TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME, BUT I GOTTA SING!

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Sunday found the IDES at Chicago’s RATE FIELD where they sang our NATIONAL ANTHEM for the 38th time before the CHICAGO WHITE SOX took on the DODGERS. Ides Sax-man STEVE EISEN could not make the date, so we were pleased to have ERIC CALIENDO filling in. Eric is the co-lead singer of the fine “CHICAGO EXPERIENCE” band. His voice proved to be a great blend with the Ides. As is this years MLB custom (for the USA’s 250th Birthday), we sang “GOD BLESS AMERICA” before the “STAR-SPANGLED BANNER”, and as we have been so grateful for so many times, the response to our performance was rousing.

The WHITE SOX are always gracious in offering us the privilege of watching the game from one of their skyboxes, and “privilege” is too mild a description for the skybox experience. The Hot Dogs, Beer. and other yummies flowed freely for the band and their guests. At one point a foul ball was tipped and came within inches of flying into the skybox, but it hit the wall just above the front of the box.

The day ended sweet, with a Sox win, and another excellent IDES OF MARCH adventure came to a memorable close.

ROAD TRIP! OHIO INVASION!

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The IDES recently went “On The Road” to points east, specifically the beautiful state of Ohio. In a new fashion, instead of a fleet of cars, the band rented a Mercedes 12-passenger “Sprinter” and that was the Mothership for the voyage. It is not known if Jimbo broke out the Acoustic Guitar for a rousing chorus of “Hundred Bottles Of Beer On The Wall,” as a busful of itinerant lads sometimes do, but a fine time was had by all, sans the sometimes anxiety a 400-mile drive can precipitate.

The first night was a stop in downtown Cleveland and a visit to the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. For lifelong rockers like the IDES most every step in the building held some sort of interest. and it was surely a treat to see so many significant items from so many legendary stars. Jimbo has had a guitar of his on display from time to time, but it was not up during their visit (the items rotate.)

Up early the next morning for the short drive to the ROBINS THEATRE in Warren, Ohio, where the IDES shared the bill with THE RASCALS.   Our Hotel was located in a century+ vintage building and proved to be a fine base. The Robins is also a landmark, wonderfully restored with a modernized dressing room area. That dressing room was shared with the Rascals, and the conversations were lively. Rascals second keys BENNY HARRISON got into a hot jam with Jim singing duets of a bunch of classic rock and r&b tunes. Rascals leader FELIX CAVALIERE was his usual effervescent self, and we were happy having the chance to hang with a bonafide Legend. 

Our set went very well, and we received a warm welcome and response from the Ohio crowd. The Rascals followed, with Felix in excellent voice and steaming hot hand on his Hammond Organ, his excellent band falling right in line, hit after hit after hit.

A well-earned night’s sleep, and back to Chicago, but there was little time to rest.

PETS ROCK!

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Bob and I participated in the taping of a new “podcast” show at the “All Pets Wellness Center” in Aurora.
Our good friend and film producer colleague, Greg Bizarro, is producing a series of interview shows to promote awareness of this new, world class facility.
Our show was the pilot episode about “Rock Stars and Their Pets.”
Over the years, Bob has owned a number of very large dogs. And I have owned a number of cats. ( I currently own 4 cats, and I brought my 19 year old Spot, to the taping. He kinda stole the show for a few minutes! )
We discussed what our pets have meant to us throughout our music careers and what they always bring to our lives every day.
It was a fun interview/ taping and should available for viewing soon at the “All Pets Wellness Center” website.
–Larry
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On Tuesday April 28, the IDES OF MARCH returned to their Alma Mater MORTON WEST HIGH SCHOOL to award and recognize this year’s recipient of the VEHICLE FOR EDUCATION Scholarship. Trumpet player OMAR BAUTISTA was the student chosen by the Morton Fine Arts faculty to be honored. The Ides opened the Senior Honors event with a performance of  “People Get Ready” and “L.A. Goodbye” before bringing Omar onstage to join the guys on “Vehicle”. Omar did a fine job, and the band was impressed by Omar’s strong tone and playing in tune. Omar plans to attend Triton College in the Fall. As always, the Morton Staff was most gracious, and at this year’s ceremony a number of Berwyn’s Police Finest were there for a presentation, and they posed for photos with the band.

MEGON MCDONOUGH TO JOIN FOR HEY NONNY SHOWS

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Megon McDonough is a Chicago Legend, by any measure. By age 17, she opened for such folk acts as John Denver, Steve Martin and Harry Chapin; and performed on stages as diverse as Carnegie Hall and the Cellar Door.

Today Megon is best known for her work as a founding member of the folk group The Four Bitchin’ Babes, which allows her wit and folk sensibilities to comment on the ups and downs of everyday life. To date, Megon has almost 20 solo albums to her credit and received rave reviews for her inspiring song “Amazing Things”, which  has become her platform for moving, inspirational musical keynotes.   When not on tour, she is a faculty member at The Music Institute of Chicago, teaching songwriting, and performing at Performing Arts Centers and clubs around the Midwest.  She lives in Huntley, IL – Not the end of the world, but you can see it from there, and hopes to get a dog in the Spring!

The Ides double bill with The Buckinghams

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Come celebrate 6 decades of hits with Chicago Rock Legends THE IDES OF MARCH and THE BUCKINGHAMS  on March 14th at Waukegan’s beautiful GENESSEE THEATRE. Everyone remembers “Don’t You Care”, “L.A. Goodbye”, “Kind Of A Drag”, “You Wouldn’t Listen, “Susan”, “Vehicle”, and all the rest of the songs which have been the soundtrack of so many of our lives. You’ll also hear the hits JIM PETERIK co-wrote like “Caught Up In You”, “Hold On Loosely”, and “Rockin’ Into The Night” by .38 Special; and the blockbusters from Survivor like “The Search Is Over”, ” and of course, “The Eye Of The Tiger”.  This year, the IDES OF MARCH  mark an incredible milestone commemorating 62 years together with ALL the original members, so join us on “Ides Of March Eve” for this special show!

TREETIME IS IDES TIME

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The Ides Of March have always enjoyed being guests and performing on Chicago’s WGN-AM 720 Radio, so when Dean Richards asked us to join him for his Annual Live Broadcast from TreeTime Christmas Creations in Lake Barrington, IL last Sunday, We, of course, immediately agreed. The TreeTime store is a Christmas wonderland; a fantasia of colors, lights, and every Christmas item you can think of. The walk to the area where the broadcast was happening was actually a treat, weaving between the most beautiful and varied Christmas trees you could imagine.

For this show, we were four strong: Jim, Larry, Mike, and Scott. Bob was on holiday in Morocco! Dean and his cast were wonderfully gracious, as we played “Vehicle”, “L.A. Goodbye” and the Season’s first performance of “Sharing Christmas”, which Dean especially liked. Lori, the owner of TreeTime was a gracious host, and the audience was warm and enthusiastic. The WGN tech crew was, as always, totally pro and most helpful. A grand kickoff for the 2025 Holiday Season!
Photos by Chris May and Marlene Wells

https://www.treetime.com/

https://wgnradio.com/dean-richards-sunday-morning/dean-richards-live-from-treetime-christmas-creations-11-2-25/

MAJOR FUNDRAISING FOR THE KIDS

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The IDES OF MARCH had an extraordinary Tuesday on October 21st 2025.

We began the day at the IDES Alma Mater: Morton West High School in Berwyn, Illinois. At a special Assembly, we presented two drum sets (one for each campus) in the name of our Charity “A Vehicle For Education,” in partnership with the DW Music Foundation. Both the Students in the audience, and the crew backstage were very enthusiastic to greet us, as were Principal Kristy Cavanaugh and the teachers/staff moderating the event. We played “Vehicle” and “Eye Of The Tiger” to a roaring response, our Mike Borch playing one of the drum sets we donated. It’s always great to return to our beloved High School and meet the new generation.

Following the Morton event, we made our way up to Ron Onesti’s Des Plaines Theatre for the “Stars For Sara” event, a benefit dedicated to the Daughter of popular WLS-TV personality Roz Varon (Sara), who tragically passed at an early age. The performers and audience were chock full of Chicago Media personalities, and it was great to hang with the folks we have seen and heard on Chicago TV and Radio for so long. We were “Deputy Buckinghams” as we backed Bucks Singer Carl Giammarese on their huge hit “Mercy Mercy Mercy”. It’s really a fun song to play and sing, and Jim nailed it when Carl threw the second verse to him. WLS-TV personality (and longtime IDES pal) Ryan Chiaverini joined us for “Vehicle” and sang the heck out of the second verse of our big hit. The entire cast of the show joined us onstage for “Eye Of The Tiger”, and the audience was right with us, supplying a rousing ovation. The event raised over $20K, with the total still growing.

IDES PRESENT “A VEHICLE FOR EDUCATION” AWARD

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The IDES OF MARCH presented Morton High School Student DAKOTA LUCAS with this year’s VEHICLE FOR EDUCATION Scholarship endowment in ceremonies on the Morton West campus, Tuesday April 29th.

Ms. Lucas accompanied the Ides on guitar with their number one hit “Vehicle” during the Senior Awards Program. She related she also plays Piano.

Ms. Lucas will be attending the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana this fall. The Ides wish this talented young Woman all the best in her studies and future career.

A VEHICLE FOR EDUCATION TO AWARD EDUCATION GRANT

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On April 29th, the IDES OF MARCH will once again award a bright, young Arts student of Morton High School an endowment for their education. Our charity “A Vehicle For Education” has provided this award for 12 years, and the movement has grown, with many folks making a yearly donation. The Core 4 Ides (plus Scott) were all involved in Arts programs during their Morton Years, and recognize the unique values the Arts bring to life. The teachers at Morton choose the student they believe is most worthy of the award. In the past few years, the awards ceremony, held at the Morton West Campus has been a joyous affair, with the Ides performing a few songs with the Rock band led by various Fine Arts Teachers. Next week, we’ll post photos from the event.
Visit https://theidesofmarch.com/a-vehicle-for-education/ for more info or to donate.