Peterik Does The Unbelievable Again
At World Stage V

     When the City of Arlington Heights asked Jim Peterik to bring his famous World Stage show to the Breeders Cup festivities, little did they know just how much he would shake things up.  Like the shows in the past, each one unique from the other, the Arlington concert was no exception to that rule. 
      To be able to put together a show of this caliber is quite a feat in itself.  But Peterik has once again done the unbelievable.  Surrounded by friends and an all-star line up to showcase their hits along with songs Peterik has penned, the fifth WS show was now set in motion.  For the 2000 fans that braved the cold, it was a night to hear some of the greatest rockers in rock 'n roll.

     From the moment the show opened with the entire cast performing the theme song Night of the World Stage, Peterk had the audience glued to their seats.  Jeff Boyle then took center stage and sang Can't Say It Loud Enough.
     Following Jeff, another local musician making good at his first WS appearance was none other then Off Broadway's Cliff Johnson.  Cliff really got the crowd worked up singing Zig Zag and his hit Stay In Time/Full Moon.
      Back for his fifth WS performance and always a huge favorite with any audience, Kevin Chalfant (Two Fires and The Storm) sang two Survivor hits, Summer Nights and I Can't Hold Back with Jim on keyboards.  By the time Kevin had the crowd singing along to I Got A Lot To Learn About Love, the place was in a frenzy.  Kevin is truly one of the best vocalists in rock today.

     Right on the heels of Kevin's outstanding and powerful performance Indiana's Rocker Henry Lee Summer, also did an incredible job performing Hey Baby, Wish I Had A Girl, Caught Up In You, and Hold on Loosely.
     The Ides of March then joined Jim on his beautiful rock ballad The Search Is Over.  No matter how many times Jim sings this classic hit audiences love to hear it.  Changing the pace a little by adding some fun and humor to Vehicle, The Ides brass along with Marzette Griffith performed a soulful rendition of their number one hit, while Marzette showed off his amazing dance moves.

     With Jim by his side, Henry Paul (Outlaws) gave one of the most emotional performance that evening, singing his latest Brothers of the Southland. A song he and Jim co-wrote dedicated to all the musicians who died too young.  He also performed Every Once In A While and Big Guitar to the delight of his fans.
      Kip Winger, a kick ass hard rocker, got the crowd on their feet to Easy Come Easy Go, Everything You Need and Headin' For A Heartbreak.  My daughter Tracy sure had a heartache when she saw he had cut his long hair.
     The crowd went absolutely nuts when legendary Alan Parsons graced the stage and played Sirius Theme/Eye In The Sky.  Kelly Keagy and Danny Kravitz then had the pleasure of joining Parsons on Games People Play and Wouldn't Want To Be Like You.
 

     As Kelly Keagy came out for the final two numbers, the whole place went wild.  It was just one big jam party with 2000 people singing along to Sister Christian and Don't Tell Me You Love Me.  I am sure the whole neighborhood could hear all the fun this concert had brought to the City of Arlington Heights.  With the crowd in a festive mood and yelling for more, Jim and Company closed the show with Tossin' and Turnin' and of course Eye Of The Tiger.
   As Jim stood on that stage and thanked all his friends and guests for making WS a huge success, you could see the admiration he had for all his fellow musicians and they for him.  Yes, Jim sure has come a long way from his Berwyn roots and his first number one hit.  How will Peterik top this show?  We will just have to wait and see in January when we will be given the opportunity to enjoy two more special events of World Stage.  

BY JOYCE PALIULIS
11/2/02