Stage Buzz: Tribute Weekend!
MJ Live
January usually means snow and cold in Chicago and reduced touring schedules for a lot of bigger bands. It also opens up tour dates, which means national tribute bands get to showcase their wares to fans. This weekend a couple of acclaimed tribute acts from opposite ends of the musical spectrum will hit the stage downtown and in Rosemont. The bonus is this week’s forecast: eliminate the snow and cold!
MJ Live – Rosemont Theatre, Saturday, January 21
With Michael Jackson’s unexpected death in 2009, good MJ tribute acts are relatively rare, because let’s face it – it’s extremely hard to accurately recreate the musical and physical range he commanded on stage. MJ Live is a touring version of the acclaimed Las Vegas show billed as the “ultimate tribute to The King of Pop.” As you’d expect Michael’s biggest hits are featured, including “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Black & White,” and Jackson 5 hits like “I Want You Back.” This is no hologram show, MJ Live checks all the boxes: the music, the dancing and the spectacle that was a 1990s Michael Jackson show.
Led Zeppelin 2 – House Of Blues Chicago, Friday, January 20 & Saturday, January 21
This touring version of the respected Led Zep tribute show has a unique Chicago flavor to it, featuring longtime Yakuza founder Bruce Lamont (as Robert Plant) and acclaimed Busker Soundcheck guitarist Paul Kamp (as Jimmy Page). Launched on a whim nearly a decade ago, Led Zeppelin 2 found they have a winning formula – they actually look and sound like the British rock gods. Since the original Bonzo-backed Zeppelin hasn’t toured since the ’70s, Led Zeppelin 2 is the next best thing.
Other tributes of note this weekend include Monsters Of Mock II (including Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue AC/DC and Scorpions tributes) at Joe’s Live in Rosemont and Chicago’s stalwart Metallica tribute band Damaged Justice at Brauerhouse in Lombard.
– IE Staff
Category: Stage Buzz
