I have to preface this with the explanation that I live 2 blocks from Lincoln Park, an outdoor venue that has a ton of summer concerts each year. Many of them are acts from the "past", but it hasn't stopped me from buying season tickets, rarely have I been disappointed. I think word got around to the performers that it is a beautiful outdoor venue with duck ponds, blocks of trees/flowers/water pools with gorgeous fountaines, etc; and with really enthusiastic sold out audiences.
An interesting plus is I walk my dog over to the park in the afternoons just usually around the time the performers/artists road buses are pulling in. Since my dog is a really unusually strange looking "mutt", you never know who's going to be strolling around and stops and asks just what kind of dog it is. Last person to strike up a random conversation on their part was Peter Frampton, asking just what the heck kind of dog I have. Plus I show no direct intention of disturbing anybody, just me and the dog going about our business. Since it's an outdoor venue, afternoon rehearsal is there for anyone strolling by the large stage, although it is artistically fenced, it's there for anyone that wants to just observe.
Surprisingly the performer/s that really shocked the heck outta me was Ringo Starr and his Allstar Band last year. What a show, and Ringo himself was so much better than I would have ever imagined, and his Allstars, fantastic group of performers/musicians that most everyone older than 30 would know. EWF was a knockout as well, WOW.
Anyway, here's a list of performers I've seen, either in concert, or at Lincoln Park. It's a long one-
BSB, Beachboys(with most of the original brothers no longer alive), George Benson, Joe Cocker,Crosby/Stills/Nash, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Doobies (great show), David Sanborn, Dan Fogelberg, Peter Frampton, Kenny G, Al Green, Hall & Oates, Carole King, Keb Mo, Dave Kos, Kenny Loggins (Loggins & Messina will be here again this summer), John Mellencamp, Crosby/Stills/Nash, Willie Nelson, Robert Randolf, Billy Squire, Steely Dan, TransSiberian Orchestra, Ringo Starr and Allstar Band.
I saw the Commodores with Lionel Richie years ago live, great show. And saw James Brown back in the late 60's at the Lakeside Palladium here, little did I know then as a teenager just what a mark he would make in the music world.
Groups originally from my city include Lakeside and the fantastic Ohio Players, they set some serious standards in their time.
2 performances I still am waiting/hoping for are Michael McDonald and Ashford/Simpson.