Incoming

Photo of Mick Jagger from Official Rolling Stones Facebook page.

Here’s an enthusiastic “Welcome Back!” to England’s long-running hitmakers The Rolling Stones, who will perform at Soldier Field in Chicago this Thursday and Sunday as part of their Hackney Diamonds Tour. It’s been a while, lads. A post on the band’s official Facebook page states Chicago area fans can still purchase tickets at axs.com starting at $99.50.

Those going to either Rolling Stones concert can drop by an event AARP and WXRT are staging on each of those nights at Reggies Chicago and catch a free bus ride to and from Soldier Field. Reggies is located just south of downtown. Participants who show up at Reggies on Thursday will have a chance to win tickets for Sunday night’s Rolling Stones concert, and those who come on Sunday could win a merch bundle.

On a related note, Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago will host Band 2 - Tim Ries And Bernard Fowler - A Loving Celebration Of Charlie Watts at 7:00 pm on Friday. The Martyrs’ Facebook page notes, “We are thrilled to continue our tradition of hosting memorable concerts with Tim Ries, Bernard Fowler and special guests when the Rolling Stones are in town.”

Happy Birthday to Colin Blunstone, who’s been the lead vocalist for The Zombies all these years, and can still belt out those British Invasion hits with amazing soul and power. I had the honor of doing a phone interview with him for the Illinois Entertainer some years back and he was a such a nice guy. His final comment, “I’ve rather enjoyed our chat,” is just about my favorite thing any interviewee has ever said to me.

The Smithereens, with Marshall Crenshaw serving as guest lead vocalist, will be the headline act this Friday night at the City Of Wood Dale Prairie Fest in Wood Dale, IL. The music starts at 9:00 pm.

Long Grove, IL will present a Blues Fest at Brothers’ Field this Saturday starting at 1:00 pm and Sunday starting at noon. Saturday’s lineup of performers will include Willie Buck, Sheryl Youngblood, Ivan Singh, Casey Lee, and the Blue Line Blues Band; Sunday will offer a more laid back approach featuring various performers.

There will be a Catfight 20th Anniversary Reunion featuring band members Julie, Rose, Lori, and Lisa at the Backlot Bash being held this Sunday, June 30 on Chicago’s (5248 N. Clark Street) north side.

Squeeze has been giving the world clever and irresistibly catchy songs for decades, and has a sold-out show this Friday at the Glastonbury Festival - Pyramid Stage in Glastonbury. That event kicks off five months of touring back and forth between the UK and USA. After a gig on the Isle Of Man on August 6, the band will fly off a week later for a performance in Eugene OR. Other North American stops include Oakland, Costa Mesa, Phoenix, Austin, Nashville, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, New York, and Orlando. Squeeze will return to the UK in early October and continue touring there through November. Tickets are now on sale for the Squeeze concert on September 5 at the Chicago Theatre. The English Beat will be the special guest for that night.