Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience, a tribute band that plays the greatest hits of the legendary hitmaking group, Chicago was originally scheduled to headline a concert this June 16 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
But a tragic incident involving a crazed gunman who intended to rob the casino resort complex resulted in the deaths of 38 people including 13 Resorts World Manila employees as well as injury to several others.
In the wake of the incident, the band issued a statement where they confirmed that the concert will still push through but it will now be for the benefit of the families of those who perished in the incident.
But instead of the Newport Performing Arts Theater, the concert will now take place at the nearby Marriott Grand Ballroom.
“Our prayers are with you and we hope that this will help you all in some way as you recover from the incident…To all Chicago fans in the Philippines, see you at the benefit concert on Friday,” the group said in their statement.
Resorts World Manila earlier promised to extend “financial assistance to the victims and their families to address their immediate needs.”
“On top of the funeral and burial assistance that Resorts World Manila will shoulder, we are extending PHP 1 million to the families of the deceased. Nothing can ever replace the lives of our loved ones…we all lost so many lives because of a senseless act. With this financial assistance, we hope that we will be able to somehow help each family hurdle through their needs during this most difficult time,” the company said in its June 3 statement.
What sets Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience apart from other tribute bands is that is fronted by Kenny Cetera, younger brother of Chicago founding member Peter Cetera, who sang lead on most of Chicago’s greatest hits — including “25 or 6 to 4,” “Call on Me,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Baby What a Big Surprise,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Hard Habit to Break,” and “You’re The Inspiration.”
The younger Cetera in fact sung back-up vocals on Chicago’s million-selling “Chicago 17” album which produced the aforementioned last three hits. Kenny, who Peter describes as sounding just like him, has also recorded background vocals on Peter’s solo albums as well as on records of artists like David Foster, Julio Iglesias and former Abba singer Agnetha Faltskog.
In addition to Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience, Kenny is also a member of The Long Run-Experience The Eagles, a tribute band dedicated to performing the music of The Eagles.
“Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience Live” at the Marriott Grand Ballroom is presented by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Steve O’Neal Productions. For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.
