First visit to Amway KIA Center since they changed names last year! So it was great to be back.Growing up in south suburban Chicago, my favorite band was a bunch of local boys that went by the name “Chicago” (USA). Loving that big brass sound they played, my second favorite was another bunch of Chicago originals that also played brass. Their show last night at KIA Center began promptly at 7:30PM with a photo montage.And then, just moments later, there they were…..Earth, Wind & Fire (USA)They opened with their Grammy-winning hit “Shining Star” (1975). Overall in their career, they would be nominated 17 times for Grammy awards, winning 6 times.Place was packed last night! “I wanna see ya at the KIA!” I believe there are 3 original band members still playing including Verdine White.Hits played included “Sing A Song“, “Gotta Get Ya Into My Life” and “Devotion“.Another original Philip Bailey singing Grammy-winning “After The Love Has Gone” (1979). Their set was just one hour long but we also got Disco-classics “Boogie Wonderland” and “September“. You know how many cruises we do and how many 70’s Nights we attend onboard and those are two songs we hear often! We then had a 45-minute intermission.Spotted at the bar: Sarah P.Spotted in the top tier: Amy S. & Michelle W.And then, after the break, another photo montage for…..The headliner, the legend, Lionel Richie (USA).He would open with “Hello” followed by “Running With The Night“.Even at age 74, his voice was just as one remembers it from his many, many hits.And he looks great too. Nominated for 32 Grammy awards and winning 4 times, amazing!“Sail On” and “You Are“.“Dancing On The Ceiling“Another view on stage. Lionel has a B.S. in Economics from Tuskegee Institute. When Lionel Richie went solo around 1982, he broke out as a balladeer/troubadour and produced one hit love song after another! He’s surely done thousands of shows over the decades and you could tell he still enjoys it.Following a quick wardrobe change from white to black, he moved out onto the runway.While he is currently touring with EWF, Lionel Richie originally came to fame as part of another Chicago-based group, the Commodores (USA).And he would do a Commodores medley last night too that included “Fancy Dancer“, “Lady You Bring Me Up” and “Just To Be Close To You“. This was followed by “Endless Love” (with the audience singing the Diana Ross role). All backed by his band.And one of my favorites…..”Brick House”.Accompanied by flame throwers along the back of the stage, “Fire”.Back out on the runway for “Still” and “Say You, Say Me“.And “All Night Long“.Back in the 80’s you couldn’t listen to pop radio for a half hour without hearing a Lionel Richie song. Taking us back to our youth, an amazing night of nostalgia! A good time was had by all.
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