Kimball, Cetera to rock Manila

MANILA, Philippines - In 2008, Rock legends Bobby Kimball (original lead singer of Toto) and Kenny Cetera (Chicago Experience) both performed and toured the Philippines and Asia separately. Bobby did 15 concerts in various Asian cities that included Manila, Beijing, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bali, Hong Kong, Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, while Kenny performed in Manila, Davao and Cebu. Last year, on the way to his major concert in Malaysia, Bobby stopped in the Philippines to perform in Tacloban, Cebu and Manila where celebrities and VIPs including US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas watched while Kenny toured the US with his band Chicago with some concerts that featured older brother and music superstar Peter as special guest.

For the very first time, Bobby and Kenny are collaborating and will be performing the hits of Toto and Chicago in one dinner concert on Oct. 9, 7 p.m. at Isla Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. Bobby is excited to perform with good-looking Kenny. He, in fact, canceled some bookings in Germany just for the tour with Kenny. Bobby, who was recently inducted in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, has never stopped touring the world as solo artist or with other rock greats like Jimi Jamison of Survivor, Bill Champlin who had a 28-year stint singer-keyboard player with Chicago and Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye of YES. “Performing with other rock legends fulfills my dreams,” confides Bobby. 

Bobby was vocalist and played keyboards occasionally with former band Toto which disbanded in 2008 after the Falling In Between Tour. Toto briefly reunited in February 2010 for a benefit concert for ailing former member Mike Porcaro and is rumored to reunite once again for its 35th anniversary next year. Bobby sang lead when Toto was in its peak and is featured in most of the classics including Hold The Line, Make Believe and Rosanna which were part of the six-time Grammy award winner including Record of the Year album TOTO IV in 1982.

Meanwhile in 1984, Kenny sang background vocals on several songs on Chicago’s 15th studio album called Chicago 17 together with original member older brother Peter who was the lead singer-bass player and songwriter. Chicago 17 was certified six-times platinum and won a Grammy. Chicago 17 contained several monster hits including Stay The Night, Hard Habit To Break and You’re The Inspiration. Record sales of the album surpassed all previous Chicago releases. Kenny subsequently joined the Chicago 17 tour playing drums, percussion, keyboards and singing background vocals. Peter and Kenny left Chicago a year later to both pursue solo careers. Kenny sang background vocals on a number of recordings by superstars like Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, the Pointer Sisters and on his brother Peter’s solo albums.

Bobby with US Ambassador Harry Thomas

The dinner concert will feature Kenny performing 25 or 6 to 4, You’re The Inspiration, Hard Habit To Break, Just You & Me, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is and other hits popularized by Chicago. Bobby will perform all-time Toto favorites like Africa, Rosanna, I’ll Be Over You, I Wont Hold You Back, Georgy Porgy, 99, Hold The Line and many more. Both artists will do duets at the finale. Backing Bobby and Kenny is the Zoo band. Tickets are now on sale at all SM Tickets outlets, Ticketworld, National Bookstores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons and the concierge at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

Rock Legends is presented by Steve O’Neal Productions and EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in collaboration with Hard Rock Café, Business Mirror, Lazer Music, Istanbul Cymbals, Taye Drums, IBC-13, iFM, Star Cruises, Resorts World Manila, MS for Men and RJ100.3 FM.