Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things in Chicago. This week, it’s Jay Smith, news director for WTTW News and executive producer for “Chicago Tonight,” on his favorite local concerts during the ‘80s. Jay Smith: On Sunday, the Canadian power trio Rush will perform in concert for the first time in nearly 11 years in Los Angeles. I’ll be there, seeing Rush for the 24th time. They’re playing Chicago at United Center on July 16, 18, 20 and 22, too. When I was asked to produce a list of my top concerts of the 80s, I had a dilemma. Would you want to read a list that only included one band? I didn’t think so. So here is my list of the five most memorable concerts I saw in the 80s that weren’t Rush.
5. Bob Dylan with Tom Petty, June 29, 1986, Poplar Creek Music Theater ($12.50) The two alternated playing their own songs and did a few together. Tom Petty, rest in peace. Bob Dylan, rest at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on July 8.
4. Johnny & The Leisure Suits, June 25, 1988, Poplar Creek Music Theater ($15.50) Remember, I said memorable, not necessarily good. Nothing was more late-80s Chicago than Johnny B. In the early 90s, Brandmeier was tapped to host a syndicated TV show, recorded here at WTTW. Sadly for him (but not for audiences), it lasted only a couple weeks.
3. Stevie Nicks with opener Joe Walsh, July 18, 1983, Rosemont Horizon ($13.50) As a teenage boy, I went to see Joe Walsh. He was awesome. Stevie Nicks ended up being pretty good, too.
2. George Thorogood & The Delaware Destroyers, August 11, 1986, Genesee Theater ($13.50) I remember a personality on The Loop introducing a song on the radio with, “He’s Thorough. He’s Good. He’s Thorogood.” The show rocked this mid-sized venue to the bone.
1. Duran Duran, February 24, 1984, Rosemont Horizon (ticket stub lost!) I wasn’t all that excited about going. My girlfriend (now wife) wanted to go, and her mom didn't want her to go with just a group of girls. So, my 115-pound self went as a chaperone and bodyguard. As it turned out, I felt like we were seeing The Beatles. Women and girls screamed for what seemed like the entire show. Forty years later, I have a better appreciation of Duran Duran and wish I had paid more attention.
