Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The history on the walls and in the halls of the Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana matched the caliber of co-headliners when the Commodores and The Spinners brought a series of universally-adored classics of their respective styles together for “An Evening Of Icons.”

Led by multi-instrumentalist/vocalist William “WAK” King, who co-founded the group back in 1968, and longtimer James Dean “J.D.” Nicholas, the Commodores took the closing slot, addressing all their main Motown memories tallying more than 70 million album sales, amassing tons of chart-toppers and launching the meteoric solo career of Lionel Richie.

That meant funky favorites such as “Too Hot Ta Trot” and “Lady (You Bring Me Up),” alongside a bounty of ballads (“Easy,” “Just To Be Close To You,” “Zoom,” “Sweet Love,” “Sail On,” “Three Times A Lady”).

Either way, the Vocal Group Hall of Famers were on fire, especially during the Grammy Award-winning comeback track “Nightshift” and the disco delight “Brick House,” which filled up up the aisles with fancy dancing from overjoyed fans.

Meanwhile, the latest line-up of The Spinners, who have the fully blessing of recently retired originator/sole survivor Henry Fambrough after an astounding 69 years of service, came fresh off a 2023 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, plus the 2021 album “Round The Block And Back Again.”

Despite the lack of original members, Jessie Robert Peck, Marvin Taylor, Ronnie Moss and C.J. Jefferson, all of whom appear on the current collection, made sure their soulful harmonies came across quite authentically while tracing the dynasty’s doo-wop beginnings through the soulful side of the 1970s.

“Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “I’ll Be Around,” “Then Came You,” “Games People Play” and “The Rubberband Man” were just a few of the many grooves that will long outlive any specific line-up and continue to spark multi-generational sing-a-longs.

In fact, it was impossible to exit into the always colorful Hard Rock Cafe and casino without simultaneously thinking of multiple Commodores and Spinners’ smashes, which was yet another testament to each legendary act’s rarely surpassed endurance.

For additional information on the Commodores and The Spinners, visit CommodoresLive.com and TheSpinners.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Tim Allen (Jan. 27); Marlon Wayans (Feb. 2); George Lopez (Feb. 3); Rod Stewart (Feb. 10); Hannah Berner (Mar. 1); Bill Burr (Mar. 8); Peter Frampton (Mar. 18); Nikki Glaser (Mar. 22); Leela James (Mar. 30); Chippendales (Apr. 5-6); Matt Fraser (Apr. 11); Anthony Jeselnik (Apr. 18); Godsmack (Apr. 20); Chelsea Handler (Apr. 26); Trace Adkins (Apr. 27); David Foster & Katharine McPhee (May 4); Ben Schwartz (Jun. 14); Kevin James (Jun. 15) and Jason Mraz (Jul. 19). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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