Photos by Andy Argyrakis

She’s known for singing lead or background on an abundance of Phil Spector-produced singles, yet it was her classic contributions to the “A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records” album that finally made Darlene Love a household name.

Though the “Love For The Holidays” Tour is focused primarily on “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” there were still a handful of bonuses representing the non-seasonal side of the 1960s for the historic Arcada Theatre, which the veteran visited in between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday, December 18.

It was a testament to the caliber of company venue visionary Ron Onesti keeps and regularly brings to St. Charles, plus the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was quick to compliment the classy environment.

Alongside an extraordinary eight-piece band and three heavenly backing singers, the headliner commanded everyone’s attention with soulful renditions of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “A Marshmallow World” as she began “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”

A gospel section featuring “Where Could I Go But To The Lord,” “Up Above My Head” and “Saved,” straight out of a supporting role on Elvis Presley’s “The ’68 Comeback Special,” tapped further into the reason for the season, while Broadway’s “Hairspray” ballad “I Know Where I’ve Been” and the Steven Van Zandt-penned/produced “All Alone On Christmas” showed the depth of her versatile voice.

Following an intermission and some audience caroling, Love returned to the storied storied stage for “Joy To The World and “Jingle Bell Rock,” then reminisced with “He’s A Rebel,” “He’s Sure The Boy I Love,” “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home” and “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home”).

Additional gifts included “White Christmas” and Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir’s “Marvelous,” yet it was the iconic and personally originated “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” that brought the celebration full circle, suggesting there was no more cozy of a place to be during Advent than the Arcada.

For additional information on Darlene Love, visit DarleneLoveWorld.com.

Upcoming shows at the Arcada Theatre include Loverboy (Dec. 3); Kenny G (Dec. 4); April Wine and Lita Ford (Dec. 5); The Gilmour Project (Dec. 6); One Of These Nights: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute (Dec. 7); Matthew And Gunnar Nelson (Dec. 9); The Letterman (Dec. 10); Asleep At The Wheel (Dec. 11); Forever Donna (Dec. 13); The Lennon Project (Dec. 14); The Nielsen Trust (Dec. 14); Steel Panther (Dec. 17); John Bush (Dec. 18); Warrant and Bullet Boys (Dec. 19); Christmas Wizards (Dec. 20); Sara Evans (Dec. 21); “A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 22); “It’s A Wonderful Life” (Dec. 23); BoDeans (Dec. 27); The Association, The Cowsills and The Vogues (Dec. 28); Direct From Sweden – The Music Of ABBA (Dec. 30); Thunderstruck and ARRA (Dec. 31). For additional details, visit ArcadaLive.com.

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