Incoming

Congratulations to Wilco on selling out its concert at Metro in Chicago tonight. Depending on when you see this, you can find a link to a live stream starting at 8:00 pm on the band’s official website. The show will likely feature songs from its latest album, the Cate Le Bon produced Cousins. After tonight’s show, Wilco will embark on tours of Mexico, Japan, and Australia.

Terri Hemmert, one of Chicago’s all-time best-known radio personalities, will mark 50 years of being on the air at rock station WXRT this Friday, November 3. The FM station, a perennial favorite in its own right, is inviting longtime listeners to post their admiration for Hemmert on its official website. WXRT promises Hemmert will read all the messages, and they’ll share some on the air this Friday.

Of course, it’s impossible to mention Terri Hemmert without describing her as one of the planet’s most devoted Beatles fans. She’s had the honor on interviewing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr; hosts Breakfast With The Beatles each Sunday morning on WXRT; and has served as the official MC at Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago for several years. Fest For Beatles Fans got its start in New York, and will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary. A recent official email stated details will be revealed soon.

I’m assuming by now most Beatles fans are aware that film producer Peter Jackson used AI technology to separate John Lennon’s vocals from a piano playing on a song titled “Now And Then” that was recorded a little over 40 years ago. Jackson was the perfect choice to do it, having previously created the masterful Get Back documentary series. “Now And Then,” which is being described as “the last new Beatles song,” will be released this Thursday along with a 2023 mix of The Beatles’ first ever single “Love Me Do” as a double single in seven-inch and twelve-inch vinyl formats.

The Last Waltz, director Martin Scorsese’s 1978 classic concert film of The Band commemorating its retirement (at the time) with assorted fabulous guests, will return to theaters for one night only this Sunday, November 5. The event marks the film’s 45th anniversary.

Micky Dolenz has an EP titled Dolenz Sings R.E.M. coming out this Friday in vinyl and CD formats.

The Mercury Theater’s production of Young Frankenstein has been garnering positive reviews. Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune particularly liked Ryan Stajmiger as Igor and Andrew MacNaughton as the Monster. The production runs Wednesday through Sunday until December 31. My wife Pam and I joined two friends to see a production of Monty Python’s Spamalot at Mercury Theater a while back and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Best wishes to the cast and crew of director Josh Rhodeson’s new production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, which opens tomorrow night (Halloween) at the St. James Theatre in New York. Break a leg. Or, if you’re fighting The Black Knight, cut off both legs and arms.

If you’re looking for Halloween songs to play while waiting for trick or treaters to arrive tomorrow, check out previous listing from this month for suggestions. Best wishes to everyone for a safe and fun Halloween.