Ravinia 2026 Issue 5

now? I don’t dwell on it—we’ve had a long career, and that’s enough. Concerning your latest album, Trixies , what musical abilities were you lacking as teenagers that now you felt you had attained to finally bring it to life? It started as youthful ambition out- running ability. We had a big idea but not the experience or tools to realize it. Over time we learned about writing, editing, arranging, and that less is often more. Trixies finally worked because we stopped trying to impress anyone and focused on the songs. Some ideas just take 50 years to mature. Why is Squeeze still revered and respected by its peers and its loyal fans more than 50 years later? We’ve always tried to put the songs first. Fashion fades, but if people connect with a lyric or a character, the songs can last. We’ve never tried to be cooler than we are, and we’ve never stopped writing. Audiences value honesty, and musicians value good songs. If we’ve earned respect, it’s by turning up and doing the work. Which of your songs do you look forward to playing and performing every show? It changes, but “Up the Junction” is al- ways special because the audience sings most of it. I also enjoy the newer songs— it shows we’re still making records, not just living in the past. Every set is a con- versation between where we’ve been and where we’re going, and it’s good when old and new sit together naturally. And that mix of old and new suffuses the synergy of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook 50 years on and keeps them sounding freshly squeezed. James Turano is a freelance writer and a former entertainment editor, feature writer, and columnist for national and local magazines and newspapers. He has written official programs for eight Elton John tours since 2003 and is also a Chicago radio personality and host on WGN 720AM. RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 15 DEAN CHALKLEY