Eagles tribute brings rock back

By Sam Malone

DeKalb — Fans of the 1970s rock legends the Eagles may not have the opportunity to see the founding members come together, but they do have the opportunity to see Eagles tribute band Heartache Tonight at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

This is the second show in a series of four put together by Dynasty Entertainment whose proceeds will go to the Opportunity House, 357 N. California St., Sycamore.

Rick Pesavento, a representative from the Opportunity House, said the shows go hand in hand with the music classes the organization recently put together for its clients.

“The interaction and the benefit and the support that the community provides us really is so supportive of both parties,” Pesavento said. “We definitely benefit a lot from the support of the community, and I think the community really enjoys having our [clients] around and being involved. That connection between the two, I think there would really be a void if we weren’t around here.”

Clients of the Opportunity House will be in attendance at the show, which will begin with a brief statement from one of their representatives before launching into the classic tunes of the Eagles.

While Heartache Tonight will perform music by the Eagles, Tom Carey, one of the group’s guitarists, said they like to put their own creative stretch into some of the pieces to give fans something new, but familiar.

Heartache Tonight has been perfecting their tribute show for 10 years and prides themselves on their attention to musical detail when it comes to the crushing guitar riffs and swooning harmonies. Carey said they aim to leave fans feeling as if they truly experienced the Eagles but in a way that is unique and original to each night’s performance.

“We’re really about the music, and when it’s done well, it’s enough,” Carey said. “Typically the executive director of a theater will be from the theater community, and it’s like ‘well you guys just stand there and sing? I don’t get it, where’s the show?’ like [the music is] not enough, but it is. The music is enough, and it’s more than enough.”

Charging through iconic songs such as “Hotel California” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” Heartache Tonight does not shy away from the driving music and challenging harmonies that make the Eagles’ music so admirable. Carey said their set list for the show at the Egyptian Theatre will take fans through the decades of hits produced by the Eagles.

Tickets for this classic rock experience can be purchased for $28 at the Egyptian Theatre’s website, but Robert Stolzman, owner of Dynasty Entertainment, said he urges students who are interested to contact him if they cannot afford the price of admission. He said it is important to him that students experience music and community in an encouraging environment, no matter their financial status.

As for Carey, he said he hopes students make it out because no matter what style of music they are listening to he is sure they will love the melodies of the Eagles. He said the group plays with an incredible degree of skill, and he is proud and humbled to be performing alongside such talented musicians.

“I hope people at the college will come out too,” Carey said. “If you’re a guitar player or you’re into classic rock at all, seeing these guys play these guitar parts is amazing, and there’s such good singers in this band. Seeing that all come together if you’re into music at all, even if you think this is your dad’s music, it’s awful good stuff.”