Photos by Andy Argyrakis

One of punk, glam and new wave’s heaviest pairs may be framing their debut duo excursion around the unplugged format, but that didn’t mean Billy Idol & Steve Stevens’ stop at a super sold out Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet didn’t rock. While the stunning and historic venue wasn’t like the sweat-drenched clubs where the guys sharpened their teeth as the 1970s turned into the ‘80s, it was the ideal setting for some storytelling, master musicianship and punchy anthems galore.

But make no mistake, the Rialto was the place to be for this unique treat of a tour that found Billy Idol & Steve Stevens just as personable as they were musically ferocious.

As a primary voice and face of the MTV generation, Idol had loads to share about a variety of subjects, including rallying against racism in the alternative underground, facing mortality as a result of his father’s passing and having quite the intuition on what makes a smash hit, which was immediately evident with “Dancing With Myself” from his Generation X days. Stevens continues to be a guitar hero of the utmost proportions, accompanying his longtime collaborator and soloing with the expertise of a player whose resume includes Pink, Michael Jackson, “The Matrix” and “Top Gun.”

While the hits they shared together (“Catch My Fall,” “Sweet Sixteen,” “Eyes Without A Face”) were a major part of the program, the 100-minute night also gave glimpses of the guys’ vast influences. Whether it was a slice of Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock,” The Kinks “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” or Johnny Kidd And The Pirates turned The Guess Who’s “Shakin’ All Over,” Idol and Stevens kept right on accelerating, even in the stripped down setting.

The grandest moments of course came from “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding,” which completely brought the screaming house down and surely wet fans’ appetites for an electric set that lands at Naperville’s Ribfest on July 3. But make no mistake, the Rialto was the place to be for this unique treat of a tour that found Idol & Stevens just as personable as they were musically ferocious.

Click here for more photos of Billy Idol & Steve Stevens at the Rialto Square Theatre.

For additional information on Billy Idol & Steve Stevens, visit BillyIdol.net.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Rialto Square Theatre include Aaron Lewis (Mar. 27); Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show (Apr. 4); Church Basement Ladies (Apr. 9); Straight No Chaser (Apr. 24); Tony Bennett (May 10); “The Sound Of Music” Live On Stage (May 22); Criss Angel (Jun. 2); David Feherty (Jun. 28); Kristina Kuzmic (Jul. 12); Darryl Worley (Aug. 3) and “We Will Rock You” (Sept. 17). For additional details, visit RialtoSquare.com.

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