Backstage with Ron Onesti

“God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood concert to salute veterans at THE ARCADA THEATRE   ST. CHARLES, ILL.:    The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois has announced what should prove to be an historic live concert event, “Proud to be an…

Ron Onesti:  Memories of a Soft-Spoken Hollywood Heavyweight As a proud Italian American, it is challenging to support television shows and films that perpetuate the stereotypes about Italians and Italian Americans being associated with the Mafia.  The reality was that fewer…

Ron Onesti:  Accordions, Watermelons and Comedy Icons For the most part, my place in the entertainment biz is surrounded by music.  From Jazz-Age, Prohibition-Era tunes to the Big Bands of the 1940s, Doo Wop of the 1950s to the Psychadelics and…

Ron Onesti:  M&Ms USED to be my favorite candy! It’s been a whirlwind!!!  We have had soooo many shows recently, even more than normal!  Gladys Knight, Christopher Cross, Paul Anka, Tony Danza, Chazz Palminteri, Tony Orlando and John Waite were among…

Ron Onesti: Tony Orlando and Ron So many people say to me, “Boy, I wish I had YOUR job!”  They see me on stage before a show at The Arcada or Des Plaines Theatres, mingling with celebs, and loving the music. …

Ron Onesti:  The Diceman Cameth and Went His comedy is brash, some have referred to it as downright vulgar.  Since the late 1980s, he has been selling out performance after performance, from being the first comic to sell out two consecutive…

Ron Onesti:  Our “Show-Biz Palace” at 96 September 6, 1926, The Arcada Theatre first opened its doors, marking this past September its 96th birthday.  And, I am celebrating a personal milestone as it has been eighteen years now since I…

Backstage with The Arcada Theatre’s Ron Onesti Not a UFO sighting, just Schenker doing his thing This past week we had two crazy-sold out shows with the legendary former guitarist from iconic rock bands The Scorpions and UFO, German-born Michael…

Ron Onesti:  Billy is still THE “Top” in Rock and Roll Legends and icons-how lucky am I to be able to host these megastars at The Arcada Theatre who have helped shape popular culture, especially that of my own formative years? …

Ron Onesti: Where have all the Ballrooms gone? This is a reprint of a column from days gone by.  I just happened upon a friend who brought up another old friend who had passed away a awhile ago.  His name was…

Backstage with The Arcada Theatre’s Ron Onesti: “Old” music is still the music of today, thank goodness! I tend to be a pretty emotional person, especially as I get older.  The mere mention of my folks chokes me up.  These Tik-Toks…

Ron Onesti:  George Thorogood, really “Good” to the bone! This guy is one of those legends who can be unpredictable, from what those who worked with him in the past would say.  I have had him several times over the years,…