70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts - Raging Pages
by Lisa Torem
published: 19 / 12 / 2024
intro
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem examines a new photo book on 1970's Chicago rock concerts from photographer Jim Summaria and writer Mark Plotnik
I met Jim Summaria when we both covered a Johnny Winter concert more than fifteen years ago. Since that time, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim, one of Chicagoland's finest concert photographers on numerous live reviews. '70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts is Jim Summaria's second book, with writer Mark Plotnick, and is emblematic of this teams' story telling savvy and cultural integrity. Readers get a backstage pass and the opportunity to rewitness the alchemy of innovative acts across the pond: The Who, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, et al., through Summaria's animated, action shots and Plotnick's detailed insights, "probable concert setlists" and "musical influences who matter." Yes, the other side of the pond is also fully explored, from former James Gang guitarist Joe Walsh, Boston's creme de la creme, The J. Giels Band to virtuosic Ronnie Montrose. It's Eric Clapton honoring the legacy of Robert Johnson, B.B. King extolling the "mysteries" of the blues, a blitzed Edgar Winter, splicing tape in the control room; former Savoy Brown multi-instrumentalist Kim Simmonds, marvelling at multi-generational mingling. Moreover, Summaria and Plotnick's book sheds light, not just on the famous acts and their records, but the obscure. I was pleased to see credit given to hard-working musicians that have not sufficiently been given their due. I highly recommend '70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts. The photos pop. The ink sings. The second you turn the page, you're in the front row.
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