The Long, Strong History of Chicago's Best -- The Cornerstones of Rock Concerts Still Solid Gold

Thanks to Concert Coordinator, Susan Rakis, Buckinghams' fans have some great photos of behind the scenes at their rehearsal for the latest Cornerstones of Rock show last month on November 26, 2022. Performers included The Ides of March, The New Colony Six, and The Cryan’ Shames, The Buckinghams and, representing the longtime lead singer of the Shadows of Knight, Jimy Sohns, was “Dirty Dan” Buck. Special to the band for this concert was The Buckinghams' drummer Tommy Scheckel, who played with the band from 1985-2010 before joining Paul Revere and the Raiders for many years.

Soundcheck photos by Susan:

And special thanks also to Jeannie Mikota, the "Sunset Princess" of The Ides of March, we have some terrific performance photos as well:

The popularity of the Cornerstones of Rock Shows has skyrocketed since its 2015 debut. Originally envisioned as a larger collective of Chicago-area bands “one more time,” this original concept is as much the brainchild of singer/songwriter Jim Peterik and producer Joe Thomas. Filmed as a DVD/CD combo product at Chicago PBS station WTTW in Grainger Studio, the product became a popular broadcast for quarterly pledge drives of PBS.

Thinking back to the very first Cornerstones offering in 2015, The Ides of March served as the primary backing band for most of the groups that evening, except for The Buckinghams. Music legends made time to participate, including Gary Loizzo, Al Ciner, Chuck Colbert, Jr., and Lee Graziano, representing the American Breed, Jimy Sohns, Dennis Tufano and Ted Aliotta representing the Shadows of Knight, plus Rick Derringer representing The McCoys. James Fairs joined the Cryan’ Shames for this concert, and Dennis Tufano joined The Buckinghams especially for this show.

On hand for The Cryan’ Shames were Tom Doody, James Fairs, and Jim Pilster; The New Colony Six included Bruce Mattey, Ronnie Rice, and Ray Graffia. There were two special tributes: “Get it On” by Chase, with The Ides of March and Chase member Dartanyan Brown, plus Ted Aliotta representing his late brother Mitch, of Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah, was joined by The Ides of March, and all the groups together performing the iconic Chicagoland song, “Lake Shore Drive.”

For the past seven years, then, the Cornerstones of Rock have performed three to four concerts each year, primarily at Ron Onesti’s Arcada Theatre, as well as traveling to Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and other venues that requested the best of American Garage music.

After all, that’s how all these guys got their start as musicians in Chicago. From basements of homes to the garages of others, music was attempted, mastered, and later recorded by sixteen-and seventeen-year-olds who had a dream and asked themselves, “Why Not Me?” and “Why Not Us?” As it turned out, the majority of the people performing on stage over the past seven years have had pretty amazing lives and careers that continue to be popular after five decades.

Check out more photos by Susan Rakis to also see some longtime fans who make these concerts feel like homecoming each time they gather.

Here are Laura and Russell Smith:

Also, say hello to Al:

Here's Greg Ellis, who is seeing his 133rd (yes, you read that right) 133rd Buckinghams' concert over the years. So far, he has the record of all ticketholding concert attendees that we know of. If you can top Greg's record, let us know!

Here's Richard Peck:

And Frank P.

And Jim L.

And, special thanks to Rich Onesti, who does so many great things behind the scenes.

Check your calendars for 2023 pretty soon for the next announcement of a Cornerstones date. You won’t want to miss it.