This year, the Chicago Bears took a big gamble in their cornerback room when they released former All Pro Kyle Fuller. Bears fans were not happy to see him go, especially because he was immediately signed by former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his Denver Broncos.
An emerging storyline from the Chicago Bulls summer league opener has to do with the play of Devon Dotson who put up 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
With Coby White sidelined for another four months (at least) as he recovers from shoulder surgery, there is an opportunity for the Chicago Bulls’ young guards to find a significant role on the bench behind Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine. If his play in the summer league keeps up, Devon Dotson could push Coby White and rookie Ayo Dosunmu for minutes in the Chicago Bulls guard rotation.
The Turtles
Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
The Association
The Classics IV
The Buckinghams
The Cowsills
The Vogues
Remember all of these bands from the 1960’s? So many memorable songs, right? “Happy Together”, “Young Girl”, “Windy” “Stormy” “Hey, Baby”, “Hair”, “Five O’Clock World” and many other hits. Saturday night, at Waukegan’s Genesee Theater, you got to see all seven of the above bands and hear them play the tunes you grew up loving. It was another edition of the Happy Together tour.
If you’ve never been to one of these shows, and this was my first one, here’s how it works: there’s a backing band of musicians that plays the music for all seven artists. Each group comes out and plays three or four of their hits. The finale has all seven of the headliners on stage taking a final bow while singing a piece of one of their hits. It ends with everyone, including the audience, singing “Happy Together.”
It’s definitely a fun evening reliving the songs from our youth. I figured that would be the case going in, but I also wondered if the show would be cool or overly cheesy. The answer is some of both.
There are plenty of highlights and lowlights from the evening of oldies. Here are some of both:
On the plus side…
The songs did bring back tons of memories from more than fifty years ago. It was easy to hear a tune and then remember some of things and places you loved when it was popular.
The backing musicians were excellent. It must be difficult to play different styles for seven bands. They did it without missing a beat. One other musician of note was Paul Weddle on Saxophone for the Classics IV. His solos were outstanding.
I loved the audience that attended the show. They were engaged in the music, singing along with the groups, without being too intrusive. Good job! They also remained seated for most of the show. It was nice not having to stand up or look around around someone to see what was happening on the stage. Maybe that’s because the average age of the audience was mid-60s…and that’s being nice. Hey at least we were younger than the artists on stage!!
But, on the minus side….
A lot of the voices singing the songs were somewhat sour or couldn’t reach the notes. That’s to be expected since almost everyone up there was in the seventy to eighty range. I guess I expected that, but it’s still a little surprising when you actually hear it.
It’s a little shocking to see how many originals members of these bands have died or currently can’t perform because of health issues. The Association has had nine members of its group die. Howard Kaylan of “The Turtles” had heart and back surgery in 2018. Doctors prohibited him from touring. He’s been replaced by Ron Dante, of “The Archies” fame.
Gary Puckett singing “Young Girl” was problematic when the song was released in 1968. In 2021, it’s even more so. I know it was a huge hit, but maybe it’s time to drop it from the setlist.
It’s not the most diverse grouping of musicians. The only female performer in the show is Susan Cowsill. If you’re looking for people of color, you can forget that, both in the band and the audience.
When you add it all up, the sum equals a great night of fun and memories. Now sing along with me…..
So happy together
How is the weather
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
Happy together
So happy together
So happy together (ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba)
Don’t forget those Ba’s
Related Post: Emmylou Harris and Los Lobos hit the links in Evanston
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Classics IV, Gary Puckett, The Association, The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, The Turtles, The Vogues
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A night of oldies really are the goodieson August 10, 2021 at 11:00 am Read More »
One person was killed, and fourteen others were wounded, in shootings throughout Chicago, including a man who was shot to death and another was wounded in a laundromat Monday in West Garfield Park.
One man, 35 to 40 years old, was found with a gunshot wound to the head about 3:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of West Madison Street, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He hasn’t been identified. The other, 69, was struck in the arm and self-transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
In non-fatal shootings, a 15-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting in Armour Square on the South Side. The teen boy was on the sidewalk about 3:50 p.m. in the 200 block of West Pershing Road when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and someone from inside fired shots, police said. He was struck in the both legs and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was stabilized.
Three teenage boys and a man were hurt in a shooting in the Near North Side. They were on the street about 3:30 p.m. when four people got out of a vehicle with guns and opened fire in the 1300 block of North Hudson Avenue, police said. The suspects then got back inside the vehicle and fled the scene. Two boys, 16, were shot in the leg and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition. A 14-year-old struck in the foot and transported in good condition to Laurie Children’s Hospital. The man, 63, suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was stabilized. At the scene, over 20 shell casings were scattered across the street and sidewalk. Crime tape blocked off a portion of Hudson Avenue, with officers concentrated around an entrance to the Marshall Fields Garden apartments.
A man was shot and seriously wounded in a home in Fernwood on the Far South Side. The man, 24, was shot several times around 4:30 a.m. in the 10100 block of South Yale Avenue, police said. He was hit in the face, back, neck and arms and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in serious condition.
Seven others were wounded in shootings citywide.
In just 10 hours, from Saturday night through early Sunday morning, 41 people were shot and five were killed in Chicago.
1 killed, 14 shot, Monday across ChicagoSun-Times Wireon August 10, 2021 at 9:58 am Read More »
The Apple TV+ original film “Coda” — the story of a Child of Deaf Adults, a.k.a. Coda — has made news on a number of fronts prior to its release on the streaming service as well as in theaters around the world.
That’s a lot of (deserved) buzz for what turns out to be a sweet and smart if thoroughly predictable teen movie/family drama. You can see every plot point coming from around the corner, but you can’t help but get swept up in the unique and complicated but deeply loving family dynamic — and how can you go wrong with a movie which prominently features beautiful performances of the romantic and timeless “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Both Sides Now”?
Jones’ Ruby is the classic heroine straight out of the Teen Movie Playbook — a smart, funny, shy, endearing, instantly likable high school senior who lives in a small Massachusetts fishing town with her family, a rowdy and hardworking and close-knit clan. Every morning, long before the sun rises, Ruby joins her father Frank (Kotsur) and her brother Leo (Durant) to haul in the day’s catch of fresh fish — and then she’s off to school, where the Mean Girls make fun of her for smelling like cod and aren’t they the worst!
Ruby’s family depends on her to act as the translator, the go-between, to the world beyond their ramshackle home, which is filled with love and squabbling and scatological humor and a running joke about how mom and dad have a VERY active sex life, with only Ruby being able to hear the sounds they make when in the throes of passion. Ruby’s parents and her brother are stunned when she tells them she has joined the choir and her music teacher, Mr. Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez as a modern-day Mr. Holland), believes she’s good enough to earn a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
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Frank and Leo feel betrayed, but it’s Ruby’s overprotective mother who is most wounded, and at first the least understanding about Ruby’s love of singing. (“If I was blind, would you want to paint?” she says.) Will Ruby have to put her dreams on hold in order to help a family that truly needs her? Is there a way for everything to somehow work out in the end? Will tears be shed and hugs given? What do you think, friend?
“Coda” features a nice little romance between Ruby and a handsome and well-liked boy named Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), but this is primarily a story about a family. A family that just happens to communicate via ASL but will remind you of families you know, or maybe even the family you know best.
A man was killed, and another man was seriously wounded, in a drive-by Monday night in University Village on the Near West Side.
About 11:10 p.m., the men, 24 and 56, were outside with a large group of people in the 1300 block of West 13th Street, when two males inside a passing black Hyundai Elantra fired shots at them, Chicago police said.
The 56-year-old man was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He has not yet been identified.
The younger man was struck in the stomach and arm, and taken to UIC Hospital, where he is in serious condition, police said.
The 24-year-old, who is a concealed-carry license holder, returned fire, but it is unknown if either shooter was struck, police said. The vehicle carrying the shooters crashed into a parked car, and the pair fled the scene on foot.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Virgo.
Today you feel that life is grand! You will especially enjoy schmoozing with others in an entertaining way. Vacations, social outings, sports events and playful times with kids will appeal because you’re so enthusiastic and upbeat! Be careful about going overboard.
Home projects, especially something to do with renovations or repairs truly appeal to you in an exciting way. In addition, family conversations will be upbeat because people are eager to embrace big ideas! The key is to remain realistic. Make sure things are doable.
This is a happy day for you because your ruler Mercury is dancing with lucky Jupiter. This makes you feel optimistic and enthusiastic about whatever you do. You feel like a winner! You will enjoy talking to neighbors, siblings and relatives. (Don’t promise more than you can deliver.)
This is an excellent day for business and commerce because you feel confident about financial matters and ready to take the helm. Your ideas are big and ambitious and your confidence and enthusiasm will help sell your concepts to others. Note: Remain realistic.
You feel excited and confident about things. You will definitely exude an aura of success. However, be careful about acting cocksure or arrogant. Make sure you have your facts; and be careful not to coerce others. Stay grounded.
This is a feel-good day for you! You have a strong hunch about something and you are sure that you’re right, which is why your confidence is running high. In addition, with fiery Mars in your sign, you’re ready to act on your intuition. Meanwhile, Venus will ensure that others agree with you! (Oh my.)
This is the perfect day to talk to friends or groups and get others to endorse your way of thinking. Your enthusiasm about something will persuade everyone to sit at your table and go along with what you want to do. You can deal successfully with groups, especially younger people.
You will be successful talking to bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police today because you appear confident, assured and knowledgeable about whatever you say. Guard against going overboard or being too cocky. You might want to pull your reins. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
This is a fabulous day to make travel plans because you are upbeat, enthusiastic and ready to think big! Likewise, your ideas related to publishing, the media, the law and medicine are also ambitious. It’s a strong day for writers and podcasters.
Be careful in discussions about shared property, inheritances and money issues because you might be tempted to give away the farm. This is because you’re thinking in large strokes and you feel very generous. All of this is very well, but stay reasonable.
Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and upbeat today! Everyone is full of big ideas — including you. Nevertheless, it’s easy to go overboard today or see things as being better than they are. Keep this in mind.
You’re not afraid to entertain big ideas related to your job today or any task for that matter. Meanwhile, issues related to your health are encouraging. You feel more optimistic. Likewise, anything related to a pet will please you because everything is going so well today. It’s a winning day!
Actor Justin Theroux (1971) shares your birthday. You are an independent person who needs a lot of freedom in their life. You crave variety and you love stimulation and change. You are competitive personally and professionally. Financial security is important to you. This year will appeal to your personal love of freedom as you make major changes in your life. Seek out new opportunities and trust your gut instincts.
Horoscope for Tuesday, August 10, 2021Georgia Nicolson August 10, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »
A professional skateboarding star from California was ordered to be held on one million dollars bail after charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after he allegedly beat and kicked a man at a Comfort Suites in Oakbrook Terrace last week.
Prosecutors allege just after 11 a.m. July 27, Kennedy, Kassahun, and Kennedy’s ex-girlfriend checked out of a room at the Comfort Suites Motel and were walking to Kennedy’s ex-girlfriend’s car when Kennedy became enraged for no apparent reason.
Kassahun told Kennedy to calm down, and Kennedy punched Kassahun in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, prosecutors said. Kennedy then allegedly kicked Kassahun in his torso before fleeing the scene in his ex-girlfriend’s car.
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Kassahun, from Wheaton, died July 31 at Rush University Medical Center. An autopsy found he died of blunt force injuries to his head, and the medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide, which lead to charges being upgraded.
Kennedy, from Long Beach, California had initially been charged with aggravated battery in a public place, threatening a public official and theft, according to court records.
Kennedy, also known as “Compton-Ass Terry,” is known for his appearances in video games and TV shows like “Viva La Bam” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.” He also has had cameo appearances in music videos featuring artists like Snoop Dogg and Pharrell.
He is due back in court Aug. 23.
Northrop Grumman is preparing to launch the Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station for their sixteenth resupply mission. Over eight thousand pounds of supplies, station hardware, and science experiments are scheduled for launch at 4:56 pm CDT, tomorrow Tuesday, August 10th.
Launch coverage will be provided by NASA at 4:30 pm Chicago time and broadcasted on NASA TV and NASA LIVE. Following the launch coverage itself, you can tune back in on Thursday, August 12th to watch Cygnus rendezvous and dock to the International Space Station at 3:45 am CDT.
Some of the science experiments heading to the space station include mold experiments, 3-D printing with regolith, a flow and heat transfer facility from Purdue, and a thermal protection system demonstration.
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MINNEAPOLIS — Eloy Jimenez would not let his good friend Luis Robert be the story Monday night.
Lucas Giolito didn’t, either.
As the White Sox celebrated the return of Robert to center field for the first time since May 2, Jimenez and Giolito stole the show. Jimenez, the designated hitter, slammed home runs in the first and second innings Monday against Twins right-hander Beau Burrows, knocked in five runs in the process and powered his team to an 11-1 victory at Target Field.
Jimenez’s homers, a 454-foot blast to center field and 359-footer to left, came a night after he hit two home runs and collected five RBI against the Cubs. He became the only Sox in history to drive in five runs or more in consecutive games, and according to Stats by STATS is the second player in history to have two-plus homers and five-plus RBI within the first five innings in back to back games since the RBI became an official stat in 1920. The Reds’ Lee May also did it in 1969.
After a 2-for-19 start when he came back from a torn pectoral muscle, Jimenez has nine hits in his last eight games, seven for extra bases. In 187 games, he is the fastest Sox player to reach 50 homers in his career.
“I didn’t even know that,” Jimenez said. “Just keep going.”
The Sox (67-46) opened with a leadoff homer by Tim Anderson (three hits, two RBI) and a Jimenez homer in the first for the second straight game. Anderson, who led off games consecutively with homers against the Tigers last season, has 12 homers and hiked his average to .300.
Robert dropped a double in front of center fielder Jake Cave for his ninth RBI of the season in the fifth inning and singled in the ninth.
Robert strained his right hip flexor on May 2 and returned from a minor league rehab assignment.
Giolito dominant
Giolito (9-8, 3.81 ERA) pitched eight innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts and no walks, facing the minimum until Miguel Sano’s solo homer with one out in the eighth. Before that, the only Twins hit was a single by Luis Arraez in the fifth that caromed off the right-hander’s calf.
Giolito said he pitched with “controlled emotion and anger with each pitch” to get himself going.
“Just create it, find something to tick myself off, things batters are doing and let it fuel me,” he said.
Trevor Larnach was hit by a pitch in the third, and both Arraez and Larnach were wiped out on double plays started by third baseman Yoan Moncada, who also belted his 10th homer.
The Sox are 13-4 against the Twins and have beat them by 10 or more runs three times.
Positive COVID test sidelines Benetti
TV play-by-play voice Jason Benetti will miss the team’s upcoming broadcasts after a breakthrough positive test for the coronavirus. Benetti just called the Olympic baseball semifinals and finals for NBC and is recovering at home in Chicago.
Benetti said on his Twitter account that he is mildly symptomatic and plans to return soon. Mike Monaco, who worked Monday’s game, will fill in during Benetti’s absence. Monaco is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and its ACC Network and fills in on Red Sox games for NESN.
