A practically non-existent summer concert season may be single-handedly saved thanks to the safety-conscious Labor Day Classic Rock-Fest featuring Voices Of Rock Radio at Jamie’s Outpost in Utica (about 90 minutes west of Chicago).

The line-up is loaded with instantly recognizable melodic mega-stars such as John Elefante (former Kansas vocalist), John Schlitt (originally from Head East and then Petra), Wally Palmar (leader of The Romantics), Charlie Huhn (Foghat’s front man) and Kevin Chalfant (Journey’s inaugural Steve Perry stand-in, plus singer for The Storm and 707), all of whom will be backed by their longtime shared band.

Along with Abby Normal and Three-O-Three, the day-long event in Utica spreads out across more than seven outdoor acres (the optimal conditions for social distancing), offers cash prizes for a unique mask competition and a promise to “rock responsibly.”

Chicago Concert Reviews rounded up remarks from BMI Award honoree Chalfant (whose additional credits include the Alan Parsons Live Project, Jim Peterik’s World Stage, Dennis DeYoung and his own Journey Experience), along with Grammy and Dove Award winner Elefante (further immortalized on the “St. Elmo’s Fire” soundtrack, as a producer and solo artist) and fellow Grammy/Dove recipient John Schlitt (also a Gospel Music Hall of Famer) for a full rundown on the festivities.

How would you describe the chemistry whenever the Voices Of Rock Radio get together? 

Elefante: I personally have been in lots of bands, as well as toured with many, and Voices Of Rock Radio is by far the most tight-knit, no-ego, fun band I’ve ever been a part of. All this translates on stage to a killer performance.

Chalfant: I’ve been doing shows with all of these guys for at least 10 to 12 years, maybe longer. When we were younger, we were all fighting for the same radio airplay space. Now we’re working together to put on the best classic rock fest in a band…These guys are rock stars and heroes of mine. I stand and watch these rockers through the eyes of a fan. The only difference is sometimes I get to jump up on stage with them and sing harmony. How cool is that?

Schlitt: The experience with the history represented on the stage brings a synergy between the guys. I believe this draws the audience into a fuller enjoyment of the music. It works! John Elefante is a close friend who produced many Petra albums. We also are currently together in the Jay Sekulow Band. I have worked with Kevin and Wally before. It’s always a pleasure to be on the same stage with them. Even though I have never met Charlie, I am looking forward to sharing the evening with him. I’ve been told by the other guys he knows how to rock! Excellent!

What can fans expect from your portion of the show? 

Elefante: Hit after hit after hit!

Chalfant: I never want to leave the stage without giving my best performance, so it’s always 100%. Sometimes I don’t feel 100%, but I give 100% of what I’ve got on that given night. I’m gonna be doing some Storm music, some Journey music, and if there’s time, maybe will even throw in a Beatles song or two.

Schlitt: My goal is to deliver the best quality of entertainment I can. I want them to enjoy the entire show!

Give us a snapshot of your time with these legendary rock bands.

Elefante: It was right out of a dream fronting [Kansas], who I consider the best band in the world. I was fortunate enough to be with all the original members. Being on stage with that kind of wall of sound behind you is hard to describe!

Chalfant: My life in the ‘80s living in the San Francisco area was a slice of rock & roll heaven. In all of the rock & roll magazines and newspaper articles that I had read growing up in the Midwest, I had always dreamed of going to the West Coast and taking a shot at the big time. That time had come in 1981 when I left Illinois on Christmas Eve. I had a great opportunity from a dear friend of mine, who is now deceased engineer/producer George Tutko [Rod Stewart, John Mellencamp]. George and I played in bands together in the ‘70s in our hometown of Streator, Illinois and he moved to California in the ‘70s. George had helped me become the new lead singer of the band 707 and George co-produced that record. It had my first hit song, “Megaforce.” I toured with 707 for a couple of years before the president of Boardwalk Records, Neil Bogart, passed away, ending the label almost immediately.

I did a lot of demos during that time. I recorded a record with Steel Breeze from Sacramento until finally hooking up with Ross Valory from Journey, Prairie Prince from The Tubes, Tim Gorman from The Who and Stef Burns, who at the time had been playing with Sheila E. and several other bay area bands, forming The VU. That band sort of morphed into The Storm after I started writing songs with Gregg Rolie [Journey, Santana]. The Storm toured for two years with Peter Frampton, Bryan Adams and a host of other popular groups.

Something else kind of fun developed through The Storm connection. I was asked to fill-in for Steve Perry in 1993 with Journey. We started working on songs together to record an album. Midway through that, Steve Perry decided that he wanted to come back to the band and they recorded a couple of records together. That special time in San Francisco, between 1981 and 1994, were magical years and I wouldn’t change a thing because I met so many lifelong friends that I still enjoy working with, even until today. It was a great pleasure and a great honor to be able to deliver songs from the Journey catalog live with that band, probably my most favorite band, only second to The Beatles ever. 

Schlitt: Head East and Petra were both similar in some respects. The music style of both bands was rock. Both bands had amazing songwriters and excellent musicians. Both bands were vocally-oriented and geared to live performance.

I began singing with Head East in 1969 when it was formed. I was a freshman in college. After juggling school and the band, I finally graduated from a five-year degree program in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. From then on, it was full-time band. In 1975, the band took the initiative to record their own album and became well known in the Midwest. In 1976, Head East was signed to A&M Records. In the four years from ‘76 until 1980, we toured with major acts of the ‘70s, playing arenas, Super Jams and major festivals. In that same time span, Head East recorded six albums, with the first one, “Flat As A Pancake,” going gold. Professionally, the band was building momentum to the top. Personally, I was headed for a cliff.

After leaving Head East in ‘80, I spent five years totally removed from professional singing. I had become a Christian, and was focused on my family and providing for them. In late 1985, I joined Petra. At that time, they had eight albums under their belt and were headlining tours, both in the US and internationally. My first show was in Brisbane, Australia in ‘86. It was the first show I sang sober in seven years. With the change of my life’s focus, Petra’s material was exactly what I wanted to sing. For almost 20 years, I toured with Petra and recorded 20 albums. In my opinion, I believe Petra was using the most exciting music form to convey the most important subject in the history of mankind.

Which of your current or future projects are you most excited about? 

Elefante: I am currently working on a record called “The Phoenix Project,” which I am writing and singing. Very exciting!

Chalfant: Voices Of Rock Radio has been the focus of mine since 2008. We’ve lost one of our founding members, Jimi Jamison [Survivor]. That sure sends a chilling wake up call to all of us as how limited our time is here on earth and it helps us to drive our performances to the peak. This is a great show and I spend most of my time focusing on the Voices Of Rock Radio these days.

Schlitt: In February of this year, I released my latest solo project entitled “Go!” I’ve been told it has the characteristics of both Head East and Petra. “Go!” leans toward the momentum of ‘70s rock with the familiarity of today’s sounds.

Concerts haven’t exactly been common this summer. Any tips for fans looking to safely get back in the scene? 

Elefante: Distance and common sense things like carrying had sanitizer and staying cognizant of your surroundings.

Chalfant: We are planning to do everything according to safe guidelines. I’m sick of my mask, I’m sick of washing my hands, and I’m sick of having distance between my friends, but I will tell you this, when we perform, we rock responsibly! This too shall pass.

Schlitt: Yes, be wise and enjoy!

What are you looking forward to about finally returning to the stage? 

Elefante: The reaction of the audience and playing live again with an incredible band!

Chalfant: I look forward to hearing the intro recording rumbling through the PA as the crowd starts to get excited, then the lights hit, that first Marshall power cord comes wailing out of the guitar player’s amp and we’re off to the races. Life has twists and turns, but rock & roll comes straight down the middle and that’s where we will meet you Saturday, September 5 at Jamie’s Outpost in Utica, Illinois on eight acres under the stars. There will be plenty of room to distance and yet we will all be together live in the dream.  

Schlitt: I have always been a “road warrior.” I have really missed the interaction with a live audience! There is nothing like it!

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Voices Of Rock Radio performs at Jamie’s Outpost on Sept. 5. For additional details, visit VoicesOfRockRadio.com, JamiesOutpost.com and Eventbrite.com.