ROCK ‘N’ ROMANCE ‘N’ ROLLING WAVES

/in , , /by

In March, we returned to the Caribbean by way of the “70’s Rock And Romance” cruise. On this one, you play either the “first half” or the “second half”, and we were on the latter leg. We flew into Cozumel’s nifty little Airport (how cool it is to descend the “old school” staircase and see the massive aircraft up close). After a night’s stay at the incredibly posh “El Presidente Intercontinental” Hotel we boarded the Celebrity Summit the next morning. We had a number of friends on this leg of the cruise: John Lodge from the Moody Blues, The Jefferson Starship, and Danny Seraphine first and foremost. New friends included the gents from “Toast”, a stellar tribute to the group “Bread”, and the “Who Generation”, who did a great sendup of the Who’s hits. The folks from the production company “StarVista” were also glad to see us, remembering us from cruises past.

We played 2 shows in the “Pool Area”: the first a late-night party (11pm!) in the cool night air. 2pm on Friday found us back on deck with a packed crowd. Weather was a bit overcast, but that was actually a blessing, for we were spared the blazing tropical sun and its relentless heat. Our old pal Cathy Richardson from the Starship joined us onstage for the powerful duet with JP on “Blue Storm Rising” from our latest “Play On” Album. Always a treat to jam with C.R.!
We also did a fun Q&A session and “meet/greet”, which was taped and ran on the ship’s TeeVee system. It was great to meet fans from all over the world, and wouldn’t you know it, more than a few from the Chicagoland area.

All-in-all, 2 fine voyages. If you haven’t been on one of these, we recommend you try one-(especially if we’re featured). Keep an eye on our website…

CONCERTS AT SEA? WHY NOT!

/in , , /by

The first quarter of the year has been an “ocean breeze” for the IDES. Literally! We’ve been on 2 cruises-“Concerts At Sea” in January, and “70’s Rock And Romance” in March. Both voyages were great fun for the band, and brought our music to the fans old and new.  The January sojourn found us in good company with the Platters, the Coasters, Chubby Checker, Chris Montez, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. What a joy it was to see, hear, (and hang) with some of the architects of Rock and Roll. The “Sea Princess” was a luxurious ship, and the “staff” musicians were wonderful to hear, perfect accompaniment to after-hours nightcaps. We played one show in the Theatre to a rousing audience, and the folks certainly let us know how much they appreciated  it. The “Concerts At Sea” cruise has been going now for over 30 years-it was started back then by Mark Lindsay of “Paul Revere & The Raiders”. Unlike the other cruises we’ve been on, this group was only about 1/3 of the entire ship’s population, and there is a warm, familial vibe running through it. There are folks who have been on every sailing, and the folks who run it couldn’t have been more welcoming to us. We’ve made a whole bunch of new friends, and it wouldn’t surprise us if we weren’t back on “Concerts At Sea” in the near future.

IDES AND SCOTT MAY INDUCTED INTO ROCK GODZ HALL OF FAME

/in , /by

A wonderful accolade was bestowed upon the IDES on the 16th of February when we were inducted into the ROCK GODZ HALL OF FAME. The induction ceremonies were held at the sprawling “JOE’S LIVE” venue in Rosemont, Illinois, and we were in fine company. Also inducted that evening were our old pals THE BUCKINGHAMS (with poignant posthumous inductions of Jon Poulos and Marty Grebb), Impresario Grande RON ONESTI, Guitar Builder DEAN ZELINSKY, Bass Giant BILL “BUDDHA” DICKENS, Local legend BRAD ELVIS, Styx Drummer TODD SUCHERMAN, and DAN DONEGAN of the band Disturbed. Our own keyboardist SCOTT MAY was inducted under his own name.

We played 3 tunes to a rousing reception, and each IDE offered their gratitude. A fine dinner, great cocktails and warm brotherhood with the other inductees put a bow on a great evening we will remember for a long time to come.

IDES TO BE INDUCTED INTO ROCKGODZ HALL OF FAME

/in , /by

ROCKGODZ Hall of Fame Awards 2025 to Honor Legendary Musicians and Industry Leaders in Rosemont, IL.

The ROCKGODZ Hall of Fame is proud to announce their 2025 Awards Show in Rosemont, IL, on February 16th at the legendary Joes Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 66018. This event will honor some of Illinois most influential local musicians and industry leaders.

The Inductees include members of The Buckingham’s, Carl Giammarese, Nick Fortuna, Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb (in memoriam), John Poulos (in memoriam).  Also being inducted are members of Ides of March, Jim Peterik, Larry Millas, Mike Borch, Bob Berglund, Scott May (also of Hammond Organ).  Other local celebrities include Ron Onesti (Onesti Entertainment), Dean Zelinsky (Zelinsky Private Label), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Dan Donegan(Disturbed), Brad Elvis(Scream, the Handcuffs) and the legendary Bill “The Buddha” Dickens. 

Rock and roll legends will honor their own during a celebration of music with passion and talent at its core, bringing recognition to individual musicians who built the legacy of rock music. All RockGodz Hall of Fame inductees are selected by inductee alumni, their peers, which continues to make the organization highly respected by the music community. This year’s Event will include an Award Show and live musical performances from the RockGodz Hall of Fame band, The Buckingham’s, Ides of March and other great performances.  The event will be a night of music and celebration of some of Illinois best!

“Our mission is to acknowledge the contributions of a group of stunningly gifted musicians and professionals who flew under the radar while delivering to the world music that has orchestrated the soundtrack of many lives,” said Cindy Landeen, RockGodz Hall of Fame Founder.  We believe that these virtuosos, maestros, and those working in the trenches behind the scenes need not wait any longer to be recognized and acknowledged for their part in rock and roll history. In the day they may have been relatively unknown to the music world and fans at large but RockGodz Hall of Fame has purposely taken on the challenge and goal of celebrating their achievements.”   

VIP Meet and Greet  4:30pm to 5:30pm, doors open at 4pm and showtime is 6pm.

Tickets are available for purchase starting at $85.00 which include a BBQ dinner buffet from Bub City.  Tickets can be purchased at:  www.rockgodzhalloffame.com.  Private suites and sponsorship opportunities available and arrangements can be made through Cindy (Landeen) Kleven at cindyjsl@outlook.com or 651-343-4747.

RockGodz Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All RockGodz events and initiatives are funded through ticket sales, sponsorships, volunteers, and donations. 

60 Years And An Orchestra!

/in , /by

THE IDES OF MARCH (Featuring JIM PETERIK), as part of their Diamond Anniversary Tour, celebrating 60 years with all the original members, announce a very special concert on the Ides Of March (March 15th) 2024, at the Delora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois.

On that evening, The Ides will be accompanied by the “Eye Of The Tiger” Pops Orchestra shining a new light on the beloved songs written or co-written by JIM PETERIK, such as “The Eye Of The Tiger”, “Vehicle”, and “Hold On Loosely” which have become evergreen favorites far and wide.

The Orchestra Project is a collaboration with noted Chicago Musician ED VODICKA who has arranged the Ides’ tunes for strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion; complementing the band’s rock instruments, and legendary singing voices.

This event is a “can’t miss”, for Ides Fans, Classic Rock aficionados, and all those who love the music that continues to inspire and excite generations of all ages.

Tickets on sale now online at https://norrisculturalarts.com/tickets/
The Ides Of March online: https://www.theidesofmarch.com
Jim Peterik online: https://www.jimpeterik.com

Countdown To Sixty!!

/in , /by

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!

THE IDES ROCK THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!

/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 RELEASE SERIES OF QUARANTINE VIDEOS

/in /by

Dateline Brookfield Illinois
May 6, 2020.

The Ides of March are pleased to offer a gift of thanks to all our fans and friends that will hopefully put a smile on your faces in these trying times.

A few days ago the Jive Five (Jim Peterik, Larry Millas, Bob Bergland, Mike Borch and Scott May) recorded three of our favorite songs (and ones that many people have requested) in a totally live and unplugged format.

Video was done on separate I Phones in separate spaces of Colin Peterik’s Jam Lab. Colin also provided the sound recording and final video edit.

Final mix was done by Larry Millas at World Stage studio. Colin Peterik created the videos.

We hope you enjoy this gimmick-free version of this song spotlighting the Ides’ always-natural vocal blend and groove

We will be releasing these videos one by one over the course of three weeks.

The first one is “Friends Like You,” from the “Play On” album co-written by Mindi Abair.

We hope you enjoy these performances!

The Ides of March

Please subscribe to our channel and share with your friends!

www.YouTube.com/TheIdesOfMarchOfficial

IDES RE-RELEASE ANTHEM OF HOPE CELEBRATING CHICAGO SPIRIT

/in , , /by

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.

IDES FIRST-ROUND INDUCTION TO ILLINOIS ROCK & ROLL MUSEUM HOF

/in , /by

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.