Music News

ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA TURNS UP THE VOLUME AT THE ROSEMONT THEATRE

Fans of the TV reality show “Rock Star: SuperNova,” were out in force when the stars of the series rocked The Rosemont Theatre on February 4th. The 4,400 seat Rosemont Theatre, usually known for hosting soft pop/rock acts like Peter Cetera, Donny Osmond, Chicago, The Moody Blues, was rocking to the rafters as the bodacious TV reality show met the prim and proper concert venue.

The anchor of this two hour concert was Rock Star Supernova consisting of frequent paparazzi target Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) and lead singer Lukas Rossi. Together, they had the audience on their feet, hooting and hollering wildly in approval as they performed cover hits including a hard edged version of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” and the Stone’s “Let’s Spend The Night Together.” During their 90 minute performance the supergroup also performed a variety of their own original music. And as a special treat for their fans, some portions of their set were accompanied by a violin section!

Staying true to the TV reality show format, the show also consisted of performances by several of the top contestants which included Toby Rand and Dilana and as an extra bonus, the series host David Navarro.

Oddly enough, Navarro seemed to gather as much attention for his attire as his performance. Navarro appeared on stage, shirtless (despite the freezing Chicago weather) with his band The Panic Channel.

CBS’s second season of “Rock Star” was hailed as an innovative reality show, a la “Amercian Idol” for the true rock-n-rollers but with a twist- the winner would become the lead singer of a new band, a supergroup. This supergroup consisted of Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’Roses) and Jason Newsted (Metallica). After weeks of grueling competition, their lead singer was chosen: Lukas Rossi, thus setting the stage for a huge concert tour and

album. However, Jason Newsted, due to an injury, is replaced on tour by Johnny Colt (Black Crowes).

ROGER DALTREY - THE MAN BEHIND BLUE EYES
by: A. Jones

Roger Daltrey. Rock icon. Consummate actor. Humanitarian. And one a heck of a nice guy.

Huh? The hero of "My Generation," the original blond blue eyed rebel a nice guy?

Throughout the decades, Daltrey as part of the Who (Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Keith Moon), has made sure that a Chicago concert date was included in each of their world tours. Despite some of the original members passing on to rock-n-roll heaven, Daltrey and Townshend still continue as the Who! In fact, they are back in Chicago as part of their 60 city tour in support of their new dynamite CD "Endless Wire."

We were hoping to get an interview with Daltrey while he was here in Chicago, but as his management said, Daltrey needs to rest his voice for this grueling tour. What? Needs to rest his voice? The great Daltrey? Why, it's only 60 concert dates? Ok, let's be honest...touring is a young man's game....and considering that Daltrey has been touring since the 60's, it does eventually take its toll in one form or another. That's rock-n-roll. Disappointed? Yes...we are. Interviewing Daltrey is a real treat because he is a nice guy.

How nice of a guy? You'd be surprised at just how nice of a fellow this man is, I certainly was. I only met Daltrey once, but the experience is forever etched on my brain. Quite a few years ago, the late 1980's to be exact, Daltrey was in Chicago filming "Father Jim" (now called "Cold Justice"). I didn't bother to follow news of Daltrey's arrival since most of us were occupying ourselves with Paul and Linda McCartney's tour stop in Chicago, which was at the same time. But since Daltrey was in town, a mutual friend asked me to deliver an invitation to him. I was recruited as the messenger. Hence my mission began....

Where oh where would Daltrey be? Well, he was all over the city. Production was on a tight schedule, filming was ruthless.

As the weeks went by, it was harder to pinpoint where Daltrey would be filming. Just as my mission looked as it was about to fail, a moment of opportunity arrived. One of the scenes in the movierequired a large number of background performers and production utilized a local arena for thatparticular shoot. Yes, Daltrey would be there.

Inside this arena, there were many background performers mulling about and sitting in most of the seats. I felt a sudden urge to look up to one of the balconies. Daltrey was there, alone, except for one film assistant. As I approached, he broke out into a wide and welcoming grin. I handed him the invitation, we chatted for a while and before we knew it, we were surrounded by fans…absolutely surrounded. Undaunted by the large crowd, Daltrey proceeded to work the crowd. He took his time with each fan and accommodated them with not only autographs but pictures as well.

Then, the very big and extremely unhappy security guards appeared and started to demand that the fans leave the area. Again, undaunted, Daltrey stepped in and told security to leave them alone, that it was not a problem and if it becomes a problem then he’ll ask for their assistance and dismissed them on the spot. Daltrey went straight back to posing for photos and signing autographs, chatting with each and every individual.

I stood next to Daltrey and quietly observed how he made eye contact with each person, shook theirhand and actually paid attention to each conversation. He had a huge smile on his face and I was struck with how kind and patient he was. His charisma was overwhelming. There were great big bear hugs for everyone. Of course, I ended up as the official photographer and pen holder.

I was impressed. And after all these years, I have not forgotten that moment. I measure all the artists and performers that I come into contact with by how Daltrey treated everyone that day. A true gentleman in every since of the word. That is the stuff that legends are made of.

If you have a story or a photo to share about a wonderful encounter with Roger Daltrey email us at mailto:news@chicagoactor.com. We'd love to share some of your stories and photos!

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN...
by: A. Jones

On the heels of the recent announcement that Genesis (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks) are reuniting for a major tour this year, two other superstar groups are making major music news:

The Police (Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland ) are opening the Grammy Awards, Feb. 11th with a press conference slated for Feb. 12 in Los Angeles to make a "surprise announcement." This surprise announcement may not be such a big surprise after all...it's likely to be confirmation of the rumor that has been circulating for a few weeks- a reunion tour to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The group, known for their legendary loud disagreements as well as their music, went their separate ways about 20 years ago. Fans weren't completely Policeless all these years...the group had a very brief reunion for their induction into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

In the misquote that went around the world, Don Henley of The Eagles (Glenn Frey, Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh) was quoted as saying their new album will be out in about 30 to 60 days "if we don't kill each other first." What Henley actually said to a stunned crowd at one of his Las Vegas solo gigs was "if it kills us." The Eaglefans.com team have been trying to set the record straight since Henley was misquoted.

Fans have been getting sporadic pieces of new music the last few years. However, the closest thing to a new album was their 2006 Holiday release of three new songs as a bonus mini CD attached to their Live in Melbourne DVD, only available at Wal-Mart. Yep...you all heard right...Wal-Mart. This was their first release in their exclusive deal with Wal-Mart to sell this upcoming, long awaited, years in the making, album. Three songs, one of which is found on the DVD- "No More Cloudy Days"-is a Glenn Frey ballad. Two other tracks are included on this mini-album- "Fast Company"-a Don Henley driven rocker and "Do Something," - a country ballad sung by Timothy B. Schmidt. The Eagles are following in the footsteps of Country Music heavy hitter Garth Brooks. Brooks has had an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart for a few years.

Look for detailed concert announcements from these three supergroups in the next few months that will mostly likely include stops in Chicago. That should give us all enough time to start saving for what will likely be three very expensive concert tickets.

GENESIS ANNOUNCE THEIR 'TURN IT ON AGAIN' TOUR

Phil Collins will tour with Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks for the first time in 15 years - the only UK dates are at Twickenham and Old Trafford.

Collins said the tour was about playing classic songs, not about making money. "We're all loaded enough not to worry about where the next million or two is coming from," he said. 'Right time' "If money was the issue, we'd be playing more than 20 shows," added the musician.

The Genesis Turn It On Again Tour takes in 12 countries starting in Helsinki, Finland in June 2007 and ending in Rome, Italy in July.

"I just felt now was the right time to have a go at it," said Collins, who quit Genesis in 1996. Phil Collins left the band more than 10 years ago "I left the band and I did some things on my own, and the guys carried on. I used to listen to odd bits and pieces at home and I missed the camaraderie a bit." He said the band members had always stayed friends and had discussed getting back together many times. "We would bring it up every time we sat down together. Sometimes we talked ourselves out of it and finally we decided this was as good a time as any to do something."

The two British dates are Twickenham Stadium in London on 7 July and Old Trafford in Manchester on 8 July. A series of US dates are also planned. The band revealed that the orginal idea had been to reform with ex-bandmates Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett and perform the 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Collins said that the five members had met and discussed the plan, but Gabriel had been "more sensitive" about what such a reunion would mean. "This is just music, us getting together and playing some songs," he said. "Peter has been doing his thing since he left and he is just a little over-cautious about going back." Gabriel was a founding member of the band, singing with them until 1975, when he left to pursue a solo career. Keyboardist Tony Banks said that the Genesis gigs would include songs from most albums in the band's history. "If Genesis is playing on the radio, it tends to be Follow You Follow Me or I Can't Dance," said Banks. "Genesis has another side to it, a more complex area of music. One side gets slightly more attention than the other. We are trying to reacquaint people." Asked what the band thought of the recent All Saints reunion, Banks replied: "I'm afraid I didn't know they had split up. I haven't listened to very much since 1968."