Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The suggestion that “Rock And Roll Is Dead” may have increased in frequency with every passing year since Lenny Kravitz proclaimed it in 1995, but when he returned to a sold out Ravinia on the “Raise Vibration” Tour, the guitar great shattered his own theory. Whether it was tunes from that potent collection, easily his best since “5” a little over two decades ago, or roof raisers from yesteryear, the 55-year-old (who could realistically pass for half his age) provided a much needed jolt of attitude in an era when disposable pop stars reign supreme.

For the closing segment, Lenny Kravitz amplified his calls for unity alongside the hum of psychedelic strums, initially ending with “Love Revolution,” then returning with the similarly-themed but no less effective “Here To Love” and “Let Love Rule.”

On a newer note, “We Can Get It All Together” opened as a full-throttled prayer for self-improvement and peace, the familiar “Fly Away” sparked an instantaneous sing-a-long, while “Dig In” found the headliner and his seven-piece band further revealing their considerable chops. Kravitz soon rewound to the days of “Austin Powers” for his re-worked version of The Guess Who’s anthem “American Woman,” which earned an additional layer of inventiveness as he slid in bits of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “Get Up, Stand Up.”

Perhaps taking cues from that frequently topical reggae great or simply tapping into his own social compass, the current “Who Really Are The Monsters?” was a timely assessment of world affairs without ever getting explicating political. “The war won’t stop as long as we keep dropping bombs” and “it’s all about the money/it’s all about the fame/it’s all about control/it’s all about the game” were just a few of the attention grabbing lines that encased funky beats and sputtering grooves.

Kravitz’s soulful sensibilities also stayed right on target, especially when he dipped back to the tender ballads “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” and “I Belong To You.” Yet it was his six-string pyrotechnics throughout “Where Are We Runnin’?” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” that were amongst the most aggressive and astounding of the almost two-and-a-half-hour evening.

For the closing segment, Kravitz amplified his calls for unity alongside the hum of psychedelic strums, initially ending with “Love Revolution,” then returning with the similarly-themed but no less effective “Here To Love” and “Let Love Rule.” The latter in particular swept Ravinia up in the communal vibe when its fearless leader lapped the border of the pavilion and lawn in one final display of contagious positivity for concertgoers of any age or walk of life.

Click here for more photos of Lenny Kravitz at Ravinia.

For additional information on Lenny Kravitz, visit LennyKravitz.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Kesha (Sept. 8); Mary J. Blige (Sept. 13) and Morrissey with Interpol (Sept. 14). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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