Collection and Jim Irsay Band with Heart, R.E.M. members, Buddy Guy, KWS impress Navy Pier

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Chicago native Jim Irsay is best known for owning the Indianapolis Colts, but he’s also a lifelong musician and avid collector of priceless memorabilia, primarily when it comes to entertainment, sports and American history.

Rather than keep it on display in what’s sure to be a sprawling basement, the mogul rented out Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom and threw a party of “Dynasty”-level proportions where it was all on display for his notable friends, press and lucky members of the public able to score a slot.

The museum-styled exhibit featured everything from many of The Beatles’ actual instruments, to one of Elton John’s pianos, Jackie Robinson’s baseball bat, Muhammad Ali’s championship belt, a ridiculously rare $10,000 bill, plus a letter penned by Alexander Hamilton for President George Washington.

As Irsay said himself during a jam-packed press conference, he’s always on the hunt for new artifacts and aggressively went after late Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar, while having astronaut Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit on the wish list, if it ever becomes available.

Speaking of another “Man On The Moon,” the host introduced an all-star band (who also double as his football buddies), which included Mike Mills, coming out of R.E.M.’s retirement, guitar slinger Kenny Wayne Shepherd, session drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff and many other major players who’ve come together with the goal of tapping back into the garage days of their youth.

Along with the exceptional skills they’ve acquired along the way, everyone took the stage together as Irsay channeled his inner Pink Floyd before handing over the microphone to Mills for “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” and “Superman,” along with Shepherd for some serious blues belting and finger picking.

It was followed by a surprise appearance from 86-year-old genre originator and local hero, Buddy Guy, who remarked at the group’s ability to jam through a few of his classics, despite having never rehearsed with them.

As if that wasn’t enough, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ann Wilson, as in the singer of the legendary Heart, took total ownership of a few Led Zeppelin and Van Morrison covers, prior to tearing up The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter” as a duet with Irsay, who emphasized the use of its lyrics in the pursuit of social justice as he bid attendees adieu.

Typically, such all-around splendor is reserved for the grand opening night of a lengthy run, but the Jim Irsay Collection was surprisingly and unfortunately here for only a single night on a select tour, which will hopefully not be the case if it ever comes back, especially considering how much it had to offer beyond the once-in-a-lifetime performance.

For additional information on the Jim Irsay Band and Collection, visit JimIrsayCollection.com.

For a list of upcoming concerts at Navy Pier, visit NavyPier.org.