Island Lake Concert on March 28 to Support Mental Health Awareness
The Generations, a Chicago-based band founded by musician and philanthropist Rob Stepen, will host a charity performance at Sideouts Sports Tavern in Island Lake on Friday, March 28, to benefit NAMI Will-Grundy.
This event follows the October release of The Generations’ debut album, “Alternate View.” The album’s origins trace back to 1985, when Rob Stepen recorded two tracks but never had the means to listen to them due to not owning a reel-to-reel player. The tapes remained forgotten in his attic until 2023, when they were rediscovered and restored.
Beyond celebrating The Generations’ long-awaited musical journey, this event serves a greater cause, with all proceeds benefiting local nonprofits.
The event will take place from 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 W. Roberts Road, Island Lake, and will begin with an introduction to the charity from 7-7:30 p.m. with the Generations performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and are available at ticketweb.com/event/the-generations-with-big-boss-sideouts-sports-tavern-tickets/14247883. Those unable to attend the event can still support the cause by donating at namiwillgrundy.org/thegenerationsband. For more information, visit Sideouts Sports Tavern or follow The Generations on social media.
Founded in 2023 by Chicago musician and philanthropist Rob Stepen, The Generations blends nostalgic 80s rock with modern influences. Their debut album, “Alternate View,” released in October of 2024, is the product of Stepen’s journey through the 1980s Chicago rock scene. After recording two tracks in 1985, “Have You Seen My Heart” and “Your Way,” the tapes were lost for decades until being rediscovered in 2023. The tracks were restored by Steve Albini and Taylor Hales at Electrical Audio, mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service, and pressed at Jack White’s Third Man Records in Detroit. The album blends the energy of 1980s rock with a modern sensibility, creating a sound that resonates with both nostalgic and contemporary audiences. The band’s current lineup includes Rob Stepen (rhythm guitar), Dave Jones (bass), Adam Grais (drums), Gary Jacklin (lead guitarist), Janet Jones (keyboardist and vocals), Emi Fukuda (vocals) and Erika Miner (vocals). For more info about The Generations, performance dates, or to purchase the album, visit RobStepenMusic.com.
NAMI Will-Grundy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Joliet, and a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grass-roots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Will-Grundy’s mission is to provide education, support, advocacy and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental health conditions can build better lives. NAMI Will-Grundy offers all services at no cost to anyone in the community regardless of where they live.