Essentially a one man show (although we all know there
are many moving parts behind the scenes), the program features Jim center stage
with just an amplified acoustic guitar (hey, isn’t that an oxy-moron?), discussing every aspect of his career … from
his very first taste of success with The Ides Of March in 1966 (“You Wouldn’t
Listen” … OMG, he even played “Like It Or Lump It” live on stage … I don’t
think I’ve EVER seen that before!) through the worldwide explosion of “Vehicle”
(where the audience got to sing all of the horn parts and background vocals)
and on to the days after the Ides broke up and Jim was singing jingles (he even
samples a few!), where he met Dave Bickler and ultimately formed Survivor, at
which point he soared to even greater success with eight more Top 40 Hits,
including “Eye Of The Tiger,” one of the biggest hit records of the past forty
years. (Naturally, he also tells the
story of the magical phone call he received from Sylvester Stallone, asking him
to write a song for the next “Rocky” movie … a phone call that forever changed
his life.)
All of this is complimented by an on-going slide show
that also features video performances of key highlight moments in his
career. (Dick Clark featuring “You
Wouldn’t Listen” in the spotlight dance on “American Bandstand” … and other
artists like Tom Jones, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bo Bice covering “Vehicle” on
television.)
PHOTO of JIM WITH HIS VERY FIRST GUITAR …
HE HAS AMASSED QUITE A COLLECTION OVER THE YEARS …
AND
SHOWCASES MANY OF THEM IN HIS
2018 “GUITARS THAT FOLLOWED ME HOME” CALENDAR
Jim is a very entertaining story-teller, and while the
stage show makes for the perfect companion piece to his autobiography of the
same name, there is something about hearing these stories again performed live
(with musical accompaniment) that really brings this program full circle. (He also sampled a couple of hits that he has
written for other artists, such as Sammy Hagar and .38 Special.)
But it’s not just about the music. Jim also discusses personal highlights,
recounting how he met his wife of nearly fifty years, Karen … the birth of
their son Colin and, more recently, a brand new grand-daughter (with a grandson
on the way!) There is no question that
Jim feels truly blessed by the life he’s been allowed to lead (thanking Great
God In Heaven on a daily basis, I’m sure) … but the presentation is also highly
motivational in encouraging viewers to never give up on their own dreams … and
he is living proof that dreams DO come true.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, the entire proceedings
were video taped for future DVD release, which will be sold at these future
gigs as a souvenir show memento, as well as thru his website for those unable
to attend one of his concert performances.
(In addition to his book, it’ll make for a great way to relive the
show.)
Our presentation was MC’d by Mancow (who tells us that
he’ll be back on the air here in Chicago next month … and is clearly a HUGE Jim
Peterik fan and friend.) In addition, we
had the special bonus element of having The Ides Of March join Jim on stage to
perform the background vocals on their #2 local hit “L.A. Goodbye” … a treat
that won’t be shared in this brand new road show.
I have to give Jim major props at all of the new ways
he finds to continue to present his catalog to his fans. (More recently he reimagined his music with
all new arrangements … and now we’ve got this brand new career retrospective
that is entertaining and enlightening from start to finish.)
We’ll keep you posted as show dates are added.
Meanwhile, you can catch Jim Peterik in concert (both
with The Ides Of March, as part of The Cornerstones Of Rock and in another
presentation of his World Stage) here through the end of the year:
October 6th – World Stage – Moraine Valley
College – Palos Hills, IL
With special guests The Ides of March, Colin Peterik, Danny
Seraphine and Bill Champlin, both formerly of the band Chicago, Mike Reno of
Loverboy and Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad
November 2nd – Cornerstones of Rock – The
Genesee Theatre – Waukegan, IL (featuring The Ides Of March, The Buckinghams,
They Cryan’ Shames, The New Colony Six and The Shadows Of Knight)
November 24th – Cornerstones Of Rock –
Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL (featuring The Ides Of March, The Buckinghams,
They Cryan’ Shames, The New Colony Six and The Shadows Of Knight)
December 15th – The Arcada Theatre – The Annual Ides Of March Christmas Show
Frannie was able to get some great shots of the show …
so we’re sharing a few of those with you today!
(Thanks, Hon!) kk
