The Ides Really Rocked The Boat This Time!

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

Cornerstones of Rock Rebroadcast Three Times!!

A Fond Memory of the Cardinal

One of my favorites from 2009 Roof Fundraiser. Rest in peace Cardinal Francis George.

THE IDES OF MARCH AND STEVE CROPPER LIVE!

Last Year JIM PETERIK had the pleasure of doing a gig with the legendary Guitarist/Songwriter STEVE CROPPER in Louisiana, and the two musicians found a common ground and a fast friendship. Steve, of course was the bedrock of Booker T and the MG’s, the “house band” of Stax Records in Memphis, and the composer of many many timeless hit records such as “Soul Man”, “Midnight Hour”, and “Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay”. Everyone knows Steve as the “Colonel” from the Blues Brothers Movies, has Steve is an inductee in both the Rock And Roll and Songwriter’s Hall Of Fames.

Cut to this year, when an proposal came in to the Ides Offices from a Couple in Burr Ridge Illinois who wanted to throw a luxurious 55th Birthday Party for the Gentleman. They wanted a “Mini World Stage” featuring the Ides plus a special guest. We thought of Steve Cropper immediately, and the show was swiftly booked.

As the date approached, The band encamped in Jim’s JAM LAB soundstage facility to woodshed the Cropper hits. World Stage Band Guitar Whiz MIKE AQUINO was made a Deputy Ide for the show, and R&B Stars MARZETTE GRIFFITH and YVONNE GAGE were brought on to add their vocal firepower.

The rehearsal sessions were great fun, playing the Soul Hits Steve made famous, and it really wasn’t a stretch for the band, ‘cos before Jim started cranking out his own homegrown hits, the Ides Repertoire consisted of almost all of these tunes and ones just like them. The memories were grand and warm.

Steve arrived the day before the show, and the rehearsals were a gas! Steve was a perfect Southern Gentleman, with a boatload of stories that made our heads spin. And the man can PLAY!

Event day was great-The Venue was an elaborate structure erected behind an ornate European-Styled estate in a wooded setting. It was hard to believe the lavish accommodations were for a single night, but it was so. Scores of staff manned the Bars, Food stations, and Cleanup, as we prepared for the show in our hosts adjacent, spacious downstairs Rec Room/Bar. We enjoyed the great food and more Stories from Steve. Then it was time to hit the stage.

The first part of the set was Ides’ music plus a sampling of Jim’s Platinum hits with Survivor and Sammy Hagar, then Steve was introduced. We ran down a whole set of Steve’s Soul/R&B hits with Steve’s stories punctuating the  tunes. Steve, Marzette, and Yvonne took turns on Lead Vocals, the band kept up the funk, and the mighty mighty Ides Brass added their blazing chops to the mix. The Horns are SO important to this music.

The assembled crown went wild, and they filled the dance floor. Steve and the Ides took the party up notches the host never expected, but they weren’t through.

After a short break, The Ides came back with more hits of their own plus Jim’s hits with .38 Special, then Steve, Marzette, Yvonne and Mike were introduced to join us again for “Vehicle” and “Eye Of The Tiger”.

To say the entire evening was a success was an understatement, made even sweeter to know there was an underlying co-theme for the event dedicated to raising money for a charity championed by the Hosts. The well-heeled attendees were generous indeed, and an impressive donation was amassed.

Normally pizzas are the after-gig refreshment for the band, but tonight there was the gourmet sweet table, ice cream station and Frozen Margarita fountain. A tasty splurge was in order, as the evening came to a close.

The next afternoon, Col. Steve graced World Stage Studios to add his distinctive guitar tracks to the new Ides 50th Anniversary CD.

We hope to do more things with the Great Steve Cropper, as this match seems like it was made in Heaven…

The IDES OF MARCH with 2013 Scholarship Recipient IRIDIAN HERNANDEZ.

The Ides Of March presented the first award of their Morton High School Scholarship to IRIDIAN HERNANDEZ on Wednesday, May15th at a ceremony in Berwyn. Ms. Hernandez displayed a number of her Artistic Works, including a custom “Ides Of March Way” CD Case she designed especially for the band. Iridian related that she plans to attend Dominican University in River Forest following her graduation this year. The Ides shared stories of their Morton Years, and how much influence their studies played on the success of the band. It was ‘old home week” for the 4 Original IDES who attended Morton West. Ides stage Manager Toby Bermann also is a MW alum, while Scott May and the Late John Larsen attended Morton East in Cicero. The Ides enjoyed meeting the Senior Morton Administrators and a few of Ms. Hernandez’ Teachers who related that  she is an Honor Roll Student. Special thanks is due to Ides Attorney (and fellow Morton West Alum) Rich Brom for coordinating the establishment of the Scholarship.  Following the ceremony, the Ides dined in true Berwyn fashion at the Bohemian Food Temple, Czech Plaza Restaurant.

BE A PART OF IDES HISTORY! HAVE A GETAWAY WEEKEND

On Friday May 31st, and Saturday June 1st,  Jim Peterik and the Ides of March will be filming their performances at the Wonderful ACORN THEATER in 3 Oaks Michigan for new DVD’s.  Friday night will be Jim’s Solo show “A Gift Of Song” and Saturday will be the Ides playing their famous “Double Show” where the first half is “Unplugged” and the second half is Rockin’! The ACORN THEATER is an intimate venue with great sound and sight lines-a perfect place to see and hear the IDES.
3 Oaks is about a 90 minute drive from Chicago, and there’s a lot to see and do in the New Buffalo Area. There are reasonable hotels nearby and plenty of fine places to dine. Kick off the summer “IDES-STYLE”! Our shows have always sold out at the Acorn, so get your tickets NOW for both nights and make it an EVENT TO REMEMBER!
SPECIAL OFFER!! If you buy tickets to BOTH SHOWS you will get a copy of each DVD when they are released!!! And all ticket holders to Jim’s show on Friday will get a free 2 song CD!!
Go to: www.acorntheater.com for tickets and further information.

BERWYN TO THE WORLD!

START SPREADING THE NEWS! The Ides will take a bite out of the Big Apple on October 1st, as we Rock the Manhattan BB King’s Club in New York City (www.bbkingblues.com). This Major appearance will come after our 4-day stand at the “Big E” festival (www.thebige.com) in West Springfield Mass. Plan your trip now!!!

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY!

The IDES CHRISTMAS SHOW has become a tradition for our Family and Friends, and we’re happy to announce this year’s date: Saturday December 7th at St. Charles’ Fabulous ARCADA Theatre. As always, we’ll have a mix of Traditional and New Ides Christmas Tunes, with a special guest or three. Watch our website here for announcement of Ticket sales, or go to www.oshows.com for further information.