For one day at least, Chicago and the phrase “It’s only rock ‘n’ roll” will be synonymous. That day, of course, is Sept. 23, when the Rolling Stones begin their yearlong, international tour at Soldier Field.
Last time the Stones threw one of these opening-night parties, in 1994 in Washington, D.C., hundreds of journalists arrived from around the world to bear witness. Among them was a writer from Croatia, who at the time presumably had more important things to cover back home, but as the man said, “Yes, but there is nothing like the Rolling Stones!”
Here’s a guy who skipped out on a civil war to watch a 50-year-old man scamper around on stage in tight pants, and who could argue with him? Mick Jagger and the boys may be grandfathers, but the Stones remain the sole surviving supergroup of the ’60s with an appeal that spans three generations. And so their sold-out shows in Chicago on Sept. 23 and 25, followed by the release of a new studio album Sept. 30, “Bridges to Babylon,” rates as The Event of the fall season in rock.
Here’s a rundown of what else is in store:
Celebrations
– A tribute by the Old Town School of Folk Music, on its 40th anniversary, to late Chicago singer-songwriter Steve Goodman Nov. 13 at the Medinah Temple, hosted by Studs Terkel with Jackson Browne, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and others.
– A 72nd birthday party for blues legend B.B. King, who’ll be bringing his lifelong date, Lucille (note to the blues-impaired: she’s a guitar), to the Riviera on Sept. 16.
– A tribute Tuesday at the House of Blues to the music of the late blues great Luther Allison, with performances by Lonnie Brooks, Jonny Lang, Mighty Joe Young, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Otis Rush and Syl Johnson. Proceeds will go to a fund to defray costs of Allison’s cancer treatments.
Flashbacks
– Yet another “new” album of previously unavailable music from Jimi Hendrix–for a dead guy, he sure is prolific–issued as “South Saturn Delta,” on Oct. 7.
– The usual cavalcade of box sets, including four-CD sets on the Doors and AC/DC, both Oct. 28; and a four-disc Cream package, “Those Were the Days,” Sept. 23.
– A new album from the late Jeff Buckley, due Oct. 28.
– The first collaboration between ’60s legend Brian Wilson and daughters Carnie and Wendy, “The Wilsons,” Sept. 23.
– On “Time Out of Mind” (Sept. 30), a reunion of Bob Dylan and producer Daniel Lanois, who worked on Dylan’s acclaimed 1989 album, “Oh Mercy.”
– A Kiss album (recorded in 1995) that serves as a kiss-off to ousted members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, “Carnival of Souls,” Oct. 14.
– A new album by ex-Cars singer Ric Ocasek, “Troublizing,” produced by Smashing Pumpkins’ Bill Corgan, due out Tuesday.
Comebacks
– A reunion tour by Fleetwood Mac’s classic ’70s lineup–Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood–that arrives at the Rosemont Horizon on Nov. 20.
– The first North American tour in six years by England’s leading misanthrope pop-star, Morrissey, at the Riviera on Sept. 26.
– A reunion of Jane’s Addiction members Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins and David Navarro, joined by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, for a tour that will arrive in Chicago in October.
– Duran Duran–yet again–with a new album (“Medazzaland,” Oct. 14) and a tour.
Kings and queens of pop
– A battle of the mall girls: Mariah Carey, hooking up with the ubiquitous producer Sean “Puffy” Combs, drops “Butterfly” on Sept. 16; Janet Jackson, back with longtime producer Jimmy Jam, returns with “The Velvet Rope” on Oct. 7.
– New albums from R&B stars Boyz II Men, “Evolution” on Sept. 23; Babyface, who produces the soundtrack for his upcoming movie, “Soul Food” on Sept. 16; and Tony Rich, “The World of the Blue Butterfly,” Sept. 30.
– Luther Vandross, headlining at the United Center on Sept. 24, with Vanessa Williams.
– Fresh tunes from Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, “The Big Picture,” Sept. 23.
– Lilith festival organizer and multiplatinum singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan and k.d. lang, both expected to tour in October.
Headbanger heaven
– Pantera at the Aragon on Sept. 23–the Stones may be playing that night, but fans of this Dallas drill team couldn’t care less.
– “Re-Load,” Metallica’s sequel to their 1996 album “Load,” due in November.
Alterna-power
– New music from Bjork on “Homogenic” (Sept. 23), Stereolab on “Dots and Loops” (Sept. 23), trip-hop pioneers Portishead on “Cowboys” (Sept. 30), ex-Minutemen and Firehose bassist Mike Watt on “Contemplating the Engine Room” (Oct. 7), Everclear on “So Much for the Afterglow” (Oct. 7), and Green Day on “Nimrod” (Oct. 14).
– Laurie Anderson’s “Speed of Darkness,” a performance-art look at the future of art and technology, Oct. 3 at Elgin Community College and Oct. 4 at College of Du Page.
– David Bowie, fresh off an edgy electronic-rock album, Oct. 17 at the Aragon.
Urban grooves
– Fresh discs from hip-hoppers L.L. Cool J (“The Smithsonian,” Sept. 23), a reunited EPMD (“Back to Business,” Sept. 23), Busta Rymes (“When Disaster Strikes,” Sept. 23), Organized Konfusion (“The EquinoGang Starr (“Moment of Truth,” Oct. 14)
– New progressive dance beats from U2 deejay-producer Howie B, “Turn the Dark Off” (Sept. 23); BT, “ESCM” (Sept. 23); Front 242, “Mutage Mixage” (Sept. 30); the Aphex Twin, “Come to Daddy” (Oct. 7); and Sylk 130, “When the Funk Hits the Fan” (Oct. 21).
Twang central
– Souled American, local goth-country avatars, in two rare shows Oct. 8-9 at the Empty Bottle
– A new Steve Earle album, “El Corazon,” Oct. 7.
– Husband-wife team Buddy and Julie Miller, Oct. 9 at Schubas.
– Jimmie Dale Gilmore, with Dale Watson, at FitzGerald’s, Sept. 26-27.
– Alan Jackson and Leann Rimes at the Rosemont Horizon, Sept. 19.
A couple of live ones
– “The Bridge School Album,” a collection of live performances by the likes of Pearl Jam, Ministry, Patti Smith, Beck, Simon & Garfunkel and others culled from the first 10 years of Neil Young’s annual charity benefit, due Nov. 18.
– A new album by post-Dead superstars Phish, the inventively titled “Live,” from a March performance in Hamburg, due out Oct. 21.
Events
Sept. 12-13: Bo Deans at Rosemont Theatre
Sept. 12: Spectrum, Frontier at Empty Bottle
Sept. 13: Aphex Twin, Sneaker Pimps at Vic
Sept. 13: Pizzicato Five at Metro
Sept. 13: Geraldine Fibbers at Lounge Ax
Sept. 13: Dale Watson at Schubas
Sept. 14: Tom Jones at Skyline Stage
Sept. 15: Yo La Tengo at Metro
Sept. 20: Dave Alvin at Old Town School of Folk Music
Sept. 20: Luna at Metro
Sept. 20: King Floyd at Buddy Guy’s Legends
Sept. 22: Ron Sexmith at Schubas
Sept. 26: Janis at Martyrs
Sept. 26: Koko Taylor, Junior Wells at House of Blues
Sept. 27: Backstreet Boys at Vic
Sept. 27: Seam at Double Door
Sept. 28: Robert Hunter at Riviera
Oct. 3: Dar Williams at Old Town School of Folk Music
Oct. 3: Maura O’Connell at Martyrs
Oct. 3: G.E. Smith, Buddy Guy’s Legends
Oct. 3: Terrance Simien at FitzGerald’s
Oct. 3: Paul Weller at the Vic
Oct. 4: Jayhawks at Metro
Oct. 9: Nanci Griffith at Rosemont Theatre
Oct. 9: Robbie Fulks at FitzGerald’s
Oct. 11: Stiff Little Fingers at Metro
Oct. 28-29: Morphine at Vic
Nov. 3: Link Wray at House of Blues
Nov. 7: Jars of Clay at Rosemont Theatre
Dec. 3: Aretha Franklin, House of Blues
