On June 13, 2015, a night that could have been billed as “Songs and Stories at NYCB Theatre at Westbury,” Peter Cetera, the former Chicago band member and master of the ballad held the audience in the palm of his hands. Complemented by an inviting personality, Cetera came ready, sprinkling in anecdotes in with the songs that fans came to hear. Without an opening act, the entire Saturday night belonged to Cetera, and he truly owned it. With another twelve live dates here in The States, on tour through the end of the year, the seventy year old vocalist, songwriter, bassist and producer appeared tan, fit, and not the least bit road weary. Under a shock of light blond hair, Cetera possessed boundless energy that propelled a show resplendent with a variety of songs that spanned back to his years in Chicago, as well as his many hits that came after his departure from the band.
Seemingly a lifetime ago, Cetera, already in a group called The Exceptions, saw a live show by an act called The Big Thing and was dazzled by their fusion of Rock and Roll with a horn section. It was late 1967 and Cetera left his band to join The Big Thing, which soon transformed in identity to The Chicago Transit Authority, and when that name proved to be problematic with the actual association that went by the same name, was shortened to just Chicago. Cetera grew as a songwriter and bass player, as well as sharing vocal duties on a few key songs while with Chicago. His eclectic career includes collaborating with David Foster and singing backup vocals for both Billy Joel and Paul Anka, and in 1981, his foray into the solo artist category was a reality with his self-titled album via Warner Brothers. As music videos and MTV became game changers in the entertainment industry, he became the face of Chicago, taking the lead in many of their videos. In July of 1985, after his proposal to take a break to work on a solo project was rejected by the band, Cetera and Chicago went their separate ways, opening up lots of new collaborations for him, including creating music for films.
The round stage at NYCB Theatre at Westbury brought back fond memories for Cetera, who had graced this stage countless times. On this night in particular, the stage was in a fixed position, rather than in full-on rotating mode. As he surveyed it thoughtfully, Cetera, who wore a sharp suit with a checkered steel gray jacket, sauntered over to stage right in front of the full rows of seats surrounding him.
“I think I’ve fallen off this stage before,” he teased the packed house with a glimmer in his eye, like a favorite uncle you have not seen since the holidays. “It’s like a big ol’ lazy susan up here. I’ll take one of these and one of those. We call this “Theater in the Raw” since you can’t go anywhere to hide and scratch,” he quipped. “Scratch away,” came a call from a man in the audience and Cetera laughed.
Cetera’s strong touring band was comprised of longtime keyboardist Boh Cooper; who also plays with David Foster, Jonathan Hamby on keyboards, drummer Steve Brewster, new member Tony Radda on guitar, Joe Chemay on bass; who has toured with Mike Nesmith and sang with Pink Floyd on The Wall, vocalist Chris Rodriguez; who also handles lead guitar, and singer Jamelle Fraley; who has toured with Carrie Underwood. Cetera seamlessly integrated his band into their own spotlight moments, highlighting them and showcasing their talents. With his signature vocal style with his teeth clenched, Cetera’s voice sounded crystal clear and unchanged by time. He moved fluidly to each member’s station on the stage, fully engaged with the musicians as well as the audience.
The first handful of songs were audience favorites including “Restless Heart” and “If You Leave Me Now.” The demographic at the show ranged from very young to contemporaries of Cetera, but generally had one thing in common. Falling on a Saturday night, this concert was date night for all ages with lots of hand-holding, snuggling, and the dress attire being raised a few notches beyond casual with more than a handful of couples in formal suits and gowns.
Fraley brought her vocal A game, taking the parts of Cher and Amy Grant in the notable duets “After All” and “The Next Time I Fall,” sharing center stage with Cetera who graciously shared the spotlight. “Someone backstage handed me a People magazine from 1977, 1978,” Cetera told the audience. “Scary. It scares the living **** out of you. Long pants, short pants,” he joked, recalling the ever changing fashions he has lived through.
Cetera shared the story of songs that were written for movies but did not quite make it in, as was the case with “One Good Woman.” “It was written for Big, the Tom Hanks movie, but they didn’t use it,” he explained, laughing. “They didn’t want to pay me, they didn’t get to use it, ta ta!”
Stories behind the videos added color to the night, with Cetera as master storyteller, describing the era of MTV and having a crush on Martha Quinn because, well,” everyone did.” “In the video for this next song, I was a mechanic, and there was a hot girl and a car chase, and in the end I end up dying but I don’t cause here I am!” he proclaimed and went into “Stay the Night.”
“Even a Fool Can See,” “Save Me,“ and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” brought wild applause from the audience. Giving Cetera the chance to pop off stage for a bit, Fraley lead a rousing version of “You’re No Good” followed by Rodriguez who sang “Come Together.” “Glory of Love,” “Hard Habit to Break,” “Dialogue” and “You’re the Inspiration” rounded out the full set.
The audience thundered for more, and when the band returned to the round stage, the fans were not disappointed. “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” brought cell phones out of pockets, switched over to video mode, and Cetera finished off the night with a rocking version of “25 or 6 to 4” with most concert goers in the intimate venue swaying on their feet, echoes of the last notes reverberating in their heads long after they left the premises. A solid show put on by a master performer who won over even skeptical boyfriends or husbands brought to the show by the ladies in their lives who call themselves fans of Cetera, a master of ceremonies who gained lots of new fans that night.
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