The End Is Here!

[Pep]

I started a group in Sept of 2009. It was originally a one-time throw-together class reunion band, but evolved into a Chicago Tribute Band that was very successful.

We had 3 gigs scheduled for this year but were trying to overcome some obstacles. The guitar player has been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and his ability to remember much of anything has declined drastically in the past 30 days. Add to that two new members, one of which treated this as a cover band, and we have a recipe for disaster.

We were scheduled to play “Abbey Road on the River” on May 25th. It the largest Beatle Festival in the world and we’ve been a regular attraction every year since 2018.

We decided that a gig we had last Friday would be a test as to how ready we were to play the festival. Let’s just say we found out we were no where close to being ready so we chosen to cancel rather than compromise that performance.

With life changes, health issues, scheduling conflicts, age and new members who didn’t really “buy in”, we chose to shut it down. No final performance, no fanfare, nothing.

It’s kinda sad but it’s time. We had a 16-1/2 year run which is unheard of with most bands and lots of great memories. It’s time to move on to something new.

LOUISVILLE BRASS & ELECTRIC

 

[Oddly]

A good run indeed. Sorry it's over but it sounds like a project you can look back fondly and proudly on.

 

[sonic boogaloo]

all the best in your future endeavours.

it sounds like you pulled the plug at just the right moment.

 

[Pep]

A few more photos:

 

[joeLowB]

Wise move. There is a life span to any group.

Be grateful for a terrific run!

My best to your declining bandmate... that's a difficult journey for him.

.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

That was a great run for a band at 16 1/2 years.

Looks like a lot of fun, best of luck in whatever comes next.

 

[HolmeBass]

That is a great run, especially for a band of that size! It’s tough to pull the plug, but going out on a high note is the best way to go out.

 

[mambo4]

Lasted longer than the Beatles

 

[lowfreqman]

Proud of you for keeping a band functional at that high of a level for that many years. Very impressive and something in which to take immense pride.

 

[mikecd1]

Congratulations on a great run and kudos for knowing when to hang it up. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun with it! What is that blue bass with the white pick guard in the first photo?

 

[57pbass]

Best of luck to you.. that was an amazing run.. keeping a band together is a challenge.

I’m curious about this comment.. since you were doing covers.

“Add to that two new members, one of which treated this as a cover band, and we have a recipe
for disaster”.

 

[Low Main]

It's great when a semi-casual one-off develops into a wonderful run like the one you've had.

 

[Substrate]

@Pep Sorry you've reached the end of that particular road. But it sounds like it was a great journey, and one that few of us are fortunate enough to have. I'd bet you'll find another project soon that will engage your interest.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

All things must pass ........

 

[roccobass]

Congrats on the great run. It is on the somber note about your guitarist. That’s a real bummer. I feel for him. Good luck on your new endeavors.

 

[sonic boogaloo]

What is that blue bass with the white pick guard in the first photo?

looks like a stu hamm...

 

[BassBrass]

Up here (NE) we Do have Chicago fanatics. Is that what you meant by not a cover band? (because it's either original or cover) It's too bad that bit of history is getting lost. I expect the non fanatic wasn't in the horn section. As a high school trumpet player we did a few numbers in stage band and I can still play the solo in Make Me Smile, use it as a warmup etude...(goes up to C# briefly) but I despise Color my World. it's always out of tune... I notice a few trombone players in your photos and one compact, sturdy trumpet player, and the sax player seems to have gone through changes too...

 

[Nuisance]

That was a great run brother.......I'm sure you made some great memories.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Wow. If you were in a Chicago tribute band then you have skills! My heyday was back in the 1980's and I was fortunate to have a wife that put together two albums of memories for me during our run. Newspaper articles, photos and all that. We had a good nine year run and I was the stick in the mud that put an end to it. I had a new baby son and decided that I had to remove myself from the nightclubs. But now some forty years later I do enjoy breaking out the memory books and listening to the old cassette tape (yeah that was all we had)..... And I still enjoy the memories almost as much as I did when I was making them.

 

[maxmerx]

It's sad in a certain way, but I imagine you have a lot of great memories from this period. 16 and 1/2 years is a lot of time, I suppose you have strong relationship with all the band members.
Any new musical project in mind?