Band Concert Held Atop Restaurant Roof Amid Social Distancing

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — The local band Ed Hill & The Unusuals brought back a certain sense of normal, and classic hits from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, during a concert held on the roof of the more than 70-year-old Bridgeview restaurant Mama Luigi's while listeners enjoyed from their cars parked in the restaurant's back parking lot off Harlem Avenue and 75th Street Tuesday night.

"I figured people have been locked down long enough that they must be itching to get out and do something remotely normal again," said Ed Hill, an Evergreen Park native who is the lead singer and guitarist for the band.

The band performed the classic hits for the majority of a three-hour span, Hill did a guitar solo and concertgoers were served Mama Luigi's food at their cars parked in the lot. Most concertgoers were wearing masks and all were adhering to social distancing guidelines, authorities have said.

"The restaurant maintained social distancing," according to a statement from Bridgeview police. "Attendees remained in their cars, as requested, and food was ordered and delivered to each car."

Victoria Telerico, owner of the restaurant that's stood in the same location since 1948, said she went through the "proper channels," including the mayor and a state senator, to be assured the concert would be able to go off under the necessary standards to not risk the spread of the new coronavirus.

"The overwhelming response I got was 'thank you,'," Telerico said on Wednesday. "There was so much gratitude in the parking lot. People were so thankful to be out doing something. To feel like it was normal life again."

All attendees were checked at the entrance to the parking lot.

"It was explained to everyone what the requirements were for social distancing rules," Telerico said.

Police said they were "satisfied with how the concert was conducted" and "feel that any complaints may be exaggerated or based on people who passed by and were not participating."

"The village feels there was enough room and that everyone adhered to the social distancing safety guidelines."

Not only were social distancing guidelines met by the live music event, Telerico said the crowd was a particularly tidy one.

"It's usually a mess after something like this in the parking lot... but last night there was not a thing to pick up," she said. "People were so courteous. It was just a very happy, joyful and pleasant event."

And as for the band on the roof:

"Ed is as good as it gets," Telerico said.

Watch some of the concert below: