Ron Onesti: A 1960s Chicago garage rock concert of a lifetime

Although I was only about 5 years old when Chicago's answer to the British Invasion came barreling out onto the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show," the Buckinghams have always been a favorite in our home. So when I was fortunate enough to host a reunion concert of not only the original Bucks but also other bands that helped to write rock 'n' roll history at the same time, I could not have been more excited!

This very special evening was to be a medical expense fundraiser for keyboardist/guitarist/saxophonist Marty Grebb. Grebb is an industry legend and a true unsung hero of the music biz. He joined the Buckinghams during the band's "breakout year" in 1966/67 when the group enjoyed five consecutive smash hits, including "Kind Of A Drag" and "Don't You Care."

Just after the band's original breakup, Grebb went on to produce and tour with many other music icons such as Leon Russell, Rufus Wainwright, Bonnie Raitt, Olivia Newton-John, Etta James and Eric Clapton.

So I was waiting for a flight in a New York airport when original Buckinghams vocalist and old friend Dennis Tufano called me with a vision. "I would like to have all of us on stage to salute and to help our good friend Marty," he said.

"You mean all you original Buckinghams on stage together? You guys haven't been on stage together in over 40 years!" I said. "I would be honored to be a part of it. The Arcada and everything that comes with it is yours, no charge!"

So Dennis worked diligently to put together an all-star cast for this once-in-a-lifetime show. I spoke with Bucks original guitarist and current lead vocalist Carl Giammarese about the project that night from my hotel room. It was a tall order because so many years had passed since the guys performed together and the band is currently enjoying a major resurgence. "But for Marty, I would do anything," he said.

Several weeks passed and during this time, other Chicago "garage rock" bands jumped onto the bill. It was all coming together, and getting bigger and bigger!

So the big night finally comes, May 7, 2015. It was a red carpet night as it felt like one of those awards shows where all these celebrities just kept showing up all day for rehearsals, carrying zippered garment bags and stickered guitar cases over their shoulders. I am around celebrities literally every week, but this really felt different.

The buzz of the night continued to escalate as all the acts got dressed and had dinner backstage in our dressing rooms. It was so cool because the acts were as excited as the audience was!

It was another surreal moment for me, as it was for so many others that night. Never would I have imagined these pioneers of rock, these musical monsters of Chicago, all on one stage together - let alone it being MY stage!

Along with several other musicians who generously donated their time and talents to the night's performance, Chicago music royalty took the stage. It was rightfully introduced by none other than radio icon Dick Biondi, a radio legend who broke many of these acts and truly helped their careers along the way.

Ronnie Rice, from the New Colony Six, did an acoustic set including the band's two biggest hits, which he wrote and sang lead on, "I Will Always Think About You" and "Things I'd Like To Say." Although I missed those colonial outfits that he and his band members wore back then, he did a great job with his comedic presentation. Those songs were so huge, and so many more were on the way, I just got that much more excited!

Next, Jim "J.C. Hooke" Pilster and Tom Doody and the rest of The Cryan' Shames took the stage. They performed their biggest hits including "Sugar And Spice" to an audience completely on its feet. Jimy Sohns from the Shadows of Knight followed with his official Rock anthem, "Gloria." Every single person there yelled out, "G-L-O-R-I-A" in loud unison, sounding much like an old high school dance.

In another reunion of sorts, former Madura bandmates Al DeCarlo and Hawk Wolinski did 'Stagger Lee," another hit of the era. But the twist? They were joined on stage by legendary drummer and original member of the band Chicago, Danny Seraphine! How cool was it to see him on the drums. It was all too familiar as Chicago was one of my all-time favorite bands.

"Saturday In The Park," "Beginnings," "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is" … just a few of the incredible songs Seraphine performed on. That was the group I never missed, seeing them more than 20 times in my life!

That ever colorful and multitalented singer/songwriter Jim Peterik joined the rest of his Ides of March band members for two of his super-smashes, "Eye Of The Tiger" and "Vehicle." As he dedicated "The Eye" to Marty for being a true courageous champion, the crowd became emotional. Then those fabulous Ides horns blasted out those legendary opening notes of "Vehicle" and the place erupted!

Superstar keyboardist Scott May, who has played with virtually all the acts on the stage that day, did some songs from his newly released CD. The Chicago Experience performed some of Chicago's biggest hits. Both acts did a special tribute to Marty Grebb.

Then Marty came on stage with a few musician all-star friends. He was dressed in a long leather Native American coat and one of those hats like Clint Eastwood wore in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." He was as incredible as he had ever been! Going from piano to organ to sax to guitar, he sang a few songs, including a fabulous rendition of Ray Charles' "Come Rain Or Come Shine" in tribute to a scrolling video list of those loved ones in his life who have passed away.

Then the main event happened! Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb, Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna … all together again doing those incredible songs! The original Buckinghams back together after 45 years! And it was wonderful - like they never missed a beat!

The elephant in the room was that there were two "lead" singers of The Bucks on stage at the same time, but Dennis and Carl were true gentlemen, true professionals. It was seamless and a GREAT show!

The finale brought everybody back on stage together. As I stood backstage and reflected about those "neighborhood" guys who have all traveled the world, making millions of people happy singing along with them, I could not help but get a bit choked up. Each band and performer there that night has played to thousands of people in arenas everywhere. They did it without the Internet, corporate sponsor dollars or MTV. They did it by playing the high schools, the proms, the homecomings.

They did it with pure passion and for very little money.

As each one performed, for me it was like an old "Batman" episode on television. "BAM" there is a huge hit, "POW" there is another smash, "BANG" yet another favorite. I salute these entertainers, with all of my heart. The gifts they gave to us music fans can never be truly re-paid. As humble as they are talented, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame needs to build a wing dedicated to rockers from Chicago.

Let's fire up those petitions!

• Ron Onesti is president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and The Historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Celebrity questions and comments? Email ron@oshows.com.