1950s Archives - Chicago Concert Reviews

Not quite “The Last Waltz,” Engelbert Humperdinck serenades Des Plaines Theatre before Arcada

The longevity of Engelbert Humperdinck is practically unmatched, who at 88-years-old, boasts well over six decades in show business and continues recording or traveling at [More…]

“The Last Waltz” in Des Plaines, Arcada won’t be end of balladeer, rocker Engelbert Humperdinck

At 88-years-young with show business beginnings dating back to the 1950s, Engelbert Humperdinck may very well hold a record when it comes to longevity and unceasing love from [More…]

O, what a Hard Rock Live night was Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons’ “The Last Encores”

Farewell season is in full swing and few are as hotly anticipated as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, whose legendary front man is now 90, but is nonetheless [More…]

Now Drury Lane “Got A Friend” and “Feel The Earth Move” in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”

No matter how often “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” makes the touring or regional rounds through the Chicago area, it’s a perennial favorite that’s just as fresh [More…]

PureSoul Presents City Winery with “A Quincy Jones Celebration” in honor of the late local

The late 2024 loss of producer, composer, arranger, conductor, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and first ever Black record label executive Quincy Jones was immeasurable, [More…]

First ever chart-topper, genre Grammy winner Chubby Checker twists his way towards Arcada

“American Bandstand” host and “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” founder Dick Clark once said, “The three most important things that ever happened in the music industry [More…]

Marriott Theatre’s “The Music Man” breaks out “Seventy-Six Trombones” of timelessness

The 1950s had its fair share of Broadway showstoppers, but one that’s still being talked about is Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man,” especially after being revived a [More…]

Cadillac Palace portrayal of complicated jazz king Louis Armstrong is “A Wonderful World”

So many standards Louis Armstrong popularized or personalized throughout the last century are permanently woven into America’s artistic fabric, but ever since his passing [More…]

Des Plaines Theatre “Dancing In The Streets” over the “Heat Wave” of Motown’s Martha Reeves

Prior to finding global fame as the superstar singer behind “Dancing In The Street,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Heat Wave,” “Nowhere To Run” and tons more, Martha Reeves [More…]

“Ring Of Fire” heats up Drury Lane with the currency of Johnny Cash’s country and gospel legacy

Few country and gospel artists crossed over to all audiences to the degree of Johnny Cash, or rocked as hard in the process, while his authenticity behind the scenes also [More…]