A Women’s History Month celebration the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 created in 2022 has returned.
The inaugural Women Who Rock took place on March 4, 2022, at Joliet’s The Forge. Now dubbed Women Who Rock Illinois, the second concert is on March 3 at Merrionette Park’s 115 Bourbon Street.
“At the museum we celebrate all music. March happens to be a celebration of women for Women’s History Month. We wanted to do something to celebrate that and promote that as well,” said Ron Romero, executive director and founder of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet.
“There are certain things we need to acknowledge every single year. That’s one of them. It gives an opportunity for some of the female-led or all-female bands. It brings some notoriety to the female rockers of Illinois.”
Jefferson Starship lead singer Cathy Richardson of Elmhurst headlines Women Who Rock Illinois.
“She’s been here. She knows about the museum. We’ve talked. I like her as a person. She’s a great performer. She’s a great entertainer and certainly one of the best voices from the area,” said Romero of Joliet.
Richardson’s performance includes an appearance by Anne Harris.
“Cathy was willing to work with us. She asked if she could bring in her friend, who is a blues violinist,” said Romero about booking Harris for Women Who Rock Illinois.
The show also features Serendipity, a suburban pop/rock band; Beyond the Blonde, a tribute to P!nk, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga; The PriSSillas; and Lindsay Kent with Gen FuZe.
Beyond the Blonde and Kent, a suburban singer/songwriter who is one of the instructors for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66’s Music Business course, also performed at the inaugural event.
“The music community tends to step up when you need them. They’re the first ones to step up when you need to fundraise for important causes,” said Romero, who noted that Serendipity also performed at Rockin’ for the Museum in May 2022 at Sundance Saloon in Mundelein.
“Once we start the working relationships with bands we tend to reach out to bands that are easy to work with and that are helpful. We can help each other out once in a while.”
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Hannah Brummer, morning show co-host on WSSR-FM (96.7) in Crest Hill and afternoon drive on WXLC-FM (102.3) in Gurnee, is Women Who Rock Illinois’ master of ceremonies and host.
“She’s a woman that’s important to have there. I think she’s going to be a good personality for us,” Romero said.
WERV-FM (95.9) in Aurora and Old National Bank sponsor Women Who Rock Illinois.
Romero said Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 has raised approximately $100,000 of the $350,000 needed to open the facility’s first phase in late spring when first-floor exhibits will feature the 2021 and 2022 Hall of Fame inductees.
Women Who Rock Illinois
When: 7 p.m. March 3
Where: 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park
Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at door
Information: 815-927-1540; roadtorock.org and search Menu, Let’s Rock, Events
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.