Area rockers of the late 1970s can relive their youth tonight as The Matteson Allstars host their "Fourth Annual Reunion Benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation" at Tinley Park Convention Center (18501 S. Harlem Avenue) in Tinley Park, Ill.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and there is a cash bar. FYI: mattesonallstars.com.
The Matteson Allstars formed in 1974 and hit their peak when disco was the rage.The group's zesty blend of jazz, R&B and blues was an alternative to the incessant "thump, thump, thump" dance floor assault of the era.
They gained local fame thanks to the success of a regional radio hit, "Gas Station Honey," included on the 1980 "Chicago Rocks Vol. 1" released by radio station WLUP/The Loop.
"The Matteson Allstars are alive and well," crowed saxophonist and co-founder, Barry Sperti, today a member of Jeff Brown's Music Bus, who educate students on music history with their award-winning assembly concerts at schools throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
"This is the fourth year we're doing this concert for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," Sperti said. "Expect some new tunes, some old tunes that we started back in the old days and just got around to finishing, and some re-workings of our ‘classics' from the old records and shows."
The Matteson Allstars came to an end in 1981 as members went their own ways to explore other musical projects.
Feeling nostalgic in 2006, Sperti called up his former band mates to propose a basement jam to mark the 25th anniversary of the group's demise, and to catch up on each other's lives.
"That evening was like opening a time capsule," he said. "The magic of the music and the friendships had survived the years apart." So the friends planned a one time public concert for old times sake.
Since Sperti's nephew Eric had recently been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, the group turned their nostalgic romp into a worthy cause to help further the battle against the fatal genetic disease.
Delighted and surprised to see hundreds of fans and friends turn out at that 2006 benefit, the Allstars have since reunited each year just before the holidays to repeat the event.
Also on tonight's performance bill are region rock group, The Process (featuring Sperti's son, Nick), and Jennifer Knuth, vocalist of the group Written In Red.
Music notes
* Got a classic rock fan on your gift-giving list? A ton of additional autographed memorabilia has poured in for the Silent Celebrity Auction portion of tonight's "Giving' The Dog A Bone (And The Cat Too!" shelter animal benefit from 5 p.m. to midnight at Patrician Banquet Hall (410 E. US 30) in Schererville.
Just received are items signed by Van Halen, Motley Crue, ELP, Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, Dokken, Cheap Trick, Ritchie Blackmore, Aerosmith, and KISS. Performing at tonight's all ages benefit are X-Girlfriend, The Backwoods Band, Marrakesh Express, Rick Murk, Jimmy Sarr and Chris Pena. FYI: xrock1039.com
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach him at beatboss@aol.com.
