Photos by Andy Argyrakis

This month marks Little Anthony’s 70th anniversary as an entertainer and there was no better way to mark the occasion than with a retrospective show at the stunningly restored Des Plaines Theatre, which did indeed feature material dating back to the 1950s.

The soulful pop star, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as leader of The Imperials, is now 85-years-old, though nonetheless still maintains the youthful charm and sky high falsetto that made him a household name all those years ago.

At this point on the rarely rivaled journey, the headliner attracted multiple generations who came to hear history-making hits, including the teenage beginnings of “Tears On My Pillow” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop” until today.

Not only did Little Anthony oblige, but he frequently shared revealing stories surrounding the selections throughout the 90-minute matinee, which followed a similar format as his latest “Little Anthony & The Music: An Anthology” double album.

Of course, there was nothing like getting to see and hear the living legend in person, backed by a five-piece band, two background singers and local horn section, especially as he crooned “I’m On The Outside (Looking In)” and “Hurt So Bad” in the street corner-style, since after all, the veteran pre-dated and now resists the doo-wop description.

In fact, when Little Anthony remade the eclectic likes of The Beatles’ “Something,” Motown’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and perhaps most surprisingly, The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” in his own unmistakable style, they may as well have come across like tenor-tuned originals.

On the contrary, “Goin’ Out of My Head” was one that everyone from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald to Luther Vandross tried in their iconic styles, yet there was no beating the man who initially crowned it a classic.

Although Little Anthony shows no signs of slowing down and is currently in the process of recording a new EP, “Never Say Never,” it was a privilege to see him at this particular point in time and another testament to venue owner Ron Onesti’s commitment to presenting such venerable voices, even if he truly turns out to be a tough act to follow.

For additional information on Little Anthony, visit LittleAnthonyAndTheImperials.org.

Upcoming shows at the Des Plaines Theatre include Linger: The Cranberries Tribute (Jun. 11); Todd Rundgren (Jun. 12); Hotel California: A Salute To The Eagles (Jun. 13); Joe Avati (Jun. 14); Five For Fighting and Edwin McCain (Jun. 18);  Sal Da Vinci (Jun. 19); Sacred Voices (Jun. 21); Jagged Little Pill: The Alanis Tribute (Jun. 25); Fan Halen (Jun. 26); A.J. Croce (Jun. 27); Danny Seraphine (Jul. 10); The Lettermen (Jul. 12); Ted Nugent (Jul. 14); Rose Stone & Vet Stone (Jul. 18); Jon Anderson And The Band Geeks (Jul. 19); Julio Iglesias, Jr. (Jul. 22); Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Jul. 26) and Arrival From Sweden (Jul. 31). For additional details, visit DesPlainesTheatre.com.

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