Auditorium Theatre

“Hey Tonight” started the XRT Holiday Concert for the Kids on Saturday and it signaled a joyous romp through one of rock’s best catalogues. John Fogerty. looking trim in basic black (with hair to match,) led a crack six piece band (including a violinist and ace drummer Kenny Aronoff) through their paces on most of the Creedence top forty hits and some tasty album cuts as well. John was in fine voice and demonstrated that he is still flash on the guitar(he’s taken some lessons recently,) doing everything from ultrafast Jeff Beck shredding on “Ramble Tamble” to snaky psychedelic blues rock for “Suzie Q” and even some twangy Telecaster runs on the country flavored tracks. All played on an amazing collection of mint vintage guitars, including a Louisville slugger six string for his baseball anthem “Centerfield”. The John Denver, Ricky Nelson and Everly Brothers covers from his latest album seemed a little out of place but were impeccably played and. on the charity front, there was a good count of children’s winter wear for the Merlin’s 200,000 Mile Shops’ Snug Hugs for Kids warm clothing drive brought in by generous XRT listeners. The sound was crisp and clean reminding everyone there that the Auditorium Theatre is a Chicago treasure.