THE IDES AND CORNERSTONES AT SUMMERFEST!

/0 Comments/in , /by

Cornerstones of Rock Show Featured at Milwaukee Summerfest

The Ides of March will return to Milwaukee Summerfest in the “Cornerstones of Rock” show on Saturday, June 25, at 4:30 pm, on the Uline Stage.

Milwaukee Summerfest boasts the title of The World’s Largest Music Festival, with around 800,000 attendees per year, featuring a menagerie of world-famous musical artists. This year is certainly no exception. The Cornerstones show features 5 legendary Chicago rock bands with original members of The Ides Of March, the Buckinghams, the Cryan’ Shames, the Shadows of Knight, and the New Colony Six playing their greatest. See you there!

THE IDES ROCK THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Ides of March to Rock the Illinois State Fair (and eat funnel cakes!)

Beware! We’re excited to announce that on Monday, August 15th, The Ides of March will be playing the Illinois State Fair’s Grandstand Stage!

Held almost every year since 1853, (the exceptions being 2020 and … World War II) the Illinois State Fair is a convention of agricultural innovation, excellence, and amusement. The Ides are honored to perform on the same stage as other headliners Demi Lovato, Willie Nelson, Disturbed, Sammy Hagar, and others scheduled for the fair this year. Best of all, the Ides concert is free with admission to the fair!

THE IDES OF MARCH WITH STRINGS ATTACHED!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATELINE BERWYN, IL 17 MAY 2022
LEGENDARY ROCK GROUP GOES ORCHESTRAL
The Ides Of March to appear “with strings attached” in Addison, IL June 16th Chicago’s own THE IDES OF MARCH never run out of surprises. After all, how many rock groups have lasted 58 years with all the original members, including their Grammy-Winning, Multi-Platinum driving force Jim Peterik?
This coming June 16th, however, might be the best one yet, for on that evening, THE IDES OF MARCH will take the stage in Addison, Illinois alongside The Eye Of The Tiger Pops Orchestra, conducted by ED VODICKA; for a celebration of the Jim Peterik classic hits everyone knows and loves.
The IDES are well known for their brassy drive and heavenly vocal harmonies, but they’ve always wanted to take it one step beyond by adding violins, violas and cellos to the mix. Not to mention a few more folks on brass and woodwinds behind theirpowerhouse brass section, and added percussion to keep the show rocking. Jim Peterik’s uncanny knack for melody lends itself to this treatment, and their long-time Chicago pal, conductor/arranger Ed Vodicka made this dream come true composing the scores bringing a new air to Ides hits like “Vehicle” and “L.A. Goodbye”, and hits Jim has written or co-written for .38 Special and Survivor such as “High On You”, “Hold On Loosely”, “The Search Is Over” and the song the Orchestra is named for: “The Eye Of The Tiger”. Many more of Jim’s hits will round out the program.

Ed Vodicka has even composed an “Overture” based on the hit songs the Ides regularly perform.

It is going to be a grand evening.

“The Ides Of March…with Strings Attached” accompanied by “The Eye Of The Tiger Pops Orchestra-arranged and conducted by Ed Vodicka”. THURSDAY JUNE 16th, 2022; showtime 8 pm, at Friendship Plaza in Addison, Illinois; as part of their “Rock’nWheels” series. Admission is FREE.

Jim Peterik’s World Stage Performance Jan 25th Naperville, IL

/0 Comments/in , /by

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!

THE BIG 55TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW W/ SPECIAL GUESTS MARK FARNER, CATHY RICHARDSON, AND BO BICE

/0 Comments/in /by

The Ides will celebrate the release of their latest album, “Play On,” along with their 55th Anniversary year at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois on Saturday, October 26th. Joining the Ides will be special guests Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad,) Cathy Richardson (longtime friend and current lead singer of Jefferson Starship) and Bo Bice (American Idol finalist and former lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears.)

Tickets available here: https://www.geneseetheatre.com/events/detail/the-ides-of-march

55th ANNIVERSARY SHOW IS COMING UP!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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

Ides Open for Chris Isaak in New Lenox!

/0 Comments/in /by

The Ides will perform before the great Chris Isaak in New Lenox, Illinois, on Saturday, August 11th as part of the city’s Triple Play Concert Series in the Village Commons. The Ides will take the stage at 7:30pm in one of our favorite places to play! Aside from the Concert Series Tickets being sold, single tickets for the concert will be available at the venue, starting at 4 PM the day of the concert.  Come on out for an evening of great music!

Lions and Tigers and.. IDES ! Oh, my!

/0 Comments/in /by

The Ides played to a huge crowd last Saturday at the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois for their Summer Nights concert series. It was a perfect night for an outdoor concert, and the Zoo staff couldn’t have been more helpful in providing for a great evening! There were even some “tigers” in the audience to enjoy the show!

Cornerstones of Rock!

/0 Comments/in /by

It seems that people who grew up with the music of the 60’s and 70’s can’t get enough of the Cornerstones of Rock concerts being hosted by the Ides of March, and featuring original members of the Shadows of Knight, the New Colony Six, The Cryan Shames, the Buckinghams, and of course, The Ides.

The live version of the highly successful PBS Sound Stage program “Cornerstones of Rock- American Garage” played to several sold-out venues in 2017, and is lining up to play many more this year, starting on April 29th, at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, IL.  Later, this summer will bring the Cornerstones show to the famed Milwaukee Summer Fest, on June 28th.

It’s all about the songs! This show faithfully reproduces the songs made famous nationally by these Midwest “garage band” start-up groups, and rocks with the energy that makes audiences feel as young as their fondest memories of this great period of popular music. Come on out and enjoy!

We will be posting a more in-depth article on the “Cornerstones” in the near future.

The Ides Really Rocked The Boat This Time!

/0 Comments/in , /by

For the second year in a row, The Ides of March were honored to be invited to play on the mighty Moody Blues Cruise to the Caribbean. This year’s cruise featured many fine artists such as the Zombies, Alan Parsons, Ambrosia, The Orchestra, Richie Furay, Jefferson Starship and many more, and, of course, the new Hall of Fame inductees, The Moody Blues.

This is an awesome sea cruise, with great music and wonderful people, including our incredible hosts, the Moody Blues, the fine crew that has to pull off miracles to handle the intense schedule of the many bands and venues on the ship, and the cruisers, the music lovers who come to enjoy the music!

Playing to an overflowing crowd in the club venue, and a full house in the main theater, the Ides were welcomed back with great enthusiasm, and really rocked the boat, as shared in the pictures below. The Ides met many new and old friends at the merchandise signing after the theater concert, and we really hope to do it, again, in the future!

Photo by Iron Mike Savoia Photography