Tag: J. R. Richards

She’s Got a Ticket to ride: Our music critic goes on the road

Jae-Ha Kim

There isn’t a rock fan out there who hasn’t fantasized about hanging with his or her favorite band for a few days. So when I was offered the opportunity to hit the road with Dishwalla, who are on tour with the Refreshments and Tonic, I said, “Yes!” I didn’t think it was going to be 100 percent fun all the time, but I also knew that thanks to the unions that regulate such things, I wouldn’t be allowed to lift any heavy objects. Heck. That’s a better deal than the MTV contest winner whose prize was to be a roadie for Bruce Springsteen.

Goo Goo Dolls give Taste a big finish

Jae-Ha Kim

The Goo Goo Dolls skyrocketed to stardom last year on the strength of their bittersweet ballad “Name.” The difference between the Goo Goo Dolls and most rock bands, though, is that guitarist Johnny Rzeznik has a voice that’s consistently alluring live, whether he’s singing a searing rendition of the Plimsouls’ “Million Miles Away” or conveying the chaos of “Long Way Down.”

The final course – Dishwalla closes out Taste of Chicago

Jae-Ha Kim

J.R. Richards quit college to be in a band. His parents weren’t disappointed. “I was a music major, and there’s not much you can do with that other than teach or conduct,” Richards said, calling from his record company’s Hollywood digs. “I couldn’t envision myself doing either.”