Phyllis Klein. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
Entertainment TV and radio host Phyllis Klein —”Front Row Phyllis”— provides a look behind-the-scenes with some of the country’s top music artists, concerts, and festivals throughout Chicagoland. Her interview roster includes Imagine Dragons, Fitz and the Tantrums, Foo Fighters, Alessia Cara, Bon Jovi, and many more. While regularly featured on FOX TV and WGN Radio, her platform covers the liveliest happenings, reaching millions of viewers and listeners around the country. Here are this music maven’s city and shore favorites.
What’s on the horizon? The festival and outdoor concert season. I’m covering Chicago’s country scene at Lake Shake and Windy City Smoke Out and serving as a brand ambassador for Celebrate Highwood’s big events
Mantra? Listen to your voice in your head and your heart
Best grooming tip? Mascara, lipstick and a great foundation
Guilty pleasure? Cookies and penny candy
Favorite foods? Green juice from Joe and the Juice—my healthy treat! Pasta with marinara sauce
Music you love? All genres
Best advice ever given to you? The world is your oyster and you can do anything
Best advice you’ve given? Be true to yourself
Earliest memory? My grandmother saying “you can be anything as long as you work hard”
When you wake up, you…? Take out my three dogs—it gives me peace and clarity before my hectic day
Before bed, you…? Kiss my kids
What’s on your bookshelf? Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers and Elin Hilderbrand’s Beautiful Day
You can’t live without? Music, earpods, and Cool Mint breath strips
Love to escape to? Anywhere with sunshine, water, and warm temperatures
Advice you would give to your younger self? Just breathe and it will all work out
ON THE SHORE
Your style is…? Great pair of cowboy boots and jeans
Can’t leave the house without? Ray Ban sunglasses
Driving music? A mixture of Country, Pop, and Latin in the morning and later in the day, Broadway musicals
Place to eat? ArivvaDolce, Slyce, and Hole in the Wall
Best thing about the Shore? The beauty and serenity, people, Ravinia, and Chicago Botanic Garden
Worst thing about the Shore? The restaurants close too early
The perfect day is…? Great workout, cooking a wonderful meal, and hanging out with my family and dogs
IN THE CITY
Your style is…? A fabulous fitted dress and high boots
Can’t leave the house without? Earpods and sunglasses
Driving music? My Spotify playlist
Place to eat? Beatrix, RL’s, and The Langham
Shop? Michigan Avenue and Wicker Park
Best thing about the City? Music, we have some of the best venues in the country
Worst thing about the City? Summertime smells
The perfect day is…? Running on the beach, stopping for a juice, meeting friends for lunch, and stopping by Lincoln Park Zoo
