Al Green Sizzles As 2025 Tour Kicks Off In Chicago

“I can’t stop, I just can’t stop!” sang soul icon Al Green, 79, enthusiastically and appropriately at the top of a set Saturday night just outside Chicago. “No, I can’t stop. No, no, no!”

Green’s contributions to recorded music are staggering. One of the all-time great soul singers, Green took to the stage at Ravinia in Highland Park, Illinois for his first performance of 2025, a rare opportunity to catch a living legend live on stage during a run set to continue July 12, 2025 in Durant, Oklahoma and September 21 in Hollywood, Florida ahead of a pair of appearances in California this October.

“On behalf of the O’Jays organization, we’d like to say thank you to each and every one of you,” said original O’Jays singer Walter Williams at the end of a terrific 75 minute opening set. “Enjoy Al Green!”

Numbering 18 musicians, The O’Jays were a joy to behold on a rare mild evening during an otherwise sweltering summer in the Windy City.

Williams was joined on stage by singer Eric Nolan Grant, who’s been in the fold now for three decades, and powerhouse vocalist Nicholas Davis, who takes over for lead vocalist Eddie Levert (who’s been largely sidelined since contracting COVID in 2022).

“Every now and then, you’ve got to be thankful,” Williams, 81, explained on stage at Ravinia.

“We are very thankful,” Grant agreed. “We’ve been through a lot of tribulations. Eddie caught COVID and it compromised his respiratory system. But we’re still hanging in there with him. That’s our brother for life,” said Grant, becoming emotional during the look back. “Walter too. Look, we almost lost him. But God is good,” said the singer matter-of-factly, turning to his right as he recalled Williams’ fight with the contagious disease (one which left Williams in a diabetic coma, on dialysis and near death). “Excuse me if I get choked up – but I couldn’t fancy being without this band,” Grant continued, pausing as tears began to flow while highlighting the still heightened risk many face in the wake of pandemic. “This is my partner for life,” said the singer as Williams, Davis and a pair of backing singers began offering up “Stairway to Heaven.”

The hits started early as The O’Jays worked up “Back Stabbers” on stage Saturday with the core three members soon throwing down a patented spin during “I Love Music.”

Williams, Grant and Davis turned right as they shook, offering up an anthem for the times. “People don’t care who they hurt or beat, for the love of money,” sang The O’Jays during a poignant delivery of “For the Love of Money.”

“All aboard!” shouted Williams as The O’Jays chugged toward finish with “Love Train.”

“I love you, Chicago!” said Green on stage early in a one hour set, setting up “Everything is Gonna be Alright.” “I had a lot of time thinkin’ about you,” he mused. “And I made babies thinkin’ ‘bout you!”

Synths and Hammond B-3 organ rang in the song as horns cut through, with Green’s band of 13 – including a trio of backing singers, dueling percussionists and a three piece horn section – continuing to swell.

The Reverend Al Green, who famously became an ordained Baptist minister in 1976, is pastor of the Memphis, Tennessee-based Full Gospel Tabernacle and took the Chicago faithful to church Saturday night.

“Did you all know I’m a preacher?” he asked on stage at Ravinia. “I been preaching 49 years!” said Green, treating the audience to a show stopping rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Between 1971 and 1974 alone, Green released a whopping eight gold singles, ultimately selling more than 20 million albums. Amongst them, 1972’s “Let’s Stay Together” remains arguably his most enduring hit, with the soul singer working it up midway through Saturday night’s set in between a pair of covers (Kris Kristofferson’s “For the Good Times” and “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” by the Bee Gees). “Oh, you know it too!” marveled the singer in recognition of the crowd’s all hands sing-along.

Green chopped energetically with his right hand, punching his fist while gesturing with his left as the horn section took center stage during “Take me to the River,” conducting the ensemble with absolute precision. “That’s good, that’s good,” he said, stopping the band on a dime.

While he appeared slightly winded at times, Green was nevertheless in fine and powerful voice throughout, not a backing track in sight.

Sitting down for a moment during a medley, Green and company worked their way through a refresher course in both Motown and soul, putting their spin upon Otis Redding (“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”), The Four Tops (“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”) and the Temptations (“My Girl”).

“I know it’s late,” said Green, sneaking a peek at his watch. “But I ain’t ready to go home!” he continued, preaching now to rapturous applause. “It’s feelin’ good!”

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Backing singers and organ drove an extended take on “Love and Happiness” as the band got the crowd clapping along, jamming out an extended outro as Green brought the saxophone, trombone and trumpet players to the foot of the stage before exiting stage right as the tight ensemble continued to cook.

“I came out here to have a good time,” said Al Green Saturday on stage outside Chicago. “I didn’t come out here to die!” he continued. “I came to live.”