Last Friday night was the 43rd anniversary of when John Lennon was murdered in New York City.

Back in 1980, two weeks after everyone had read the news, oh boy, local musicians gathered for a charitable concert at the Second Chance Nightclub right here in Peoria, Illinois. The musical event was spear-headed and organized by musician and record store owner, Craig Moore.

This year things have come full circle and last Friday, on that aforementioned anniversary another charitable concert was held at the 3300 Event Center, the building formerly known as Second Chance. This musical event was spear-headed and organized by musician and record store owner, Craig Moore.

Some thing’s never change and in this case, that’s a very good thing. Let’s go enjoy this day in the life. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Here we are at 3300 Event Center, the former home of Second Chance Nightclub.

Wow, check out the line to get in here, lots of people are here for this event!

This is a charitable event and all of the proceeds are going to the Dream Factory.

Always love to see the old Second Chance sign in here and there’s programs for tonight’s tribute to John Lennon.

There’s the poster for tonight’s show and I always love looking around in here as so much still looks the same as the old Second Chance days in here. Memories!

I took some photos of some of the smiling faces that showed up for tonight’s concert, thanks to all of them for posing for the MBIP Camera!

There’s the stage and I settled in at my reserved table for the show. We’re table number twelve! Okay, let the show begin!

Here’s the host and aforementioned man who’s responsible for putting this show together, musician and owner of Younger Than Yesterday Records, Craig Moore, welcoming everyone to tonight’s show.

Rick Halberg was the evening’s first speakeer and a Peoria and Central Illinois broadcaster who told of his first night’s shift at local radio station WWCT the night that John Lennon was shot back in December of 1980. What a way to start a broadcasting career!

He then introduced the first musical act of the evening, Chris Delbridge & Hindsight.

Next up was Cousin Eddie who put on a great rocking set!

After that The Glass Onion Society entertained the crowd with a lively and entertaining set of music.

The Whiskey Trust was the next band on the bill and they sounded absolutely fabulous. They were joined with a special guest star, singer Natalie Bashusen.

The Whiskey Trust never fails to disappoint and this was a fantastic set!

Natalie Bashusen had a solo set afterwards accompanied by Chris Delbridge on keyboards.

What a wonderful performance!

Next up were The Flying D’rito Brothers who were joined with The Plastic Ono Chorus in their set.

This is such a fabulous show and what an entertaining evening!

Craig then welcomed journalist and writer, Bill Knight who shared stories with Rick Halberg about how the death of John Lennon affected him while being the editor of the local paper, The Prairie Sun.

Then a brief intermission happened.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program featuring The Long And Winding Road Cast And Special Guest Stars!

After the intermission we were treated to a long set from The Long and Winding Road Cast & Special Guest Stars.

This featured host Craig Moore killing it with two John Lennon songs, Mother and Cold Turkey and featured a score of local talented musicians that are pictured here.

Here’s some photos from part one of this set!

Here’s more photos from part two of this incredible performance with so much local talent!

The Nikbeats played a wonderful and entertaining set next on the bill.

The final act of the night just simply nailed it.

This is Randy Nelson’s Lennon Experience with Randy on lead guitar and Jeff Hyde on lead vocals. There were also special guest stars just shredding the stage for a spectacular end of the night performance!

Bravo to a fantastic finale to this fabulous show!