Black Crowes out; Doobies, DeYoung in for Naperville's Last Fling

The Black Crowes won't be roosting in Naperville this summer, after all.

The much-hyped reunited southern rock band has pulled out of their planned Aug. 31 Last Fling headlining gig.

But while one band is out, organizers of the city's annual Labor Day weekend bash announced they have booked two other bands and are close to finding a replacement for The Black Crowes.

Former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung will headline opening night, Aug. 29.

DeYoung, a native of the Chicago area, shot to fame with his former band in the 1970s and continued to have successes in the 1980s with songs like "Mr. Roboto" and "Lady." Styx reformed in the 1990s and released "Show Me the Way," which became an anthem of 1991's Gulf War.

DeYoung split from bandmates James Young and Tommy Shaw, who continue to tour as Styx without the original frontman, who penned and sang lead on many of the band's hit songs.

"There's a certain amount of pride at being able to have a local artist who is as accomplished as he is and still as relevant play our event," said John Wrona, co-executive director of the Naperville Jaycees-sponsored event.

Also, the Doobie Brothers will perform the next night, Saturday, Wrona said.

The band last played Naperville in 2006 at Ribfest, but Wrona said he had no problem booking the band for Last Fling because of the feedback he heard from everyone who was at that show.

"I was there that night, too, and I thought they sounded great," he said. "I booked Collective Soul two years in a row because they absolutely killed, and I think we'll do just as well with The Doobie Brothers."

As for The Black Crowes, the band cited traveling difficulties as its reason for backing out. They're criss-crossing the continent and have shows in Canada that promoters told Last Fling organizers would be tough to maneuver in such a short period of time.

"We're disappointed The Black Crowes are not going to honor our agreement, but we're moving on and are equally committed as always to providing the best entertainment for our people to come and see and I'm sure we'll have another great event," Wrona said.