I can't say this for many people but for Chris Issak it' s undeniably true and right. The man is an icon whether he wants to be or not. From movies and starring in a John Waters original movie and not any family friendly musical to actually saying that he was also in Silence of the Lambs in the walk on role as one of the FBI looking for Hannibal when he makes his escape from jail, to his own series on cable Chris Issak can do it all. Not to mention his hipness factor whereas cool bands like HIM have covered his Wicked Game and Stone Sour and other bands have delved into a little Wicked Game licks in their shows. The concert stage is where Chris does his best work. So I was surprised when he was the opener for Stevie Nicks this last Friday (June 9)on Chicago's Northerly Island, an idyllic open air concert right off of Lake Michigan that offers fabulous views of Chicago and on a warm nite is a great place to hear someone you really like. And I really like Chris Issak. So I was a bit surprised and more than a little peeved when upon entering the venue before the appointed concert time of 8:00, I heard the strains of Let's have a Party one of my favorite Chris Issak songs so after a quick stop to purchase a Chris t-shirt we made our way to our seats only to make our way to the front of the stage and even closer when Chris asked everyone to stand and get closer. I happily stood for his show. Not only a singer but Chris Issak is Mr. Entertainer with sly sexy wink wink jokes and a little bump and grind much to the female audiences delight and moi of course. Chris always likes to look flashy on stage and for most of the nite when he wore a bright Canary yellow suit as only he can get away with. Pushing a little more than 50+ the guy looks like his in his early 30's so I'm betting he has some Dorian Grey portrait hidden somewhere or he's seriously into some clean livin. Most of the rock stars I emulate should look half as good at his age or even be alive. If you ever listened to any of Chris' music and there is a huge songbook of excellent cd's to choose from (I myself have podded every song he's ever done) Chris's live voice is exactly what you hear on the cd. Clear and pure and for such a happy go lucky concert presence he does have some lonely heartbreaking songs like of course Wicked Game, Blue Hotel as well as some down and dirty ones like Baby did a bad bad thing, which made its mark in the last Stanley Kubrick movie Eyes Wide Shut. On this number hot to trot ladies from the audience are invited to come up and dance on stage (and no not me!) and while they do their best to catch his attention Chris is all about the music on stage. And suits as well. During a quick intermission when he left the stage and we had to put up with a stagehand who came dressed as a Mexican wrestler (huh?!) and came out resplendent in a mirror ball suit. Only Chris Isaak can get away with wearing a suit like that. The only bummer is that he is now leaving out one of my fave fun songs Diddly Daddy and has put Bad thing in its place. I say bring back my Daddy song! Chris left the stage that nite promising to return to Chicago for a House of Blues stay (he's been known to sell out 3 nites). I know I'll be there as I have since the 90's to see him. As for buying a t-shirt here's a hot tip. It's worth the $25 as first they are cool retro shirts and he will sign them at the end of the show. Well worth it! Picks for Chris's huge song repertoire? You can't go wrong with his greatest hits double CD with or without video or Heart Shaped World or his first tome Silvertone. Way kool Daddio! As for Stevie Nicks, she looked good, still has that gorgeous head of long blonde hair and sounded good with that distinctive reedy voice of hers. Every song she sang from Gold Dust Woman to Enchanted I said to myself hell I remember that one now. With here dramatic use of shawls and her own personal style of Victorian witch/gypsy I also kept thinking that why doesn't this woman if she hasn't already do her own designer wear? If JLo and Beyonce can thrust us with their bad fashion sense surely Stevie can do her own line and I'd be buying them. I dig the look! By the way her band was excellent and she must have to be great friends with the session man extraordinaire Waddy Wachtel to have him play lead guitar and be the musical director of her shows. This man is the go to guy for many recordings past and present.