VIDEO: The Beginnings Chicago Tribute Band to Perform in Greenwich

For 32 years the Greenwich Silver Shield Association, which represents the Greenwich Police rank-and-file, has presented a free community concert.

And this year’s concert is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1 featuring Beginnings — The Chicago Tribute Band.

The way retired Lt. Tommy Keegan, who handles the association’s fund-raising and community programs, tells it, “I love the music of the band Chicago. People growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s remember the music and kids today are going back to liking the music of that era.”

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So to that end Keegan decided this year’s concert would feature Chicago — or least the music of the band that’s considered one of the top American rock bands. “To hire Chicago would cost well north of $100,000. I was speaking to a promoter who said many of the original members aren’t in the band anymore … find a tribute band,” Keegan said Monday.

So Keegan booked the Long Island-based band that was formed in 2002 and has performed around the country including casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, the Epcot Center and Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun casino.

“When you close your eyes, you think you are listening to Chicago…they are that good,” Keegan said.

[SEE A VIDEO OF THE GROUP PERFORMING BEFORE.]

“So come on out and enjoy it. It’s free,” Keegan added.

The 90-minute show will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park on Arch Street, next to the Arch Teen Center.

Photo credits: #1: The Beginnings via beginningstributeband.com. #2: Tommy Keegan. Credit: Barbara Heins.