The Ides Of March
at Lambs Farm 1998

The weather couldn't have cooperated any better as over 3,000 people gathered on the grounds of Lambs Farm in Libertyville, Illinois for the 5th annual WJMK Family Music Fest. One of the bands that performed was Chicago's own Ides Of March, a band that got it's start back in the late 60's, then reemerged in the 90's; with original members ready to bring back memories. Led by Jim Peterik and Chuck Soumar, the group still performs as strong now as they did thirty years ago.

The Ides of March opened up with the Vehicle overture (from the Age Before Beauty cd), then swung into action as the horn section stirred up the crowd. Jim Peterik showed a little disappointment that he wasn't able to go into the crowd as is his usual habit, but he made up for it by clowning around at times on stage. When the band did Tobacco Road, he and Scott, the keyboardist, had fun playing their instruments on their backs. Rather unusual and exciting. Most of the music sung was their own, but the set also inclueded "Eye of The Tiger"; a song made by Survivor, a group Jim Peterik wrote and performed with in the 80's. The crowd went wild at the end when the band swung into Vehicle, after a 10 minute(at least) version of Tobacco Road.

The Ides of March may consist of men in their late 40's, but to watch them will leave you amazed. The energy displayed on stage, especially by Jim; and the power in their singing will surely carry this group into the next century. I "rediscovered" The Ides Of March last November and regret how much I have missed not hearing them before that. If you haven't had a chance to catch one of their shows, don't wait too long. To see them on stage is a great chance to recapture a piece of the past.

Cheri Miller

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