BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & BOB SEGER
- A ROCK TRIIBUTE
Performed by Sons of Chicago
Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts
Schaumburg Illinois
28th March 2026
Words by Glenn Noble
Photos by Jennifer Noble

Being present at a performance of iconic music, performed by a group of talented musicians, is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. When that show is also doing good by raising funds to feed hungry people, that feeling is even more rewarding. So it was Saturday night in the impressive setting of the 400-seat Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, where a full house enjoyed a spectacular collage of some of the best-known and loved entries in the catalog of songs by two of classic rock’s biggest names, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger.

Running for a solid two hours, the Sons of Chicago, a big 8-piece band, propelled the audience on a journey through some two dozen numbers intertwining the distinctive cadences of the Springsteen canon with that “Old Time Rock and Roll” of Bob Seger. Lead vocalist and head honcho Lucca Feracota handled both parts with equal ease and considerable vigor, energetically encouraging the crowd to be part of the show, with hand clapping, toe tapping and downright dancing in the aisles. Equally energetic sax man Bob Sass just couldn’t be pinned down to one spot on the stage, or indeed off stage as he worked his way in among the audience.

It was important to pause for just for a moment to recognize the Serious reason behind the entertainment. This event was part of a tour created with the goal of relieving hunger by providing 40,000 meals to food pantries in Southern Wisconsin, Chicagoland, and Northern
Indiana. To further that end we were delighted to acknowledge the donation of a generous $5000. The whole tour is generously supported by Wintrust Bank, the Bomher Family Foundation, and the Pinnacle Foundation.

Back to the music and the band were now really hitting their stride. Grand piano player Eric Nyberg showed off some serious vocal skills to add to his keyboard chops on a sensational rendition of “Like a Rock” which also had lead guitarist Gino Sigismondi execute an exquisite slide guitar solo. With a jazzy organ intro from Chicago blues stalwart Brother John Kattke, “The Fever” again had Bob and Lucca working the crowd - there were quite a few folks snapping “singing selfies” with these guys as souvenirs. The energy level was high and stayed up there as the band rocked through songs such as “Fire”, “Spirit of the Night” and “Dancing In the Dark”, accompanied by the dancers who had taken over the space in front of the stage. More lively sax breaks marked out the closing pair of tunes - “Kathmandu” and “Rosalita” - nicely giving one each to Mr. Seger and Mr. Springsteen. A well-earned ovation rounded off the evening, showing hearty appreciation for all the musicians who had worked so hard to make the show great. In addition to those mentioned above, thanks go to musical director Chris Coresale on guitar, and of course not forgetting the solid engine room of Mitch Straeffer on bass and Dr. Chris Morrow on drums.

People love to hear the songs of artists that they grew up with, no matter if they have heard them a thousand times. However, in the hands of such a professional, tight band, with some real showmanship up front, the magic feeling that first engraved the music in the hearts and memories of so many people is rekindled. Coupled with that additional feelgood factor due to the charitable objective of the show, this was exactly the kind of event that loudly proclaims the power of live music performance to uplift and nourish the soul.

Glenn Noble - Reporter
Chicago Music Critic