Tedeschi Trucks Band Welcomes Leon Russell In Chicago

One of the inspirations behind Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s decision to form the massive Tedeschi Trucks Band was Joe Cocker’s equally massive Mad Dogs & Englishmen ensemble. The legendary troupe, which accompanied Cocker on the 1970 tour of the same name, was put together by Leon Russell, who sat-in with the TTB on Friday night at the historic Chicago Theatre.

Friday’s performance was the first of two sold-out shows at the famed Windy City venue. The Tedeschi Trucks Band also played a set on Saturday afternoon at the intimate Reggie’s Music Joint for radio station WXRT. Russell emerged towards the beginning of TTB’s Friday night set for takes on The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Darlin’ Be Home Soon” and Titus Turner’s “Sticks & Stones,” two songs Russell played regularly during Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour. Leon Russell had previously sat-in with the group, special guests and other Mad Dogs alums back in September at the 2015 Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, Virginia. Saturday’s gig was the rare TTB show that featured two sets.

If you missed Saturday’s XRT webcast from Reggie’s, we’ve got you covered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBQz7x7XCD0

Set: Don’t Know What It Means, The Letter, I Want More, Let Me Get By, Anyhow My Lord, Anyhow

Check out the setlists from both TTB shows at the Chicago Theatre: