Legendary recording artist Alan Gerber Returns Home to Skokie

Singer, songwriter and musician Alan Gerber returns to his Skokie roots with an appearance at The Skokie Theater, 7924 Lincoln, Skokie, IL 60077 on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 8:00PM with his show, Alan Gerber: Coming Home. Gerber, now a resident of Val David, Quebec, Canada has spent much of the past 25 years touring in Canada and throughout Europe. Gerber’s appearances and recording reflect his wide music range from R&B, rock and jazz and showcase him playing a variety of musical instruments including piano, guitar, slide guitar, accordion and violin. Audiences have cheered in venues as diverse as small-town clubs to the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Gerber, a regular performer at Chicago’s now-storied Lettuce Entertain You owned Byfield’s nightclub in the Ambassador East Hotel in the 1980’s, was born in Skokie, attended Niles East High School and lived in the Chicago area until 1967 when he hit the road touring and recording with his legendary Elektra Records group, "Rhinoceros".

Where energy, intellect and an unbridled passion for life intersect, there you’ll find the music of Alan Gerber. Possessing a rock ‘n roll swagger born from years in the musical trenches tempered by a soulful poet’s heart, Gerber has won a devoted legion of fans drawn to his cleverly crafted lyrics and engaging live performances. “I’m really into the physicality of music, of rock ‘n roll and R&B,” Gerber says, “but I’m also really into poetry and intelligent lyrics, talking about something that is important to me and hopefully other people. My songs are stories about life.”

Gerber has an extensive musical resume that includes working with Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and the Doors’ legendary producer Paul Rothchild, but these days he’s entered his most satisfying musical chapter yet recruiting his son and daughter for his latest project The Grand and the Small. Family and music are at the core of Gerber’s life and blending the two on his new album is especially gratifying. “We were playing for 15,000 people at the Montreal Jazz Festival and people were going nuts,” he said. Whether he’s performing with his children and a full band or as a solo artist, Gerber is a riveting live performer who has developed a reputation for holding an audience in the palm of his hand.

Alan Gerber live on stage is a unique experience perhaps best summed up by critics, venue management and fans alike including these recent reviews:

Inuvik’s Miki O’Kane said, “Gerber delivered an evening of musical delights. Hands clapping, toes tapping, smiles broadening – the fun of boogie woogie, the soul of rock n’ roll, and the sentiment of sweet lyrics were enjoyed that evening. And Alan became one of us as he invited us to sing along---which of course we did enthusiastically---laughed and cajoled with us at the break and jammed with local musicians.”

“There are lots of people walking around our town today with their hair still messed up...a kind of euphoric shell-shock,” Ron Scott proclaimed after a recent Gerber show at the Sam Waller Museum in Manitoba. “Electric, eclectic, exquisite---last night's show was one wild white water trip! Every bend brought another splash in the face! Exhilarating! How could this boat not flip over at these speeds in such big waves? In the end he brought us through safely...all sunburned, soaking wet and grinning ear to ear!! Can we go again?!”

Terry Whalen, Artistic Director, Whalen’s Barn, Maramichi, NB said, "The synergy of Alan Gerber is a complex concoction difficult to explain. Without question Alan is greater than the sum of his parts, and when combined and on display for a mesmerized and awestruck audience, you can fully understand Alan Gerber in the flesh! Alan is a seasoned pro, a master-class of how to take years of honing your craft and a million plus miles of live performances to reach this level. Within the first 30 seconds of a live Alan Gerber show the audience is hooked, completely … I beg you to experience a live performance.... “

“I look forward to seeing many old friends and to meeting some new people with my return. Chicago and Skokie were where I developed my love for music and my Midwestern work ethic. It will be great to be home,” Gerber said.

Tickets for this unique musical event are on sale now for $25 and can be purchased at www.skokietheater.org/alan-gerber.html or by calling 847.677.7761.