Published by: World Tibet Network News Saturday, September 20, 1997

Saturday September 20 2:13 AM EDT

By Dean Goodman

CHICAGO (Reuter) - One night after the Rolling Stones performed an impromptu concert at a tiny Chicago club, David Bowie Friday treated a few hundred fans to an exclusive "Blind Date" show in the city.

The 50-year-old rock'n'roll enigma was the mystery performer at a concert organized by Miller Genuine Draft, which brought in about 750 radio and bar promotion winners from around the country for the event.

Under the terms of the promotion, the identity of the performer was a closely kept secret until curtain time. The beer company had already held similar concerts in Los Angeles and San Francisco, which were headlined by modern rock stalwarts Bush and the Foo Fighters, respectively.

When Bowie took the stage of the Chicago's Vic theater and launched into his classic tune "The Jean Genie," the crowd erupted, its enthusiasm boosted by an open bar. He followed that with another oldie, "Panic in Detroit," before addressing the crowd:

"Welcome to our place. Got a few minutes? We've got some old songs and some young songs. Some you'll like, some you won't like."

Sure enough, he played a selection of tunes from his latest album "Earthling," an ambitious release whose "jungle"- influenced electronic sounds have provoked mixed reactions from fans and critics. Among the selections was "Seven Years in Tibet," "I'm Afraid of Americans" and "Looking For Satellites."

For fans, unaccustomed to his latest new direction, he rolled out a few oldies such as "Fashion," "Scary Monsters" and "Under Pressure," which he performed as a duet with bass player Gail Ann Dorsey. Guitarist Reeves Gabrels, wearing a kilt, keyboardist Mike Garson and drummer Zach Alford completed the lineup. Bowie and his band are currently on an arena tour of the United States.

Bowie wrapped the 80-minute set with an encore consisting of "Fame," "White Light, White Heat" and "All the Young Dudes."

His show marked the final "Miller Blind Date" promotion, but a company spokeswoman said Miller planned to repeat the exercise next year.