“I can’t stop, I just can’t stop!” sang soul icon Al Green, 79, enthusiastically and appropriately at the top of a set Saturday night just outside Chicago. “No, I can’t stop. No, no, no!”

Green’s contributions to recorded music are staggering. One of the all-time great soul singers, Green took to the stage at Ravinia in Highland Park, Illinois for his first performance of 2025, a rare opportunity to catch a living legend live on stage during a run set to continue July 12, 2025 in Durant, Oklahoma and September 21 in Hollywood, Florida ahead of a pair of appearances in California this October.

“On behalf of the O’Jays organization, we’d like to say thank you to each and every one of you,” said original O’Jays singer Walter Williams at the end of a terrific 75 minute opening set. “Enjoy Al Green!”

Numbering 18 musicians, The O’Jays were a joy to behold on a rare mild evening during an otherwise sweltering summer in the Windy City.

Williams was joined on stage by singer Eric Nolan Grant, who’s been in the fold now for three decades, and powerhouse vocalist Nicholas Davis, who takes over for lead vocalist Eddie Levert (who’s been largely sidelined since contracting COVID in 2022).

“Every now and then, you’ve got to be thankful,” Williams, 81, explained on stage at Ravinia.

“We are very thankful,” Grant agreed. “We’ve been through a lot of tribulations. Eddie caught COVID and it compromised his respiratory system. But we’re still hanging in there with him. That’s our brother for life,” said Grant, becoming emotional during the look back. “Walter too. Look, we almost lost him. But God is good,” said the singer matter-of-factly, turning to his right as he recalled Williams’ fight with the contagious disease (one which left Williams in a diabetic coma, on dialysis and near death). “Excuse me if I get choked up - but I couldn’t fancy being without this band,” Grant continued, pausing as tears began to flow while highlighting the still heightened risk many face in the wake of pandemic. “This is my partner for life,” said the singer as Williams, Davis and a pair of backing singers began offering up “Stairway to Heaven.”