The annual My Sweet George George Harrison birthday tribute takes place next Saturday, February 24 at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. The event’s organizers—Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma— have once again recruited some of Chicago’s best musicians to help celebrate, and veteran musician/media personality Ken Mottet will serve as Master Of Ceremonies. If previous years are any indication, the selection of Harrison material performed next Saturday will range from hit singles to deep tracks and rarities.
Clark and Paloma have also brought their My Sweet George show to Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago a number of times.Clark has been a member of local bands such as Epicycle, Social Act, and The Handcuffs; and also works as a solo recording artist and producer. Paloma is lead vocalist for the rockabilly/garage rock band Amazing Heeby Jeebies. The pair also performs as the vintage psychedelic country duo Big Hair Big Trouble.
The acts scheduled to perform include Phil Angotti; Jay Goeppner; “Soul Keeper” Gerald McClendon; The 321’s; Clar Monaco’s Sandalwood Sitar; The New Heartaches; Pierce Crask; Phoenix; Frankie; The Secret 4; The Gigi & Donna Frost All George Ukulele Set; Twisted Rootz, The Barb & Barrett Show, and The New Heartaches. In addition to offering all those musicians, there will be Harrison-related art for sale, created by Paloma, Alejandro Pucheta, and Frank Corpus. My Sweet George, which once again helps the MusiCares nonprofit charity organization, starts at 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:30 pm.
Phil Angotti and Friends will perform a George Harrison Birthday Show at their Beatles Brunch next Sunday, April 25.
The list of limited edition vinyl releases coming on this year’s Record Store Day is now available on the official RSD website. The global event takes place on April 20, and once again features artists across numerous genres and decades. See yesterday’s post for more information.
It’s a pre-sale and a party. Tickets for the FitzGerald’s 41st Annual American Music Festival coming this summer in Berwyn will be available at an In-Person Pre-Sale Party taking place tomorrow at a FitzGerald’s Sidebar event with The Shaun Gotti Showtime Band.
FitzGerald’s has released the schedule for this year’s American Music Festival, which runs July 3 – 6, and as usual, there’s an amazing variety of acts. Nikki Lane and Sierra Hull; The Jayhawks; Old 97’s; Robert Randolph Band; Marcia Ball; Joe Pug; Rhett Miller; Ike Reilly Assassination; Tributaurus; Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel; C.J. Chenier And The Red Hot Louisiana Band; Joel Paterson; The Waco Brothers; and Michael McDermott are among the headline acts.
Chicago-based singer-guitarist Steve Dawson, who’s equally at home with solo efforts or as part of the bands Dolly Varden and Funeral Bonsai Wedding, has a new album titled Ghosts coming out on June 10. Although it’s technically another solo effort, he worked with familiar faces, such as Alton Smith, Gerald Dowd, Brian Wilke, Nora O’Connor, John Abbey, Tommi Zender, Chris Greene, and Dawson’s wife and Dolly Varden co-founder Diane Christiansen.
Girl From The North Country, playwright Conor McPherson’s musical built around 20 songs by Bob Dylan, opened at the CIBC Theatre in downtown Chicago earlier this week and was met with rave reviews in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. The show runs through February 25.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse’s show Plays Music Of David Bowie and More For Kids is coming to SPACE in Evanston tomorrow. The music starts at 2:00 pm.
Marc Ribler, whose resume includes performing with Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, as well as Darlene Love, has released a terrific video for his new song “Dick Cavett.” Written by Ribler and Stevie VanZandt, it’s a catchy tribute to the popular talk show host, particularly his late-night run from 1969 to 1975. The clip features Cavett himself, along with Vincent Pastore and Maureen Van Zandt (Little Stevie’s wife) from The Sopranos, and countless snippets of Cavett interviewing rock and roll stars and other celebrities. “Dick Cavett” can be found on Marc Ribler Story Road’s new album Armageddon, and is available on seven-inch vinyl on the Wicked Cool website.
Lush vocalist-guitarist Miki Berenyi recently announced on her official Facebook page that her book Fingers Crossed - How Music Saved Me From Success will soon be available in America and Canada. The Miki Berenyi Trio, which includes Siouxsie And The Banshees members Lol Tolhurst and Budgie (Tolhurst was also a member of The Cure) will perform on June 7 at Bottom Lounge in Chicago.
The Kooks have announced an upcoming 16-city tour that will bring them to America for the first time in quite a while. It kicks off in Atlanta on February 29, and includes a stop at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on March 15. The shows will celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Kooks’ debut release Inside In Inside Out, and the band will perform the entire album. A recently released deluxe, double LP edition also marks the occasion.
The Jazz Institute Of Chicago will present the Chicago Winter Jazz Fair 2024 on February 23 from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm at Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street. The event will feature live performances, lectures, and numerous vendors. Performances include Marques Carroll’s Trumpet Summit; Windy City Jazz Electric; Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition; and Darwin Noguera. Admission is free.
An army of well-respected musicians calling themselves Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes have recorded a new version of “Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)” from the Dire Straits guitarist’s 1983 soundtrack album. The song will be available on March 15 and will benefit The Who’s Teenage Cancer Fund. Pre-order from Mark Knopfler’s official online store.
Tickets are now on sale for The Bad Examples at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights on April 20. The Chicago band has a number of albums brimming with clever and melodic songs reminiscent of Squeeze.
The Unswept, a Chicago power pop band that brings catchy songs and a bit if British humor to each performance, has just released a nine-track live album. Highlights include a cover of Marshall Crenshaw’s “Cynical Girl” and originals such as “Got Lucky” and “Try To Forget You.”
Plans for a stage version of Prince’s film/album Purple Rain are moving along; according to a recent story in the Chicago Tribune. The premiere, with a story by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and direction by Lileana Blain-Cruz, will take place at the State Theatre in Minneapolis Broadway in the spring of 2025.
Congratulations to Elton John and Bernie Taupin on being awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. They’ll be honored during a tribute concert being held in Washington, D.C. on March 20.
Heart will be in good company on both sides of the Atlantic during their Royal Flush Tour 2024. Cheap Trick will be the special guest for the North American concerts and Squeeze will be the special guest for the European concerts. Heart and Cheap Trick have justifiably been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and Squeeze jolly well should be.
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