2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the day that Jim, Bob, Larry and Mike got together and formed the band that would be renamed The Ides Of March! Sixty years. And after all this time, these childhood friends are still brothers and still play music together, along with Scott May (30-plus years and counting) and the top-flight brass section featuring Steve Eisen, Tim Bales and Henry Salgado.
Look for special events throughout the year as we celebrate this milestone!
Got the Pandemic Blues?
While the world is in turmoil the Cornerstones of Rock have been busy doing what we do best – entertaining the fans. Here is our latest for all you wonderful fans — “Pandemic Blues”!
With a parody lyric to “Summertime Blues” and lead vocal by the irrepressible Jimy Sohns to the basic track by 22-year-old guitar whiz Michael Weber, the Cornerstones came one by one to the studio and recorded their parts. With a powerful mix by Larry and Jim and video by John Dykas and Mark Voss we think “Pandemic Blues” is a perfect tonic to beat those covid blues. Crank it up!!!
See the video in our Video Section below, also on our officlal Facebook page www.facebook.com/IOMVehicle, or on our official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/theidesofmarchofficial.
The Ides of March felt the time was right for re-releasing our 1992 City of Chicago anthem “Spirit Of Chicago” with a brand-new lyric video done by Paul Braun.
Beside yours truly and all of the Ides our special guests included Dennis DeYoung, Cathy Richardson, the late Gary Loizzo (American Breed) and Jim Ellison (Material Issue), Frankie Sullivan, Rick Nielsen, John Melnick and Dave Carl. What a cast of Chicago classics including my co-writer Dick Eastman.
This song and video can be seen on the Ides’ YouTube channel and the Ides’ official Facebook page.
Special thanks to everyone who took part in this and the photographer Barry Butler and others who donated their brilliant images to the celebration of The Spirit of Chicago.
https://youtu.be/QJuGvv3nyD4
Jimbo and The Ides.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS. WE WILL UPDATE WITH THE NEW DATE WHEN AVAILABLE.
The Ides of March are proud and honored to announce that we have been inducted as Charter Members of the ILLINOIS ROCK AND ROLL MUSEUM ON ROUTE 66 HALL OF FAME.
The other Charter inductees are: Chicago, Cheap Trick, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, REO Speedwagon, and the Buckinghams. It is an honor to be selected along with this group of great artists!
Also being honored this year are legendary DJ’s Dick BiondI and the late Larry Lujack.
The induction ceremony will take place Sunday, March 29th, 2020 at 2 PM, at the Renaissance Center Ballroom, 214 N Ottawa Street, Joliet, Illinois.
We encourage all our great fans to join us and our fellow inductees at this ceremony.
Further information and ticket availability for the induction ceremony may be found at www.roadtorock.org.
The “Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66” is a public charity 501c3 nonprofit organization that exists to preserve the history of musicians and bands with ties to Illinois while educating visitors about Illinois’ rich music history.
It was another sold out, stellar night featuring The Ides of March, Dave Jenkins of Pablo Cruise, David Pack (formerly of Ambrosia,) blues master Anthony Gomes, Toby Hitchcock of Pride of Lions, Colin Peterik and Steely Dan tribute band Brooklyn Charmers, Yvonne Gage, Riley Pettrone and special surprise guest, Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Cher making his triumphant return to World Stage. (He was there for the first eight seasons of World Stage starting in 2000.)
The show rocked for three-plus hours, as Jim and the World Stage Band joined the guest artists to thrill the packed house with classic songs and great new music. This was the 21st annual World Stage show Jim has piloted through the years, and always proves it is never one to miss!
Our big 55th Anniversary Bash is coming soon! Join us at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan as we welcome special guests Mark Farner, former lead singer of Grand Funk Railroad, and Bo Bice, American Idol finalist/former lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears! This will be one you won’t forget!
https://www.geneseetheatre.com/events/detail/the-ides-of-march
Berwyn, IL – February 16, 2018: The IDES OF MARCH, who have enjoyed a 54 year career with all the original members, including Grammy Winner JIM PETERIK, returned to their Alma Mater MORTON HIGH SCHOOL for a gala pep rally on Friday, February 16th at 6pm in the Main Gym at Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois.
The Ides performed their #1 Classic hit “Vehicle” with the Morton Marching Band (Led by Brian Toms).
Five of the Ides (Jim Peterik, Larry Millas, Bob Bergland, Michael Borch, and Scott May) are all Alumni of the Morton High Schools, and all played in the Morton Marching Band during their years of attendance. The Ides’ Brass Section are from different Chicago Area communities, but they, too, played in their High Schools Marching Bands.
It was October 16, 2016, the day of the baby shower for Maisy Peterik when I happened to walk Betsy Larson from her car to the entrance of the Jam Lab where the event was being held.
I noticed a certain wistful look in her otherwise smiling eyes. “Jimmie, just got some bad news. I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer of the bile duct.” I tried to remain calm and offered her the standard encouraging word, but she seemed to possess a sixth sense about the journey she was about to take.
Thus started her brave battle with the cancer that rudely took her from us in the wee small hours of June 11th, 2017.
I remember clearly the gaggle of girls that surrounded us after the Ides Of March show at the Valley View Young Adults Club in Frankfort, Illinois – Friday night, February 29, 1970.
This date rings like a bell not only because it is the very day that “Vehicle” premiered on WLS, but also because two girls, Pam Stout and Betsy Resef, cuter and more attentive than the rest, emerged from the crowd and showed special interest in two of the Ides members. Pam took a special shine to guitarist and vocalist Larry Millas and Betsy to our lead horn player John Larson. Their interest was reciprocated and soon they were dating and double dating to beat the band. Before you knew it wedding dates were being set for both couples. And it all started at Valley View!!!
Betsy through the years was a dear friend and confidant to all. She was a great listener and always gave advice in a non- judgmental way. And if a little vulgarity is the spice of charm, she served up a very tasty dish!
As one of the “Brides Of March” (Norma Bergland, Pam Millas, Betsy Larson, Karen Peterik and Cyndy Soumar- and a bit later Gail Millas, Patsy Larson, Chris May and Mary Jane Borch) their camaraderie was legendary and their parties could get a bit wild! I remember after one of their Soires, Karen Peterik revealed that they all got more than a little tipsy on sweet cherry suise! And Betsy was the ring leader!
She and John stayed close, even after they divorced and John married Patsy and Betsy married Zeno.
Through the years the Ides alumni have always remained like family, so it was a utter shock when the reality hit of the severity of Betsy’s illness. The flood of tears is not soon to abate. Betsy was a flawless gem (a term she must have used often as a sales person at her parent’s Orange Blossom jewelry store on the South side.) Her smile could light a room, her comfort was our cushion, her humor could curdle milk and we will miss her until we meet again.
Shine on Bets – we love you.
From the heart of Jim Peterik and all the Ides and Brides of March. June 14, 2017
