Ravinia 2026 Issue 5

BY JAMES TURANO FOR SQUEEZE, it’s always been all or nothing. ¶ Squeeze is a rock band ordained with a rari ed prestige; the band’s longtime, loyal following believes Squeeze is among the best rock bands ever. And others have never heard of them. ¶ Such is the fate of a group that knows rsthand that rock stardom can be tempting, tenuous, and tricky, but still as rewarding as pulling mussels from the shell. ¶ Although mega-fame may have eluded these early purveyors of punk and warriors of new wave, the band’s unique mu- sical amalgam elevated them into a respected and in uential rock out t. ¶ Squeeze was formed more than years ago by the laureled songwriting partners Chris Di ord and Glenn Tilbrook (both are Ivor Novello Award winners, and Di ord also earned a Golden Globe nomination), who over time have penned an adventuresome catalogue lled with lyrical and melodic allusions worthy of Lennon and McCartney compar- isons. ¶ e band has navigated and survived a variety of core and eeting lineups since the mid-’ s, with alumni including original keyboardist Jools Holland (now host of the popular BBC music show, Later … with Jools Holland ) and his talented and versatile successor, Paul Carrack (Ace, Roxy Music, Mike + e Mechanics), who sang lead on the band’s chestnut “Tempted.” ¶ Now comprising Tilbrook (lead vocals, guitar), Di ord (guitar), Stephen Large (keyboards), Simon Hanson (drums), Steve Smith (percussion), Melvin Du y (pedal steel guitar), Owen Biddle (bass), and Danica Dora (backing vocals), Squeeze brings its “Tried, Tested, and Trixies” tour to Ravinia Festival on September . It promises a driving dose of pop, punk, and new wave nostalgia, plus music from the band’s rst album in eight years, Trixies . RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 11