Incoming

2024 photo of Brad Elvis by Frank Corpus, from the Brad Elvis Facebook page.

This week’s Incoming post is late due to a (pleasant) family get-together yesterday.

On the plus side, it gives me an opportunity to wish drummer; vinyl records collector; rock and roll historian; and all-around nice/funny guy Brad Elvis a Happy Birthday. Brad’s resume includes performing and recording with Screams; The Elvis Brothers; Big Hello; and The Romantics. He and his wife Chloe F. Orwell currently lead the Pravda Records band The Handfuffs, and are well known and admired across the Chicago entertainment scene. Happy Birthday, Brad.

This is also the birthday of singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who has described himself as a rock; an old friend of darkness; and a fellow student of Julio. Happy Birthday, Paul. Thanks for “Sounds Of Silence” and so many other wonderful folk rock hits.

Unfortunately, the Incoming post delay kept me from noting that October 12 is the date Pat DiNizio, long-time lead vocalist of The Smithereens, was born. Along with other several Smithereens fans, I was able to chat with DiNizio on a number of occasions because he—and his bandmates—often met with audience members after performances. Rock In Paradise, Pat. You’ll never be forgotten.

Jim Babjak, lead guitarist/vocalist for The Smithereens, was a recent guest on entertainment writer Mark Caro’s podcast Caropop. Caro has a knack for interviewing rock musicians, and his conversation with Babjak is another gem. Babjak discusses his guitar playing technique; the origins of The Smithereens, the challenge of working with a rotating list of lead vocalists since Pat DiNizio passed away; and the possibility of upcoming releases from The Smithereens.

Dave Davies of The Kinks will bring his current revue Dave Davies: Kinks Songs and Stories to the City Winery Boston tonight. Dennis Diken, a founding member of The Smithereens, will be helping out on drums.

The Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian Up The Sharp End Tour is coming to The Chicago Theatre this Thursday. Rockabilly musician Rosie Flores will be their special guest. 

Artist submissions are now being accepted for the two nights of Jeff Buckley Tributes taking place at Uncommon Ground in Chicago on November 16 and 17. Song demos can be sent to https://www.uncommonground.com/jeff-buckley-tribute. Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 N. Clark Street.

Tommi Zender, a well known musician on the Chicago scene, will perform hit songs from 1966 this Sunday at the Glenview Public Library from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, as part of the library’s Sunday Music Series. Admission is free.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will perform a set of songs by the British band Small Faces tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon. A second set will offer songs from Paul McCartney’s latest album, as well as some Angotti original material. Montrose Saloon is located at 2933 W. Montrose Avenue.

Suki Waterhouse’s The Loveland Tour will make a stop at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago this Saturday. Rochelle Jordan will be her special guest.

Alt rock bands Young Fresh Fellows and Dot Dash will share a bill this Sunday at Hank Dietle’s Tavern, a venue that’s been around since the 1950s in Rockville, MD.

Vicki Peterson of the Bangles and John Cowsill of The Cowsills (and later The Beach Boys) have been touring in support of their Long After The Fire album for much of 2026, and have a show tomorrow night at The Avenel Performing Arts Center in Woodbridge Township, NJ.

The Smashing Pumpkins will bring their Rats In A Cage Tour to the United Center in Chicago tomorrow night. Billed as Two Unique Sets Celebrating Mellon Collie At 30 And Nearly Four Decades Of Unruly Hits And Dark Treasures, the tour will also include dates in Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Seattle, WA; and Los Angeles, CA.

Police vocalist-bassist Sting, who has found success with the band as well as with his solo career, will bring his 3.0 Tour comes to the Hard Rock Live in Rockford, IL this Friday.