Despite not usually being the center of attention, Max Weinberg is nonetheless one of the world’s most renowned drummers who’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

But the frequent Bruce Springsteen and Conan O’Brien collaborator is also no stranger to leading several solo projects revolving around the blues, big band and the golden oldies that inspired him along the way.

The latter was on display when Ravinia hosted Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, a celebrity cover band of the tallest order featuring guitarist Chris Holt (Don Henley), fellow six-stringer John Merjave (The Weeklings) and bassist Glen Burtnik (The Weeklings, Styx, The Orchestra), all of whom let the audience steer the show.

Given the beat keeper’s ability to march to The Boss’ orders with a moment’s notice or instantly weave in and out of commercials on live TV, no radio-played request from the 1960s, ‘70s or ‘80s was off limits as the audience sat on the edge of their pavilion seats or picnic blankets to hear what would come next.

After opening with Deep Purple’s “Hush” and David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel,” Weinberg made his way into the audience to get the first round of what wound up being several suggestions with fans lobbying for the likes of The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love,” The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Breakdown.”

As the almost two-hour night progressed, so did the punch of Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl,” and AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell.”

The headliner particularly showed off his playing chops while respectively channeling the lost but never forgotten drum gods John Bonham and Keith Moon throughout Led Zeppelin’s “Rock And Roll” and The Who’s “I Can See For Miles.”

Naturally, an evening of this nature couldn’t be complete without at least a few trips to E Street and Weinberg enthusiastically obliged with the Elvis Presley-intended “Fire,” the classic “Pink Cadillac,” the rare “She’s The One” and the iconic “Glory Days,” getting everyone to their feet as they firmly grasped one of the last weekends in Ravinia’s extended summer.

Max Weinberg also performs at City Winery on Thursday, September 23. For additional details, visit MaxWeinberg.com and CityWinery.com/Chicago.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include the “Grazin’ In The Grass DJ Night” featuring Frank Orrall (of Poi Dog Pondering), DJ Madrid and Joe Bryl (Sept. 23) and Andrew Bird with The Flat Five (Sept. 24). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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