedicated to the late Burt Bacharach. Throughout the evening, Cross’s backing musicians and singers delivered standout performances. Finnish multi-instrumentalist Andy Suzuki dazzled on saxophone, wind instruments, and keyboards, while Jerry Léonide, a native of Mauritius, played jazz-infused riffs on the grand piano. The French bassist and drummer maintained a tight, funky groove all night, and the three backup singers added rich, intriguing harmonies, even performing one song’s chorus in Swahili.
Unsurprisingly, the night’s biggest standing ovations came for Cross’s two most iconic hits, “Sailing” and “Ride Like The Wind.” During the latter, Cross astounded the audience with an extended, rock-infused guitar solo, proving that his prowess as a guitarist remains as impressive as ever.
For anyone wondering whether time or illness had taken a toll on Cross’s vocal abilities, those doubts were put to rest with the final song of the evening. Accompanied only by the soft, subtle piano of Léonide, Cross performed the deep cut “Think of Laura” from his 1983 album Another Page. His vocals soared, evoking the purity and clarity of the young Catholic choir boy he once was, as the notes echoed through the Lobero, creating another historic and heartfelt moment.
