Incoming

Happy belated birthday (April 5) to Allan Clarke, who served as the lead vocalist for The Hollies from their birth in 1962 until his retirement in 2000. (There were a few times in the 1970s when he went AWOL to pursue a solo career.) His distinctive voice can be heard on several Top 40 Hits, including “Look Through Any Window,” “I Can’t Let Go,” “Long Cool Woman,” “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” and “The Air The I Breathe.”

He also composed several great songs, as part of the GRALTO songwriting team of Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, and Tony Hicks.  In addition to his tenure with The Hollies, Clarke also scored an FM radio hit by singing lead on “Breakdown” from The Alan Parsons Project’s I Robot album. Clarke has returned to the recording scene with two well-received albums; Resurgence is 2019 and I’ll Never Forget in 2023.

Graham Nash kicked off a major tour this past Saturday in Lansdowne, PA, and it will run through September 19 in Fredericton, NB. The tour includes a July 26 stop at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, with Emmylou Harris as his special guest. Earlier today. I ordered a very very very fine “Our House” mug from the official Graham Nash website.

Chicago-based prog rock band McLuhan has been prolific since reuniting a few years back, and just released another single, this one titled “The Fireman and The Dragon.” McLuhan will likely perform that song this Thursday night as part of a triple bill at Reggies Music Joynt in the south Loop area. They’ll be joined by rockabilly/garage rockers The Jeebies (or Amazing Heeby Jeebies as they’re also known), and the indie rock trio The 321s.

The Robyn Hitchcock Live And Electric - Full Band Show is coming to the Athenaeum Center For Thought And Culture in Chicago this Friday night. Hitchcock, an eccentric and forever young English performer/songwriter has influenced countless musicians since his days with The Soft Boys in the mid-1970s.

As promised in a Facebook post last December, EXPO ’76 is returning to the Chicago club scene this month. Or as an announcement from the off-kilter but talented covers band stated romantically recently, “Returning To The Comfort Of Your Warm Embrace.” So, EXPO ’76 will perform at Simon’s Tavern on the city’s north side this Wednesday, and they’re “looking forward to seeing each of you, as well as everyone you've ever met, if they're not busy.” The fun starts at 8:30.

Joe Jackson’s new album Hope And Fury is due out this Friday. Jackson’s extensive 2026 North America Tour kicks off on May 11 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and will include dates at Park West in Chicago on May 19 and 20.

Guitar-driven, local rockers Outronaut promise to deliver Psymphonic Surf-Noir Crime-Jazz during their May 8 show at the Side Bar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The adventure starts 8:30 pm.

Long-time indie rock band Throwing Muses will perform at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL this Friday. Led by vocalist-guitarist and acclaimed songwriter Kristen Hersh, the band has years of material to chose from, but might concentrate on songs from their 2025 album Moonlight Concessions.

The 42nd Latino Film Festival will present 51 features and 31 shorts at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s north side from April 16 through April 27.

Lead vocalist and chief songwriter Scott Niekelski from Go Time! has a solo gig coming up this Wednesday at Buckledown Brewery in Lyons, IL. He’s been having success with these solo gigs. In related news, Go Time! will release its 11th album in the near future.

If your Mom has a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to City Winery Chicago for the Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks. On May 31, City Winery Chicago will present Highway Dream: 50 Years Of Tom Petty Brunch. Both brunches are PureSoul events, and will start at noon.

Tony Richards, whose solo jazz guitar performances have gained a loyal following around Chicago, will start a new series at Basil Leaf Cafe this Wednesday night. The venue is located at 2465 N. Clark Street.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. He’ll be at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL this Friday night at 7:00 pm.

The BoDeans’ 40th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL this Saturday. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.”

OUT HERE, a musical celebrating a family’s journey to finding unity and happiness, opens April 10 at the Court Theatre. The venue is located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.