CHICAGO'S  FINEST  SET  TO  ROCK  MANILA

[PHOTO AT LEFT - Members of Chicago’s Finest (from left) Marty Grebb, Chris Pinnick, Kenny Cetera and Tim Scott with (inset) Anna Grebb]

MANILA, MAY 5, 2009 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Curtain-raisers:

•Among the Pinoy celebrities who were in Las Vegas for the Pacquiao-Hatton bout were Dr. Vicki Belo and her one-and-only Dr. Hayden Kho who insist that they haven’t reconciled as lovers but only as, ehem, “friends.” Also there was Rufa Mae Quinto who bumped into Vicki and Hayden at the entrance of the MGM Grand where the bout was held. The three pretended not to see one another, as in 'dedma'.

•As usual, there was much ado about the way an artist, Martin Nievera in this case, sang Lupang Hinirang. Some may not agree with me but I liked the way Martin sang it, jazzed-up a bit and not the marching style the National Anthem should be sung. I think Martin showed fervor and feeling in his “stylized” rendition.

•Manny Pacquiao is now dubbed as The Greatest Boxer Of All Time — a Legend no less — but I agree with many people that he should remain in the ring (or train aspiring boxers if and he decides to retire...not soon, let’s hope) and not again venture into politics. One knockout in the political arena is enough, isn’t it?

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For three memorable evenings starting on Thursday, May 7, four former members of the rock band Chicago will gather together and rock the concert scene with the authentic and enduring sound of the legendary band in a reunion concert tour music enthusiasts have been dreaming about for a long time

Marty Grebb, Chris Pinnick, Kenny Cetera and Tim Scott – ex-Chicago members who are now established musicians in their own rights flew in last night, billeted at the Hyatt Hotel & Casino-Manila. They will reunite in a group dubbed Chicago’s Finest for the musical extravaganza billed as Chicago’s Greatest Hits Live In Manila!

To be presented by Steve O’Neal Productions in cooperation with GMA Records, the concert series will open with a dinner-show on May 7 at the Hyatt Ballroom, Hyatt Hotel & Casino-Manila, to be followed by a concert on May 8 at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City; and end with another show on May 10 at the Central Bank Convention Hall, Davao City.

To be featured as opening act is Anna Grebb, a young singing sensation from California and Chicago, who arrived with the four guys. La Diva, an up-and-coming artist of GMA Records, will be the special guest.

Chicago’s Greatest Hits Live In Manila! is also supported by Hawaiian Airlines (official carrier), Hyatt Hotel & Casino-Manila (official residence), Manila Bulletin, Chrysler (official transport), Business World, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Tsikot.com, GetzMo.com, Rayban, Perez Optical, Baranggay LS, GMA 7, IFM and RJ100FM as official concert station. (Note: Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For inquiries and reservations, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

Since Chicago performed only once in the Philippines in the early ‘90s, the three-date, three-city concert of Chicago’s Finest is considered a real treat for thousands of fans who will definitely enjoy listening to the same authentic and exquisite sound from the same musicians who popularized it..

Among Chicago’s timeless hits to be showcased in the gig are Beginnings, Questions 67 & 68, I’m A Man, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Make Me Smile (complete version), Colour My World, Wake Up Sunshine, Happy Man, Call On Me, Hard To Say I’m Sorry, Saturday In The Park, 25 or 6 to 4, If You Leave Me Now and many more.

Chicago’s Finest is composed of a powerhouse group of former Chicago members who have attained individual successes in pop and rock music as solo artists or as members of other bands after leaving Chicago.

Although involved in numerous projects including extensive US tours, its members unhesitatingly decided to leave their respective engagements for a rare reunion with their fellow former musicians in touring and performing the authentic Chicago music.

Marty Grebb, original vocalist, arranger, saxophonist and keyboardist of The Buckinghams who was responsible for bringing together the ex-Chicago musicians for the tour, is considered one of the most accomplished musicians in the industry and has had successful collaborations with Leon Russell, Greg Allman, Bonnie Rait, Joe Walsh, David Sanborn and John Lennon.

Chris Pinnick, on the other hand, is involved in numerous recordings and session works for some of the biggest names in rock music in his California studio and at the same time writes scores for movies and performs live occasionally.

Kenny Cetera comes from the musical Cetera family that also includes his brothers Peter and Tim; all three of them have at one time or another performed or recorded with Chicago.

Tim Scott has performed and collaborated with rock icons like Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills.

Organized in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, Chicago began as an experimental rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound that eventually helped make it one of the longest-running and most successful American pop/rock and roll groups.

It gained popularity for producing a number of hit ballads until its steady stream of hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s placed it only second to The Beach Boys in number of singles and albums sold.

Chicago was named by Billboard magazine as the leading US singles charting group in the ‘70s, selling over 120 million albums worldwide and scoring 22 gold, 18 platinum and eight multi-platinum albums. Throughout its career, it has charted five No. 1 albums and has scored 21 Top 10 hits.

Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule

Here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule for the rest of this month:

•May 6, Wednesday, 12:15 p.m., at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, SM Megamall;

•May 7, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Healing Eucharist Loving Community

•May 9, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, Lucban, Quezon;

•May 10, Sunday, 9 a.m., at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite;

•May 11, Monday, and May 16, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., healing Mass at Kamay ni Hesus;

•May 17, Sunday, 8 a.m., at NBN Channel 4; and 11 a.m. at Wack Wack Twin Towers, Mandaluyong City;

•May 18, Monday, 9:30 a.m., healing Mass at Kamay ni Hesus;

•May 20, Tuesday, 10 a.m., at San Vicente Ferrer Parish Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija;

•May 22, Thursday, 12 noon, at Export; and at 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Hospital, Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila;

•May 23, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., healing Mass at Kamay ni Hesus;

•May 24, Sunday, 9 a.m., at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite;

•May 25, Monday, and May 30, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., healing Mass at Kamay ni Hesus (with another healing Mass at 5:30 p.m., at the Graceland Estates, Tayabas, Quezon); and

•May 31, Sunday, 8 a.m., at NBN Channel 4.