Last Saturday my friends and I celebrated a couple birthdays with another great night of entertainment at Des Plaines Theatre. The newly reopened historic theater has quickly become the area’s hot spot.

The music and spirit of the legendary Buddy Rich came alive. The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine Groovy Christmas Show kicked the holiday spirit into high gear with a night of classic Christmas music in their unique style.

Buddy’s daughter Cathy promised her father she would carry on his legacy. In 1988, one year after Buddy’s death, Cathy created and produced The Buddy Rich Memorial Concerts. The Buddy Rich Band has toured the world ever since.

Photo courtesy of Steve Gassman.

With Cathy providing her smooth vocals, drummer Gregg Potter keeps the beat. Potter’s career stretches back to his teenage days, playing in Chicago deejay Steve Dahl’s band. He has played with many Hall of Fame musicians and won an Emmy Award for his performance at the Grammy Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Steve Gassman.

While the band keeps Buddy’s music alive, it is not a throwback tribute band. It has been described as “heavy metal big band,” which I found to be accurate. It is Buddy’s legendary sound performed in a loud, high-energy style. It combined the best of both worlds and drew an audience of all ages.

Before the night ended, we made plans to return for Mr. Speed, a Kiss tribute band. It’s right before my birthday, and the plan is to “rock and roll all night,” as Gene Simmons would sing.

— John Wroblewski, online writer