A modern-day orchestra that brings the world's greatest records to life, on stage—note for note, cut for cut.

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The performance will run approximately 110 minutes, with one intermission.

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Media Partner: Michigan Public

Do you remember listening to an entire album? The thrill of dropping the needle on the greatest music ever recorded? Classic Albums Live does.

Classic Albums Live (CAL) takes the greatest Classic Rock albums and recreates them live on stage—note for note, cut for cut.

“CAL are curators,” says founder Craig Martin, “These albums are historic and stand the test of time, and CAL honors these records and their fans by delivering performances that sound exactly like these records.”

To do this, CAL boasts an exceptional ensemble of performers, all of whom have graced music’s elite stages and collaborated with industry icons both in studio and on stage.

“CAL is a modern-day orchestra,” Martin emphasizes, “utilizing the highest-level players whose unique ability to focus and execute with precision is essential to authentically recreating these records.” All the focus is on the music; there’s no distracting costumes or bad impersonations.”

In 2023, CAL celebrated its 20th anniversary and expanded its repertoire to include over 45 different records and delivers more than 200 performances annually across North America.

Each CAL show offers two distinct experiences: a faithful rendition of the chosen record in the first half, followed by a dynamic set featuring the artist’s greatest hits. “We pay homage to the album in the first half, then let loose with the hits in the second,”explains Martin.

“These albums and artists hold sacred places in people’s hearts, and as fans ourselves, we aim to exceed expectations and deliver an unforgettable experience.

It’s this unwavering passion and dedication to authenticity that defines the very soul of CAL and resonates deeply with audiences.” —Craig Martin, founder of Classic Albums Live

The very first track of the album lets you know that heartache awaits. It’s not easy to fall apart, then sing about it, then have 25 million people buy it. It was therapy and it paid great. This is a tough album for us to perform; the vocals are tricky. There’s nuance and layering and thunder, and the guitars are orchestral.

Plus, the vibe of the album, the feel, is hard to recreate. I wanted the band to move into an apartment together to prepare for this album, but that didn’t fly, so we rehearsed tirelessly, and we got it.

“What’s cool about this record is that everyone knows all the words, even the ushers at the shows, so when CAL hits the stage and plays this masterpiece, it is joyous. We love you when we’re playing.” —Craig Martin, founder of Classic Albums Live