Band reunites for benefit show in Barrington
More than 20 years ago, five Mundelein High School and Stevenson High students played out their rock 'n' roll dreams by forming the band Eclipse.
This weekend, the outfit will reunite for a special concert benefiting Paul Babski, a member suffering from a muscular disease.
The show is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. In addition to Eclipse, a band called Dulcet Road and another called Pete Jive and Juice Digits will perform.
Eclipse consisted of four Mundelein High School students - Kevin Anderson, Dave Smith, Dan Patten and Bob Helge - and Babski, who attended Stevenson High School.
Babski, a 1987 Stevenson graduate, played lead guitar; Anderson, a 1988 Mundelein graduate, sang and played bass; Smith, a 1988 Mundelein graduate, was the drummer; Patten, a 1990 Mundelein graduate, played keyboards; and Helge, a 1989 Mundelein graduate, played guitar.
They played dances, parties, some all-ages events at local bars and talent shows.
"It was all amateur stuff," Anderson recalled.
Each member went on to a different college, but they got back together to play during breaks from school. As is the case with so many musical groups, adulthood and its responsibilities dissolved the band.
Babski now lives in Crystal Lake; Anderson lives in Bolingbrook; Smith lives in Marshfield, Wis.; Patten calls Barrington home; and Helge lives in Mundelein.
But there was no question the band would get back together to help Babski.
He was diagnosed with dermatomyostis in early 2009, according to a news release from Mundelein High. The disease, which has no cure, is characterized by chronic muscle inflammation, muscle weakness and a rash on the eyelids and muscles near joints.
Sunday's concert will raise money for Babski's medical bills and daily living expenses, Anderson said.
The ex-bandmates remained friends after their college years, but until a recent rehearsal they hadn't played music together for about 20 years, Anderson said.
"I was probably rustier than anybody," he said.
When Eclipse takes the stage, the band will play covers of classic rock songs rather than their own material from the 1980s, Anderson said.
Babski hopes to play one song with the band, the news release said.
A $10 recommended donation will get you in the door.
For more information, visit the show's Facebook page, hs.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Palooza-Babski-Family-Benefit-Concert/316061874132.