Chicago -
By richardnewman11
Caught up with legendary ’70s guitarist Rick Pettis at home on the West Side of Chicago. He’s played for big name groups like The Temptations, Four Tops, Rufus and many more. These days he shuns the limelight, preferring to teach and inspiring young artist, along with occasional surprise sit-in’s at local jazz clubs.
Posted on March 30, 2011
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. Volbeat at House of Blues on Sunday night.
Posted on March 28, 2011
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. A Day To Remember at the Congress on Thursday night.
Posted on March 25, 2011
By The Beachwood Pinetop Perkins Affairs Desk
Pinetop Perkins, 97, a blues pianist who worked with such legendary musicians as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and B.B. King, died March 21 at his home in Austin from cardiac arrest,” the Washington Post reports.
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The piece below appeared in the Beachwood on June 5, 2008.
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It’s Pinetop Perkins Week here in Chicago: the legendary blues pianist – about to turn 95 – played during lunch at the Chicago Cultural Center on Tuesday, performed on Chicago Tonight last night, and is on the bill at the Chicago Blues Festival today and at the House of Blues tonight. He also has a new record out this month on Telarc. And he’s got a cool-ass name.
Here’s to you, Pinetop Perkins.
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PinetopPerkins.com:“Pinetop Perkins is one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing. He began playing blues around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best blues pianists. He’s created a style of playing that has influenced three generations of piano players and will continue to be the yardstick by which great blues pianists are measured.”
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Down In Mississippi:
Posted on March 23, 2011
By rayovacalkaline
We hit the road and met Paul Bolger, a founding member and lead singer of Mr. Blotto a band spun out of many genres of music which started in 1991. They are a Chicago institution and one of our favorite bands on the local/regional scene. Paul was nice enough to let us come by their rehearsal space and talk about Mr. Blotto’s story.
Paul showed us his tambura, an instrument that looks like a sitar; although if you were to say that to anyone who plays a tambura they would say you were crazy. This beautiful instrument was used by the Beatles in the the song, “Within You Without You.”
A lot of people ask Paul about the longevity of this band. He explains that it’s not about having an attitude or posing but it’s about the music. We like that answer.
Posted on March 22, 2011
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. Yes at House of Blues on Friday night.
Posted on March 21, 2011
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. The Diplomats at the Congress on Thursday night.
Posted on March 18, 2011
By The Beachwood Holiday Affairs Desk
Montreux Jazz Festival, July 15, 1995.
Posted on March 17, 2011
By Steve Balkin
Clarence “Lil Scotty” Scott marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Rev. Jackson, and Rev. Sharpton; made buttons for Mayor Harold Washington, organized protests to try to save Old Maxwell Street, and evangelized on the sidewalks of Chicago for over 20 years.
He was born in South Carolina 66 years ago and became a civil right activist. Due to his activism, the Klan firebombed his home and he was burned over 90 percent of his body, leaving big scars which he still has today.
He later became a blues singer and sang all over the country, notably with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Little Johnnie Taylor, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Johnny Copeland, Big Momma Thornton, Solomon Burke, and Jimmie Reed.
For several years now, Lil Scotty has been in ill health from problems of a brain hemorrhage and brain surgery. He has a trach tube in his throat to help him breathe but he can still sing.
“It is amazing. He puts one of those permanent marker thick pens in his trach tube to hold the air in, and he can still belt out the blues. I think of it as a miracle. It is an inspiration to us old folks and all disabled people,” says Roosevelt University professor Steve Balkin.
Posted on March 16, 2011
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. The Get Up Kids at Lincoln Hall on Saturday night.
Posted on March 14, 2011
