Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Long before the term “yacht rock” was coined, Pablo Cruise was practically inventing the style, coasting through the 1970s into the ‘80s with some of the most sophisticated sounds around.

Though the group took a lengthy hiatus after that primary time frame, co-founding guitarist/vocalist David Jenkins and keyboardist/fellow singer Cory Lerios finally reunited in the 2000s much to the delight of longtime listeners.

Thankfully, it’s been smooth sailing through today, thanks in part to the all-star additions of bassist/vocalist Larry Antonino (“That Thing You Do!”), singer Robbie Wyckoff (Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters) and drummer Sergio Gonzalez (Jennifer Lopez).

Together at the acoustically pristine North Shore Center For Performing Arts in Skokie, their harmonies were as crisp as a summer breeze throughout almost two hours spent on the multi-platinum past, including “Worlds Away,” “Cool Love,” “Raging Fire” and “Atlanta June.”

Even outside of Pablo Cruise, Jenkins and Lerios had considerable success, especially during outside collaborations and writing for movies or television, and each offered respective solos of “Livin’ Inside Of Your Love” and “I Get Tired Just Thinking Of You.”

They returned to full band favorites come “A Place In The Sun,” which took its title from the palm-tree adorned album of the same name, plus further explored flavorful follow-ups “Don’t Want To Live Without It” and “Love Will Find A Way.”

Since so much of Pablo Cruise’s imagery surrounded its increasingly iconic logo, it might not have been as commonly known just how many hits these guys personally accumulated until actually hearing them all in a single setting.

“Whatcha Gonna Do?” and “I Want You Tonight” were a few additional examples, ending the expansive evening by tapping into both the signature rock and soul elements of the headliners, while allowing the musicians to stretch out beyond the recordings.

It should also be noted that Pablo Cruise gave a shout-out to the first responders keeping the country safe and encouraged everyone to check their cares at the door, resulting in a chance to simply drift away and relax to a soundtrack of nothing but easygoing classics.

For additional information on Pablo Cruise, visit PabloCruise.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts include “Carousel” (Aug. 8); Mac McAnally (Aug. 22); Brett Dennen (Aug. 23); Chicago Korean Dance Company (Aug. 24); Clergy Boys (Aug. 25); Ann Hampton Callaway (Sept. 7); Andy Grammar (Sept. 8); Skerryvore (Sept. 12); Eddie B. (Sept. 13); Esperanza Spalding (Sept. 16); Chris Botti (Sept. 19); Jeff Garlin (Sept. 20); Daniel Villarreal (Sept. 21); Roger McGuinn (Sept. 25); Nick Carter (Sept. 28); Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (Oct. 5); Joan Osborne and Joshua Radin (Oct. 8); Lewis Black (Oct. 9); “What The Heck Knows!” (Oct. 13); Blind Boys Of Alabama (Oct. 18); “Little Shop Of Horrors” (Oct. 24); Steep Canyon Rangers (Oct. 24); Marc Maron (Oct. 25); “Mizantrop” (Oct. 26); The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (Oct. 31); “Napoleon Dynamite” Live! (Nov. 8); Ryan Hamilton (Nov. 9); Modi (Nov. 13); Max Jobrani (Nov. 16); National Geographic Live (Nov. 17); Elon Gold (Nov. 17); “Swan Lake” (Nov. 20) and “Legally Blonde” (Dec. 19). For additional details, visit NorthShoreCenter.org.

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