Eight legendary “garage bands” that came out of Chicago in the ‘60s and ‘70s will reunite at WTTW for a once-in-a-lifetime public television special, “Cornerstones of Rock: American Garage,” Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
The hour long show will be performed and taped in front of a live, capacity audience of 400 in the WTTW studio that still produces the music series “Soundstage.”
Singer/songwriter Jim Peterik of The Ides of March co-hosts with Wendy Snyder, Chicago rock radio DJ and WGN AM midday personality.
Joe Thomas’ HDReady producer of “Soundstage” is coproducing with WTTW and Thomas is directing; coordination and sound by Frank Pappalardo. Kim Matthes is producing for the station.
Grammy-winning director John Anderson (Brian Wilson’s “Imagination”) will direct interviews with the performers that will be part of the show and used during pledge drives.
“This special,” says Peterik “shines a spotlight on the local groups from the Chicago suburbs, who defined that era as they rose through the teen clubs all the way to national prominence. We are thrilled to bring them all together on the same stage.”
“Cornerstones” is tentatively scheduled to air December 10 on WTTW, and if not that specific date, definitely in December, before it will be offered to national public television stations.
Among original members of the bands:
The Ides of March: featuring Jim Peterik, Larry Millas, Bob Bergland, Mike Borch, Scott May, Dave Stahlberg, Tim Bales and Steve Eisen (“Vehicle”).
The Buckinghams: Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna (“Kind of a Drag”), plus Bruce Soboroff (keyboards/vocals), Bruce (Rocky) Penn (drums/vocals), Dave Zane (guitar/vocals), Carlo Isabelli (trumpet), and Charles Morgan (trombone). Special guest, original singer Dennis Tufano.
The Cryan Shames: Tom Doody, James Fairs, and Jim “J.C. Hooke” Pilster “Sugar and Spice”).
The New Colony Six: Ray Graffia and Ronnie Rice (“I Confess”).
The Shadows of Knight: Jimy Sohns (“Gloria”), with Dennis Tufano and Ted Aliota.
The McCoys: Rick Derringer (“Hang on Sloopy”).
The American Breed: Gary Loizzo, Al Ciner, Chuck Colbert, Jr., and Lee Graziano (“Bend Me, Shape Me”).
A tribute to the band Chase (“Get it On”) performed by the Ides of March, with an appearance by Chase member Dartanyan Brown.
A tribute to the late Mitch Aliota (Aliota Hanyes Jeremiah) featuring The Ides of March, Ted Aliota and all of the groups performing will salute the jazz/rock/fusion band Chase (“Get it On”) with Chase member, Dartanyan Brown.
For the grand finale, The Ides of March, Ted Aliota and all the groups pay tribute to the late Mitch Aliota (Aliota Haynes Jeremiah), performing “Lake Shore Drive.”
Buckinghams’ Carl Giammarese calls it “a special song that resonates with anyone who grew up in Chicago. It was the central road that took you to see people and places you’d remember the rest of your life, and safely back home again.”
A meet and greet for VIP guests and performers takes place before the show.
