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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of August 30-September 3, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 08/28/2010 at 02:08pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, August 30: Billy Joel
Billy has released his music for use in an upcoming episode of hit TV show Glee. Joel: "I said, 'Yeah, go ahead, use my stuff.' I was in a chorus when I was in high school, why not." We'll hear Billy warble his own "stuff."

Tuesday, August 31: Peter Frampton
We already know you dig Drive music. If you also have unlimited funds (love the word "trustafarian")and a yen for travel check this out: November 11th, Etiham Stadium in Melbourne, Australia for a concert event starring this day's Live @ 5er Peter Frampton, along with Peter Gabriel, Chicago & America. If you go, score me a tee shirt.

Wednesday, September 1: The Beach Boys
So, it's the Mike Love led Beach Boys (with John Stamos on drums) tonight at Ravinia. Despite the claims by former Beach Boy Al Jardine that the band "will definitely do at least one show" next year to commemorate their 50th anniversary, this is not a sure thing. Brian Wilson, on the subject, has said "We don't know yet. I don't think so, though. I don't really enjoy working with Mike (Love) and Bruce (Johnston), y'know. It's not my style to work with those guys."

Thursday, September 2: Led Zeppelin
It's on: Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience will do a 30 date U.S. tour in honor of the 3oth anniversary of the death of his father, Zep drummer John Bonham. October 20th brings the band, who go by the name of Black Country Communion, to Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee, with the following night booked for Merilville's Star Plaza. The band consists of Jason on drums, Glenn Hughes (who has sung for Deep Purple & Black Sabbath) on vocals/bass, Derek Sherinian on keys & Joe Bonamassa on guitar.

Friday, September 3: The Police
That 2007-8 Police reunion tour sure pleased a lot of folks, from Vancouver, B.C., site of the rehearsals and first show, to New York's Madison Square garde, where it ended. At the last show, the Police paid tribute to trios past by performing Purple haze & Sunshine Of Your Love, and Sting told the crowd "The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other."

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Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive

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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of August 23-27, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 08/21/2010 at 05:08pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, August 23: Joe Cocker
One of the Cocker tracks comes from his classic 1970 double set Mad Dogs & Englishmen, featuring a massive, rocking band put together for the tour by Leon Russell, whose resume also includes working with Phil Spector, Bob Dylan and George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh, among many others, and whose joint album with admirer Elton John
will be released later this year. Somehow during the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, Joe and Leon's relationship went south. Joe on Leon: "I'd revered the man, but we fell out pretty badly...a big ego clash."

Tuesday, August 24: Journey
Of course we'll go with Steve Perry-fronted Journey, but props must be given to their Live In Manila DVD, which debuted at #1 on the musuc DVD chart upon its 2009 release. Why Manila, in the Philipines, for this project? As you may remember, Journey's current singer, Arnel Pineda, who they found on YouTube, hails from there and the concert was his triumphant homecoming.

Wednesday, August 25: Fleetwood Mac
Now long retired from Fleetwood Mac, singer/keyboardist/writer Christine McVie was married to the band's bassist John McVie for 8 years before the stress of constant togetherness led to their separation, then divorce - well, that and his drinking. Here's Christine: "John is not the most pleasant of people when he's drunk. Very belligerent. I was seeing more Hyde than Jekyll."

Thursday, August 26: The Kinks
A year ago, when Kink numero uno Ray Davies was talking up a Kinks reunion, he noted that they were one of the few British invasion bands whose original members were all still alive. That changed on June 23rd when bassist Peter Quaife passed away, following 10 years of kidney dialysis. Ray Davies dedicated 3 songs to him at his Glastonbury Festival appearance shortly thereafter, telling the crowd "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

Friday, August 27: Stevie Ray Vaughan
We commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the death of the great Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose helicopter back to Chicago crashed in the first hour of the new day, following a triumphant, sold out Alpine Valley gig headlined by Eric Clapton. Stevie's last musical moment was Sweet Home Chicago, sharing the stage with his brother Jimmy, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Eric. R.I.P.

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Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive

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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of August 16-20, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 08/14/2010 at 05:08pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, August 16: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Guitarist Gary Rossington is the only bandmember from their debut still in Skynyrd. In an online interview, Mr. Rossington offered these insights: "I think Clapton is the greatest rock and roll and blues guitar player that ever lived." Of Hendrix he said "a total original, who copied nobody."

Tuesday, August 17: Eddie Money
The former Eddie Mahoney plays Chicago's House Of Blues November 7th. If you really like planning ahead, you can check out Eddie, as per his website, 3/11/2011(!) at Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville. If you have this one lined up I'll assume you've already completed your Christmas shopping.

Wednesday, August 18: Yes
It's original Yes vocalist Jon Anderson at Park West tomorrow night. Meanwhile Yes continues to tour with a singer they found in a Yes tribute act; I'm not sure I get this. In October and November Jon and former Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, whose son Oliver is currently playing the ol' man's riffs with Yes, tour the U.K. as "Anderson Wakeman Project 360."

Thursday, August 19: Aerosmith
An Aerosmith item without mention of American Idol? Gladly. I've been checking online setlists for their tour, which hits Tinley Park August 22nd. Every encore list I've seen consists of Dream On/Walk This Way/Toys In The Attic. Sadly, they don't seem to be playing Dude (Look Like A Lady). Big song catalogue - good problem to have.

Friday, August 20: Eric Clapton
Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, held June 26th in the resort town of Bridgeview, very quickly (July 27th)
made it to the big screen in a short run. Our own Greg Easterling saw it and went all thumbs up on me. The 2 disc DVD/Blu Ray gets a November 8th release. The album titled Clapton, which one source called a "wildly diverse covers project" is due 9/28.

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Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive



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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of August 9-13, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 08/07/2010 at 02:08pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, August 9: U2
Even though the Chicago concert postponed due to Bono's back surgery won't be made up until July 5 of 2011, U2 is back on stage again, having launched a 2 month European tour in Turin, Italy, on August 6th.

Tuesday, August 10: Chicago
So you, or no one you know, ever scores free tickets from WDRV.com? Well, then maybe you should get to know Vince Trakan, who not only won tickets to The Chicago/Doobie Brothers Charter One Pavillion concert in July, but got upgraded to the front row! In his thank you email, Vince wrote: "My wife and I had a night we'll never forget, with a great breeze and some great old rock from two great bands who can still play their asses off...we truly had a blast."

Wednesday, August 11: John Mellencamp
In case you haven't heard, Farm Aid 25 will be at Milwaukee's Miller Park on October 2nd, with tickets going on sale Saturday, 8/14 at 9am. They are available at the Brewers Box Office (attention 96.9ers), (414) 902-4000 and www.tickets.com. It's too bad the level of talent playing Farm Aid has fallen from the tremendous roster at the first one, which I witnessed in Champaign: besides John, Neil & Willie, there was Dylan (backed by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Don Henley, Johnny Cash, Bon Jovi, Lou Reed, Carole King, John Fogerty (backed by Mellencamp's band), Billy Joel, Randy Newman, John Denver, Roy Orbison, Jimmy Buffett, and the debut of the Sammy Hagar fronted Van Halen!

Thursday, August 12: The Who
Through the magic of the internet (specifically thewho.net), I was able to look up the setlist of the first
Who concert I witnessed (first of four) in August of 1971, when Who's Next was new(!):
Summertime Blues
My Wife
Love Ain't For Keeping
I Can't Explain
Substitute
Bargain
Behind Blue Eyes
Won't get Fooled Again
Baby, Don't You Do It (Marvin Gaye cover)
I Don't Know Myself
Pinball Wizard
See Me, Feel Me
My Generation
Naked Eye
Magic Bus

Friday, August 13: Jimmy Buffett
Sure, it'll be plenty hot & humid at Buffett's Toyota Park gig tomorrow night, but looking ahead to our cold, cold winters, perhaps a list of Margaritaville Cafes, "where the fun never ends," in the Caribbean will come in handy for your winter vacation: Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios & Grand Turk. Oh, and don't forget "Air Margaritaville" at the Montego Bay airport!

With fins to my left,

Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive


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The Drives Live at 5 for the week of August 2-6, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 07/31/2010 at 10:07am by Bobby Skafish
Monday, August 2: Traffic
This is the date of birth for Jim Capaldi, a founding member of Traffic, who passed away in 2005. We'll hear Traffic classic The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, for which he penned the lyrics and played drums. An accomplished songwriter, Mr. Capaldi wrote for Santana, Eagles (Love Will Keep Us Alive from Hell Freezes Over) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (lyrics to This Is Reggae Music from Catch A Fire).

Tuesday, August 3;Phil Collins
Phil's next album, titled Going Back, is due in September. It's a collection of covers, mostly Motown, including Stevie Wonder's Uptight and Martha & The Vandellas' Heatwave. He says "These songs make up the tapestry, the backdrop, of my teenage years."

Wednesday, August 4: Supertramp
Expect 2 from the 1980 Supertramp double live set, Paris. The Paris album was originally going to be called Roadworks and to be recorded in Quebec City, Canada, but their record label wanted them to record in a "mainstream city."

August 4: Creedence Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty.
3 from the guitar & pen of John Fogerty on the Drive's Triple Play Thursday. It's hard to believe now, but John went for years refusing to play his CCR classics in concert. His explanation: "I lost the rights to my own songs, again due to contract shenanigans." This fan-disappointing stance ended with an epiphany Mr. Fogerty experienced at the gravesite of blues legend Robert Johnson. He realized that, like Mr. Johnson, he was the spiritual owner of his songs, if not the owner in deed. He's sung them ever since.

Friday, August 6: David Bowie
My 1990 phone interview with him and 7 years later meet and greet experience (at the Aragon) combine to put this legend at, or near, the top of my Cool Musician list. He took the time to make each of us feel at ease; not many do. Listen for 2 from A Reality Tour, a live Bowie album released early this year, though recorded in Dublin in 1993.

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Come On Feel The Noize,

Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive


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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of July 26-30, 2010
Posted:Friday, 07/23/2010 at 11:07am by Bobby Skafish
Monday, June 26: The Rolling Stones
Happy birthday, Sir Mick Jagger, who is said to be not happy about bandmate Keith Richards' autobiography, titled Life, that's due in October. It supposedly contains numerous revelations about Mick's private life, including his affairs and drug taking. Last word (for now) goes to Jagger: "I would have thought that you'd actually to be able remember your life in order to write about it."

Tuesday, June 27: Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick performed the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour song at their recent Ravinia concert; they've since returned to their ongoing gig at Paris Las Vegas to continue performing Sgt. Pepper's album.

Wednesday, July 28: Sting
On Live at 5 it's Sting performing 2 Police classics; he was just at Ravinia playing his previous material, both Police and solo, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In His Sun-Times review, Bryant Manning revealed that Sting's symphonic trip has it'd roots in a corporate concert he did in Chicago 14 months ago, paired with the Chicago Synphony, who provided orchestral arrangements. Our town, same place Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood first reconvened!

Thursday, July 29: Jethro Tull
While we're referencing Ravinia, Jethro Tull thoroughly entertained the throng there in June. Ian Anderson threw out to the audience 2 massive balloons that he had balanced on his head during Locomotive Breath, which, of course, were then batted around by audience members. Songs played included classics (Thick As A Brick and Aqualung) and surprises, such as Farm On The Freeway from The Crest Of A Knave album.

Friday, July 30: Bruce Springsteen
Bruce and the E Street Band's 2 DVD concert set London Calling: Live In Hyde Park was released in June and debuted at #1 on DVD charts in the U.S.A. (where he was apparently born), the UK, and 8 other countries! The title comes from the Clash cover that opens the set. Bruce & company also perform Good Lovin' (most known by the Rascals, though they didn't write it), Trapped (the Jimmy Cliff tune Bruce donated to the U.S.A. For Africa album) and a Stephen Foster song written in 1854. Timeless.

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Keep on chooglin',

Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive







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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of July 19-23, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 07/17/2010 at 12:07pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, July 19: Queen
Happy birthday to Queen guitarist Brian May. From Queen's official website we learn about a charity endeavor called Freddie For A Day. "All you need to do is dress up as 'Freddie (um, Mercury) For A Day (September 3)' and get your friends, family and school friends or work colleagues to sponsor you!" Dough goes to Mercury Phoenix Trust, the HIV AIDS charitable organization. For full details, tips on costumes, etc., go to mercuryphoenixtrust.com.

Tuesday, July 20: Moody Blues
That sold out Moody Blues Ravinia debut on June 25th sure was deluxe. Here's the setlist:
The Voice
The Day We Meet Again
Stepping In A Slide Zone
Tuesday Afternoon
Never Comes The Day
Lean On Me
Gypsy
Peak Hour
I Know You're Out There Somewhere
The Story In Your Eyes

Your Wildest Dreams
Isn't Life Strange
The Other Side Of Life
Driftwood
Higher And Higher
Are You Sitting Comfortably
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band)
Late Lament
Nights In White Satin
Question
Ride My See Saw...
...and happy birthday, John Lodge, Moody Blues bassist/singer/writer of songs.

Wednesday, July 21: Cat Stevens
Happy birthday, Cat. Did you know Carly Simon wrote her classic Anticipation (later used in a ketchup commercial) while waiting for Cat to show up for their first date?

Thursday, July 22: Pink Floyd
On Saturday night (6/10) David Gilmour & Roger Waters shared a stage for the first time since 2005's Live 8 concert. The unannounced team-up went down before 200 (?!) attendees of the Hoping Foundation benefit in Oxfodshire, England. Songs: To Know Him Is To Love Him (originally by the Teddy Bears, with a very young Phil Spector), Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, and Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2. Thank you, rollingstone.com.

Friday, July 23: Bob Seger
In 2009, the radio trade publication FMBQ printed a rare Bob Seger interview conducted by Ken Sharp, whose first question was when did Seger realize music was wanted to do with his life. Seger: "It hit me when I was really young. I remember in Ann Arbor High School my best friends were so envious with me. They said, 'You know exactly what you want to do.' and they had no clue what they wanted to do.
When I was 15 years old I played my first gig at the junior prom. I was a sophmore in 10th grade but I actually played the 11th grade prom and that was the first time I was ever on stage."

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Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive


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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of July 12-16
Posted:Saturday, 07/10/2010 at 11:07am by Bobby Skafish
Monday, July 12: Simon & Garfunkel
S & G were to have toured this summer but called it off due to Garfunkel's need to recover from vocal paresis, a serious condition that affects vocal chords, from which he's expected to recover completely. Art said he couldn't bring his "A game." We'll play 2 from "Old Friends: Live on Stage," from the last time he and Simon did tour.

Tuesday, July 13: BTO
Bachman & Turner will have an album out in September, and are now in the midst of a short tour, which so far has no Chicago stop.

Wednesday, July 14: Styx
Let's hear it for JY (guitarist James Young)! A member of Styx since 1970, before they were even named Styx, he's missed a grand total of one gig, due to emergency life-saving surgery on his wife in 2008.

Thursday, July 15: Neil Young
You may recall reading on this blog about Bob Dylan visiting Neil Young's Winnipeg boyhood home in 2008, to soak up some vibes. In the Neil Young biography Shakey, when asked about Dylan's influence, Mr. Young called himself "a B student of Bob Dylan." Modest.

Friday, July 16: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Gig tomorrow night! Things learned from Tom Petty's recent Q & A with Rolling Stone: he's for pot legalization...doesn't get behind the wheel anymore because "everyone has asked me to please not drive"...eats barbecue while on tour "in Texas and the South"...likes old movies, "detective ones, French noir and crime stories."

Don't wilt on me!

Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive






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The Drive's Live at 5 for the week of July 5-9, 2010
Posted:Saturday, 07/03/2010 at 02:07pm by Bobby Skafish
Monday, July 5: Steely Dan
Still feeling patriotic the day after Independence Day? We hope so! Enjoy a couple tracks form Steely Dan's Alive In America. I'm very much looking forward to Steely Dan singer Donald Fagen joining up with Boz Scaggs & Michael McDonald, working under the group name The Dukes Of September Rhythm Review, for a 9/11 concert at the Chicago Theatre. Fagen promises covers of the Dead, The Band & Ray Charles, besides his own stuff.

Tuesday, July 6: Talking Heads
I remember a David Byrne interview last year in which he said he's not "keen" on a Talking Heads reunion, because he doesn't "need the money badly enough." Points for honesty. In '96, the other 3/4 of the band released an album featuring guest vocalists under the name The Heads. And the album's title? No Talking Just Head. LOL.

Wednesday, July 7: Ringo Starr
Happy birthday Ringo! It's Ringo and His All Starr Band (including Garry Wright, Rick Derringer & Edgar Winter) at The Venue in Hammond, July 24th. And remember, if you see Ringo out and about (a friend of mine did at Water Tower Place many moons ago)don't ask for an autograph - Ringo stated on his website 2 years ago he's through signing because he's tired of waking up on the floor. Oops, that's from his No No Song; he's actually tired of seeing stuff he signed offerred up on Ebay. Maybe he's just tired.


Thursday, July 8: Santana
Santana & Steve Winwood for the Drive's Thursday Artist Portrait and the same great double bill in concert out in
Tinley Park the following night. September brings a Santana album of cover tunes, complete with guest vocalists. Among the songs are Sunshine Of Your Love, Whole Lotta Love, Smoke On The Water & Back In Black.

Friday, July 9: Genesis
It was head Phish dude Trey Anastasio who inducted Genesis into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in March of 2010; Phish covered Watcher Of The Skies (from the Peter Gabriel era, Peter being a no show)and No Reply At All, in honor.

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Digging the season (summer, not the Cubs!),

Bobby Skafish
3-8 pm
The Drive


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Thursday, Sep 2, 2010
12:00am
Thursday Artist Portrait
Led Zeppelin (all day)
5:00pm
Live @ 5
9:00pm
Long One @ 9
Led Zeppelin
10:00pm
Ten @ 10 Replay
1970
Friday, Sep 3, 2010
3:00amOvernight Album Side
The Beach Boys
10:00amTen @ 10
1977
1:45pmOne 45 @ 1:45
The Beach Boys
5:00pmLive @ 5
9:00pmLong One @ 9
Pink Floyd
10:00pmTen @ 10 Replay
1977
Saturday, Sep 4, 2010
11:00pmThe Deep End
Sunday, Sep 5, 2010
7:00amRock 'n Roll Roots
40th Anniversary of the Summer of 1970, Part 4.

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