More than 20 years after the inception of the semi-regular “G3” Tour, organizer Joe Satriani is keeping guitar enthusiasts on their toes when it comes to his all-star guests and collaborators. Though Dream Theater’s axe slinger John Petrucci appeared in several previous incarnations, it’s been about a decade since an American tour alongside his longtime pal, which coupled with the surprising but spectacular debut of Def Leppard/Delta Deep guitarist Phil Collen, ensured for another winning combination at the classy Chicago Theatre.

Thankfully, Collen returned with Petrucci after Joe Satriani’s performance for quite possibly the most enticing aspect of the “G3” experience.

Naturally, Satriani took the final slot, putting significant emphasis on his new album “What Happens Next,” but making sure to address several prior instrumentals with fire and finesse. There was the full-throttled opening of “Energy,” “Catbot” and “Satch Boogie” through the charging “Thunder High On The Mountain,” the chugging groove “Circles” and the dynamite “Summer Song” to name but a few that had faithful jumping to their feet.

In the middle came Petrucci, who played this exact venue at the end of 2017 with Dream Theater, but turned in a completely different set. Pulling from his solo album “Suspended Animation” and beyond, he cranked up the metal to maximum capacity the entire time, proving his sizeable skills within seconds, in spite of the mostly one-dimensional dynamic.

Phil Collen may have made his money from Def Leppard’s pyro-adorned “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Photograph,” but he traded those glossy rockers for the blues of his other band Delta Deep and no frills classic rockers (such as Deep Purple’s “Mistreated”). In addition to shredding well beyond the limiting boundaries of his day job, the superstar demonstrated some serious pipes, who alongside mightily soulful singer Debbi Blackwell-Cook and the rest of the remarkable band, begged for more than a mere warm-up window.

Thankfully, Collen returned with Petrucci after Satriani’s performance for quite possibly the most enticing aspect of the “G3” experience. Whether it was Deep Purple’s blazing “Highway Star,” “Stevie Wonder’s funky “Superstition” or solos galore, the extended jam session gave everyone an extra chance to flash their chops and turn an unexpected combination into a true triple threat.

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Click here for more photos of Joe Satriani, John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Phil Collen (Def Leppard, Delta Deep) at the Chicago Theatre.

For additional information on Joe Satriani, John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Phil Collen (Def Leppard, Delta Deep), visit Satriani.com, JohnPetrucci.com, DefLeppard.com and DeltaDeep.net.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation shows, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Chicago Theatre include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Feb. 24); Sebastian Maniscalco (Mar. 2-3); Bob Weir & Phil Lesh (Mar. 10-11); “Celebration Of The ‘70s” (Mar. 17); Brit Floyd (Mar. 23); Cedric The Entertainer (Mar. 24) and WGCI Presents “Take Over Jam” (Mar. 29). For additional details, visit TheChicagoTheatre.com.