Gallery: Big-time performers who rocked Lake Geneva area
You might not believe who had gigs in and around Lake Geneva, or where they played.
Stevie Wonder
When he was 19, R&B legend Stevie Wonder performed at the Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva.
Jazz & more at 'The Pier'
Once known as The Pier, Lake Geneva’s Riviera Ballroom hosted performances by legends in jazz and R&B.
Cheap Trick
In 1994, Cheap Trick played the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. Then, in 1998, they performed at Burlington’s ChocolateFest.
The Monkees
The Monkees — (from left) Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork — played in and around the Lake Geneva area more than once.
A popular Midwestern venue
Majestic Bandstand was part of Majestic Hills in the town of Linn, where the Stevie Wonder, the Monkees, R.E.O. Speedwagon and others once performed.
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 1
A page of the concert schedule for the Majestic Bandstand, where big-name artists once performed.
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 2
Imagine seeing these musicians, in their heyday, at these prices.
Janis Joplin
On Aug. 31, 1969, Janis Joplin was listed as “tentative” on the concert schedule at the Majestic Bandstand. But she played a festival in Texas on Aug. 30.
Monkees, Association & Herman's Hermits
The Monkees, The Association and Herman’s Hermits all performed at the Playboy Club, which is now Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, in the town of Lyons.
The Beach Boys
From the 1960s on through the 2000s, the Beach Boys played throughout the Lake Geneva area. Pictured here are (from left) Al Jardine, Mike Love, David Marks and Bruce Johnston.
Classic rock & country artists in Williams Bay
The Beach Boys performed at George Williams College, in Williams Bay, as did the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Loggins and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Steve Targo
Special Sections Coordinator
What do Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys and The Monkees have in common? They all played in or near Lake Geneva more than once.
Winterfest started small but with plenty of support back in its early years.
WHITEWATER — On Feb. 1, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will be presenting a gallery exhibition of work by Mark Lawrence McPhail.
The Big Foot/Williams Bay wrestling co-op wrapped up its regular season with a road trip to Whitewater where the ChiefDogs were walloped by th…
In the final meet of the regular season, the Badger wrestling team traveled to Franklin on Jan. 21 for a triangular meet against Franklin and …
Several events are set for Valentine's Day — plus a couple for Mardi Gras, too.
WALWORTH — Amid a trying year of closures and cancellations, there is one show that must go on — with some added safety precautions of course.
Ice fishing tournaments, tea time for elementary schoolers and live comedy are some of the highlights on the local event calendar this week.
The pandemic wiped the veteran performer's show schedule clean, but all that is changing with the vaccine rollout and loosening venue restrictions.
D'Lite Duo, Jeff Walski, the Big Al Wetzel Band and more are performing in the area this week.
WHITEWATER — The next virtual performance by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Theatre/Dance is a classic play by Sophocles.
East Troy Electric Railroad Museum has several events planned for 2021, including some new activities.
D'Lite Duo, Jeff Walski, the Big Al Wetzel Band and more are performing in the area this week.
Support Your Local Hip Hop Artists set for Geneva Theater. Other gigs include Mackenzie O'Brien, the N.E.W. Piano Guys and Evan & Tom Leahy.
In 2001, Murray was back on the green for "The Sweet Spot," a Comedy Central show in which he appeared alongside three of his brothers.
Wise Jennings is playing a public engagement party in town of Geneva, John "Ludy" Puleo's performing unplugged in Lake Geneva and much more.
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin will debut the video on its YouTube channel Sunday, April 18.
Jeff Walski, the Leftovers, Indigo Canyon, Glenn Davis and John "Ludy" Puleo all have gigs lined up in and around the Lake Geneva area.
Big Al Wetzel, Glenn Davis, Doug Sheen and more are playing around town this week.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
Spencer Spiewak describes their sound as "Yes meets Rush for a cup of coffee with ELO only to find the Beatles standing at the bar arguing with Journey."
The 2021 free concert series kicks off May 22 the Phoenix Park Bandshell.
Meet Chris Buttleman, bass player for the Amazing Farm Boys, music director for Bacon Fest and owner of the Lake Geneva House of Music.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
The number of live shows in the area is growing! Next week, catch Earthmother, Jeff Walski, the Big Al Wetzel Band and more.
The ever-growing gig list for the region includes Big Al Wetzel, Wise Jennings, Earthmother, Georgia Rae, Nicole Nystrom and more.
The ever-growing gig list for the region includes Big Al Wetzel, Wise Jennings, Earthmother, Georgia Rae, Nicole Nystrom and more.
Tributes to AC/DC, The Who, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and old school hip hop are on the ever-growing list of local gigs.
Big gigs: Tributes to AC/DC and The Who in town of Geneva, plus the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra has two outdoor concerts.
WILLIAMS BAY — Ticket sales go public Tuesday, June 22, for this year’s Music By The Lake concerts at George Williams College of Aurora University.
Twista, once named the fastest rapper by Guinness World Records, is performing this week in Lake Geneva.
There are several big gigs this week. What do they have in common? They're all outside.
Click here for the days and times of free park shows, a Toby Keith tribute, plus some of the live music at Country Thunder and Elkhorn Ribfest.
Click here for the days and times of free park shows, a Toby Keith tribute, plus some of the live music at Country Thunder and Elkhorn Ribfest.
The Honeygoats and Kayla Seeber have free concerts lined up in Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva.
Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra has two free concerts this weekend. Also: Casi Joy, Ludy & the Tunes and EDM at Lake Geneva House of Music.
Tony Ocean in Flat Iron Park, EDM Night at the Lake Geneva House of Music & much more.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
This week's big gigs: Venetian Festival and the first ever Lake Geneva Blues Fest.
The Bacon Brothers — featuring actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, an award-winning songwriter — are performing in Williams Bay.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
Every music legend has to start somewhere, and a stage on an open mic night is a good place to scout local talent.
Hear students from Lake Geneva House of Music, Cherry Pie and other artists at an 80s party in a Pleasant Prairie park.
Everyone from Ludy to Nightmare Hippie Children are performing in the Lake Geneva area.
From barbershop and German "schlager" — or pop — to blues, jazz and rock, there's a lot to hear live in the area this week.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
Musicians performing tributes to the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and Frankie Valli all have gigs coming soon.
Matt Meyer, Glenn Davis, the Big Al Wetzel Band and many more are performing throughout the area.
Karen Shook, Jeff Walski, Lunar Lizard and more have gigs soon.
Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, Shout Section Big Band, LUDY, Blue Rhythm, Miles Over Mountains and more have gigs in the region this week.
With info on upcoming gigs by Karen Shook, LUDY, Bodhicitta, Contact High, Johnny Lyons, Georgia Rae and more.
With info on upcoming gigs by Casi Joy, the Craig Baumann Duo, Jeff Walski, Kevin Kennedy and a new EDM night at Thumbs Up in Lake Geneva.
With info on upcoming gigs by Earthmother, Blame the Drummer, Christmas concerts at Belfry Music Theatre and a new EDM night in Lake Geneva.
With gigs by LUDY, Holton Band, Indigo Canyon, Jeff Trudell, Kevin Kennedy & more.
With gigs by Lara Bell, Jeff Trudell, Glenn Davis, the Big Al Wetzel Band & more.
Smooth Blues Band, Dog House Roses, Indigo Canyon, Judson Brown Duo & more have gigs on the way.
EAST TROY — Looks like some of the biggest concerts to hit Walworth County since the coronavirus pandemic are happening this summer at Alpine …
Karen Shook, Blue Rhythm Duo, Ivy Ford Band, Glenn Davis & more have gigs in the area.
Blues guitarist Lil' Ed, jam band Mungion, the N.E.W. Piano Guys and more have gigs in the area.
ELKHORN — A local theater group is looking for people to be in a musical using the songs of King of Rock and Roll.
EAST TROY — Two artists who are no strangers to Alpine Valley Music Theatre will perform at the outdoor music venue this year.
Live music is making a comeback at venues in the Lake Geneva area. East Troy’s Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Delavan’s Belfry Music Theatre and…
Tributes to The Doors, Lady Gaga & ABBA, plus Karen Shook, Joe Marcinek Band and more have gigs in the area.
Lake Geneva House of Music is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free event, including a Grateful Dead tribute act and more.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net. Artist names below in bold.
DELAVAN — Actor, singer, and songwriter Peter Oyloe will perform an acoustic concert to benefit the preservation of a historic building Saturd…
RACINE — The Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., has announced the lineup for the 35th annual Animal Crackers Concert Series in 2022. Performers and dates are:
Some of the big gigs include Knotfest Roadshow with Slipknot & Cypress Hill, River Valley Rangers, a Beatles tribute and more.
Gigs include Slipknot, Cypress Hill and more at Knotfest Roadshow, and Monsters of Rock Tribute '84, with the music of Van Halen, AC/DC & Mötley Crüe.
Big gigs: Monsters of Rock '84, Geneva Jam and Feed Your Head festivals, plus a free show by 7th Heaven in Delavan & much, much more.
Only two things can improve a concert — having it outdoors and not being charged for admission.
Big gigs: Geneva Jam, Feed Your Head Festival, Ivy Ford, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Tribute & more.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net. Artist names below in bold.
Chicago singer and entertainer Tony Ocean has announced his Wisconsin summer schedule, with more dates and venues than ever.
WILLIAMS BAY — After a long pandemic break, the Geneva Lake Chorus resumes its rehearsals Tuesdays from 4:30–5:30 p.m. through July 26.
Upcoming gigs: Dave Matthews Band, Rage Against The Machine & a free show by the Ivy Ford Band in Lake Geneva.
The following information is subject to change. To list an upcoming gig here, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net. Artist names below in bold.
Jimmy Buffett is back! So is Country Thunder, which is sold out. But there are free park shows in Lake Geneva and Delavan & much more music in the area.
The following information is subject to change. Tickets may be sold out by the time you read this. Artist names below in bold.
Air Supply in Williams Bay, Wise Jennings in Lake Geneva, a Journey tribute, and soon, Phish!
Big gigs: Phish at Alpine Valley, Wise Jennings and Good Morning Bedlam in Flat Iron Park & much more.
Dirty Canteen, the Big Al Wetzel Band, Bella Cain and more are playing the Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Fest this week.
The Walworth County Fair is bringing lots of live music into the area soon, including country singers John Turner and Phil Vassar and rock band Halestorm.
