Foghat Last Stand: Lonesome Dave’s Final Blaze (Houston, 1999)

In September 1999, a chapter of rock history quietly but powerfully drew to a close. 

Foghat frontman Lonesome Dave Peverett, known for his raspy soul-drenched vocals and commanding stage presence, led the band through a blistering set in Houston, Texas. 

The venue: The Plaza. 

The occasion: the Millennium Tour. What no one knew at the time was that this performance would be among his final filmed appearances before his untimely death just five months later.

The show, later released as Slow Ride – Live in Concert on both Blu-Ray and CD, wasn’t billed as a farewell. 

In hindsight, it carries the weight and warmth of a final gift from one of classic rock’s most underrated voices.

One of the Last Times We’d See Lonesome Dave on Stage with Foghat

By the time of the Houston show, Peverett was already battling kidney cancer. 

Despite his diagnosis, he chose to continue performing—proving once again that the stage wasn’t just a job for him, it was where he came to life. 

Captured in crisp sound and vivid stage lighting, the performance showcases Dave doing what he loved most, with a fire in his belly that illness couldn’t extinguish.

A Veteran Foghat Lineup in Full Form

The band lineup for the Millennium Tour reunited Dave with original drummer Roger Earl and bassist Tony Stevens. 

Guitarist Bryan Bassett—formerly of Wild Cherry and Molly Hatchet—rounded out the crew, stepping into the role once held by Rod Price. 

The chemistry was undeniable. 

These weren’t players going through the motions; this was a seasoned outfit delivering sharp, gutsy, bluesy rock music like it was 1975 again.

Foghat: Acclaimed by Fans and Critics

Both casual listeners and longtime fans lauded the Slow Ride – Live in Concert package for its clarity, passion, and unfiltered energy.

For many, it offered a chance to see Foghat* not just surviving the ‘90s, but thriving—proof that age hadn’t dulled their edge.

Foghat Setlist Standouts: Houston, September 9, 1999

Though not every track from the night made it to the DVD/CD release, the known setlist from fan archives and performance clips confirms a blend of hits and deep cuts, including:

• “I Just Want to Make Love to You” – A ferocious opener and a staple of Foghat’s career, this Willie Dixon-penned number was reimagined through Foghat’s harder, heavier lens.
  
• “Slow Ride” – No Foghat show is complete without their signature anthem. In Houston, it was delivered with extended jams, crowd call-and-response, and a swagger that belied Dave’s health struggles.
  

Fans also recall deep cuts that added depth to the night’s soundscape. With each tune, the band reminded the crowd why Foghat remained a force decades after their first radio breakthrough.

The Spirit of a Performer, Even in Decline

There’s something undeniably moving about watching a musician push through physical pain to bring joy to others. 

Peverett didn’t just show up in Houston—he commanded that stage. 

His voice, still full of gravel and grace, soared across the venue. His energy was infectious. 

There’s a moment in the performance—captured clearly in the DVD—where he grins at the audience and leans into a guitar break as if daring the illness to catch him. 

It’s not a farewell wrapped in sorrow; it’s defiance wrapped in groove.

Foghat’s brand of rock was always steeped in joy, sweat, and stomp. That night in Houston, it became something more: a living tribute to perseverance.

Beyond Houston: What Came Next for Foghat

Lonesome Dave Peverett passed away on February 7, 2000, at the age of 56. His death marked the end of an era for Foghat, but not the end of the band.

Foghat carried on with new vocalists—including Charlie Huhn (formerly of Ted Nugent’s band) and most recently bluesman Scott Holt—but fans still look back on the Houston performance as a sacred moment in the band’s journey. 

It’s a snapshot of the original spirit in its final flare.

While the lineup may evolve, the soul of Foghat—rooted in boogie, blues, and honesty—remains tethered to the man who co-founded the band and gave it its voice.

Must-See Moments from the Performance

There are several standout moments in Slow Ride – Live in Concert that crystallize why this Houston show matters:

1. The Opening Chords of “Drivin’ Wheel”

Peverett’s roar is unrelenting, setting the tone for a Foghat performance that refuses to slow down.

2. Mid-Set Banter

Dave’s interactions with the crowd feel genuine and off-the-cuff. He jokes, he grins, he lets the fans know that even in the face of darkness, the show is still his happy place.

3. The Final Notes of “Slow Ride”

The extended jam becomes almost ceremonial, a passing of the torch as Dave lets the music speak for what words can’t. There’s something eternal in that final chord.

To view the full performance, check out the Slow Ride – Live in Concert DVD or stream the audio edition on Apple Music.

Why Foghat Still Matters Today

In a music industry now dominated by TikTok trends and short attention spans, performances like Foghat’s 1999 Houston show serve as a reminder of something deeper: that live music can be a defiant act of connection, of legacy, and of love. 

Dave didn’t have to tour in his condition—but he did, and he did it with soul.

Younger artists chasing viral fame could learn a lot from watching a show like this—where the lights, the licks, and the love all came from the same place: the heart.

Final Takeaway for Foghat’s Slow Ride: Live in Houston

The Houston concert wasn’t intended as a swan song, but it became one. It doesn’t just document a performance—it preserves a spirit. 

Lonesome Dave’s final blaze reminds us that rock and roll isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. 

In September 1999, he gave every bit of his to the crowd.

Foghat may ride on, but the echo of that night in Texas will never fade.

Sources

• Foghat – Slow Ride: Live in Concert (Amazon)
  
• The Earl’s Court – Remembering Lonesome Dave Part 1
  
• Foghat Official Website
  
• Setlist.fm – Foghat, Sept 9, 1999, Houston

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