ilentertainer's Latest Posts
Stage Buzz: Ratt at Concord Hall
Are you ready to Ratt ’N’ Roll again? The recent court battles between former drummer Bobby Blotzer and the rest of the members over the use of the RATT band name has finally been determined. The winners singer Stephen Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and bassist Juan Croucier, who are now joined by guitarist Carlos Cavazo […]
Feature Story – Joker Reunited
Do you remember Joker? The Chicago-based glam metal band of the late ’80s/early ’90s is making a comeback. Joker had a dedicated local following when hairbands roamed the earth, and they cut their teeth at the famed Thirsty Whale in River Grove. The band was also in rotation on local radio outlets WVVX, WWBZ “The […]
Photo Gallery – the xx at the Aragon Ballroom
Buoyed by the success of their new album, The xx brought the I See You tour to a sold-out Aragon Ballroom on a rainy Monday. The band returns later this summer as part of the considerably larger musical festival that will be affiliated with a musical operation called Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park. Curt Baran […]
May 2017: Media
When Wally Phillips retired from WGN Radio, the afternoon man Bob Collins replaced him. When Bob Collins died in a plane crash, the afternoon man Spike O’Dell replaced him. When Spike O’Dell retired, Steve Cochran was doing the afternoon show at WGN. “They offered me the job, and it was the worst deal offered to […]
Cover Story: Flogging Molly
In a few short days, the life of Django the Irish wolfhound would be over. At the age of eight – a long span for such a large breed – the gentle giant was suffering congestive heart failure, and in the past two months had lost over 40 of his original 195 lbs., and […]
Feature Story and Gallery: John 5 at Reggies
Astute music fans should already know that John 5 takes guitar playing to a stratospheric level. The virtuoso guitarist performs diverse musical styles including country swing, jazz, rock and industrial metal on his eighth solo album, Season Of The Witch. Joining John 5 on the album is his excellent band, The Creatures, consisting of […]
Stage Buzz: Robin Trower at Copernicus Center
British blues-rock guitarist Robin Trower is a living legend. If you haven’t heard of him by now, add his classic discography to your musical bucket list. Respect is properly due, because Trower has become the workman, prototype British blues guitarist including his start in Procol Harum in the late ’60s to a successful solo career […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Rise Against at House Of Vans
It’s been way too long, right?” Thirty minutes into Rise Against’s Friday night set at House of Vans new location in the West Loop, frontman Tim McIlrath voiced what so many in the crowd were thinking. Rise Against’s last full length, The Black Market, dropped in 2014, and the band has kept a relatively low […]
Riot Fest 2017 First Wave Of Bands Announced
RIOT FEST 2017 ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF BANDS September 15-17, 2017 / Douglas Park, Chicago IL Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, and the reunion of pioneering punk band Jawbreaker headline Riot Fest 2017. New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, M.I.A., Wu-Tang Clan, Mike D (DJ set) also among the 70+ artists revealed […]
Recap and Photo Gallery: John Mayer at United Center
John Mayer essentially wore 3 hats during the course of his show Tuesday at the United Center: pop songster with full band; singer/songwriter solo acoustic, and blues rock guitar aficionado with power trio. His rhythm section for the full band and trio was Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass, was exceptional. In […]
Stage Buzz Review: The Rolling Stones Exhibitionism at Navy Pier
The Rolling Stones Exhibitionism Navy Pier, Chicago Wednesday, April 12, 2017 With exponential amounts of albums, books, photographs, memorabilia and merchandise on the market relating to The Rolling Stones, it seems impossible that anyone could possibly unearth another morsel on what many might call the world’s greatest rock n’ roll band. But thanks to the […]
Sponsor Message: Kenny Rogers at Rosemont Theatre October 28th
Grammy-winning country superstar and music icon Kenny Rogers is coming through Chicagoland one last time on his Windy City stop on his “The Gambler’s Last Deal” tour stop when he arrives at Rosemont Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 28. The enduring Country Music Hall of Fame member and pop superstar has endeared music lovers around the […]
Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein at Big Shots
IE’s Ed Spinelli captured Misfits original guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein at Big Shots in Valparaiso, IN
Photo Gallery and Show Review: Radiohead at Sprint Center, Kansas City
If you scanned the parking lots at Kansas City’s Sprint Center on Wednesday night, you would have noticed something peculiar about the motionless cars. For each Missouri license plate, there were as many, if not more, vehicles adorned with placards from neighboring States and beyond. It would certainly seem to infer that if Radiohead doesn’t […]
Stage Buzz: Dave Davies at Arcada Theater
In 2014, the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” turned 50 years old. Since that astonishing milestone, guitarist Dave Davies has only gotten busier. After returning to touring work in support of 2013’s invigorated I Will Be Me, he followed quickly with 2014’s Rippin’ Up Time, the 2015 live album Rippin’ Up New York City, and […]
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