88 Comments - Draznnl - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 6:05 am: Brandi Carlisle’s version of “I Remember Everything” brought tears to my eyes. When I was young, Steve Goodman was my favorite local musician. From “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” to “Lincoln Park Pirates” through “City of New Orleans” and beyond, one couldn’t avoid being moved by his songs. When I got older, I discovered John Prine’s music. The beauty of his tunes. The incredible lyricsm. “Illegal Smile”, “Sam Stone”, “Angel From Montgomery” are just some of my favorites. I don’t know how you can spend 15 or 20 minutes listening to Prine’s music and not be moved. - tea_and_honey - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:04 am: The 90s were my high school and college years and the Smashing Pumpkins were the soundtrack to so much of that. I still can’t hear a track off Siamese Dream without being instantly transported back to the days of everyone pitching in a dollar for enough gas money to cruise around with the windows down and the radio up for hours. - yinn - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:25 am: Alison Krauss. We had tickets for a concert in Rockford last May and, Fates willing, will have a chance again. I’ve listened to her for over 20 years. Before that, I listened to my hillbilly father (actual nickname: Hillbilly) who would sing Hank Williams while getting ready for work. Hank and Old Spice. Dad would have loved her. - Keyrock - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:29 am: I’ve deeply appreciated the kindness and warmth of Jeff Tweedy and his family in performing over 150 hour-long free Instagram pandemic shows over the past year. They’ve been funny, poignant, family reality shows, with great music. It’s been an honor to be one of his “clients.” He Is truly a mensch. - danray - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:42 am: Skipped my Senior prom in 1980 to road trip to Macomb to see REO Speedwagon at WIU. No regrets. - Marine Life - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:43 am: Vanessa Davis Band has been bringing it for decades. The energy Vanessa brings to the stage is so intense she often needs a guide to help her leave it. Looking forward to being able to see her live again, soon I hope. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:19 am: Naked Raygun is my all-time favorite Chicago original. SAw them many times in college and after. They influenced the Foo Fighters of all bands. Their shows were an absolute blast and a great way to let off a little stress, stage dives were the most fun. - Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:20 am: Some of my fondest memories are from the C-U music scene in the early 90’s. On any given weekend you could see Chicken Truck (precursor to The Bottle Rockets w/ Brian Henneman and Mark Ortman), Steve Pride and His Blood Kin (with Jay Bennett and former Champaign Mayor Don Gerard) and Uncle Tupelo. - Midwest Excellence - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:21 am: Dan Fogelberg. Saw him twice at SSU and had those wet things in my eyes during both shows. His intimacy at those shows was on display. He is missed. - Dog Lover - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:25 am: There is a great, bare bones video of John Prine playing guitar and singing “I Remember Everything.” He looks at the camera at the end and it gave me chills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L21Tc_DtL6M I’m a big Alison Krauss fan. - zatoichi - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:27 am: One of the best times in my life was going to Teds Warehouse in Charleston in the late 70s and early 80s. Ted Bertucca regularly booked bands like Cheap Trick, REO, and Styx before they broke big time. Plus all the great players in Silver Bullet, Slink Rand, Coal Kitchen, Combo Audio, Tim P + RR#3, and many others. The addiction for good live music has never ended. - Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:28 am: WILCO is close to the top for me. Jeff and boys are outstanding playing live. Eddie Vedder isn’t half bad and he tried to take down Ticketmaster so that helps. Billy Corgan is piece of work but the Pumpkins were one of the defining bands of my youth (now you now how old I am). Stabbing Westward gets a nod because of ties to Macomb. Mavis Staples, Cheap Trick, Kayne, Juice Wrld, Miles Davis, Buddy Guy. State’s got some pretty good and deep musical chops. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:29 am: Was thinking about Ma Nugent, the late rock and roll advice columnist in the Illinois Entertainer and mother of Theodosius Atrocious, who went to St. Viator High School in the northwest burbs and formed The Amboy Dukes in the 1960’s. Listening to an obscure tune that was buried in the back of my mind somewhere, off the Weekend Warriors album: Cruisin’. It’s a little rocker. The lyrics aren’t exactly earth shattering but that’s okay. - truthteller - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:31 am: watching Cheap trick play for $1 cover in Rockford bars and knowing one day they will be big time - The Real Captain - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:37 am: I must second JS Mill. I have many a fond memory of Naked Raygun playing around Chicago when I was in HS. They are now, after 31 years, preparing to release a new album on WaxTrax records another Chicago iconic location and organization. All of this while losing their long standing bass player Pierre Kezdy in the fall. - Dancing Bears - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:40 am: Still hard to believe we lost the great John Prine this last year. My dad and I had the chance to see him at Sangamon Auditorium a number of years ago and it was truly incredible. I also always thought that his song “Please Don’t Bury Me” would be a great theme for our state’s organ donor registry! - H-W - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:40 am: Born in Decatur, raised in Champaign-Urbana, Ms. Allison Krauss. A national treasure. - Pundent - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:43 am: Here’s yet another reason to support Jeff Tweedy. Showing us all how it’s done. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jeff-tweedy-wilco-royalties-interview-1140881/ - James the Intolerant - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:44 am: Summers End by John Prine, like many of his songs, is heartbreaking. Peace John. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0 - Rabid - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:47 am: Lita ford from Peoria, Susie bogguss from aledo, local talent - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:48 am: Susy Bogguss hails from Aledo, went to school at ISU and played at various venues around the state . - oifredleg - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:49 am: Always enjoyed Crow Carroll and Mackinaw, Ken Carlyle and the Cadillac Cowboys and my personal favorite, Pork and the Havana Ducks. - Not the Dude - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:51 am: REO Speedwagon ( Ridin’ the Storm Out live) and Dan Fogelberg ( Illinois). I’m your boy! - Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 8:53 am: Great choices here. I love Allison Krause, just an awesome musician and until Beyonce passed her Sunday, she held the record for most Grammys by a singer (male or female) and by a woman overall. Naked Raygun is a solid choice too. The entire Chicago punk scene was pretty awesome back then. John Prine is my answer though, and I hope he’s living When I get to Heaven today - Phil - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:05 am: I’m going to cast my vote for Muddy Waters. A great Chicago bluesman. Give a listen to his “Folk Singer” album sometime, preferably late in the evening after a few drinks. Pay particular attention to “Good Morning Little School Girl.” - Manchester - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:08 am: In my younger days I was a big fan of REO Speedwagon but my IL favorites would be a tossup between Dan Fogelberg and Allison Krauss. - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:10 am: John Prine is my #1. His lyrics, his voice, his style. Allison Krause is #2. Amazing voice, great fiddling. Cheap Trick is #3. Live at Budokon is a masterpiece. Special mentions are Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows and Jimmy Stafford, formerly lead guitarist for Train. - Commisar Gritty - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:15 am: The Roadkill Eddies out of the NW Suburbs. Best basement punk band to crowdsurf and cause lasting ear damage circa 2006. They could work a crowd like no local act I ever encountered. Different reasons but I give Sweater Weather out of Normal, IL a lot of credit as one of the best local acts as well. - Give Us Barabbas - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:16 am: So many mentions I concur with already. Styx and Cheap Trick played my high school for a five bucks cover once, before they were big. So instead, I’ll add Delaney and Bonnie. Bonnie Bramlet has amazing pipes. And the guest artists that played with D&B is astounding. - Rabid - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:16 am: Ted Nugent lived in Amboy, before he started Ted Nugent and the Amboy dukes (Dixon) - sulla - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:16 am: Los Crudos. I was too young to see them in their mid-1990’s prime. I managed to catch them at a reunion show in Pilsen about ten years ago and they instantly rocketed up into my ‘top three live bands I’ve ever seen’ list. - Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:22 am: Miles Davis was not just the greatest jazz musician that has ever lived, one could argue he was one of the most influencial American musicians of all time. “Jazz is ignored here because the white man likes to win everything,” - Miles Davis - Bigtwich - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:24 am: An honorable mention for Barrett Deems. Saw him once with Louis Armstrong and several times in a dive bar in Illiopolis. - Platitudinus - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:26 am: Burl Ives. Born in Hunt City, Jasper County, Illinois. Hits include Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Holly Jolly Christmas, Jimmy Crack Corn, big Rock Candy Mountain. - Downstate Dem - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:27 am: Let’s add Jennifer Hudson to the list. Benny Goodman was also from Illinois. I love his music. - Stones - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:27 am: REO got me through college and I’ve always enjoyed their music, simple as it might be. Cheap Trick is #2 and put out one of the greatest live albums of all time. - Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:29 am: Aledo hits above its weight for musical talent. Don’t sleep on Margo Price. Pretty special talent and a progressive voice in Country Music. Her interview on Charlie Rose (lots changed since then) was terrific. - Banish Misfortune - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:38 am: I just want to picnic at Grant Park and hear the Grant Park Symphony and Chorus. - Dysfunction Junction - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:46 am: Prine and Goodman for the win. But if “from here” rather than “born here” is the standard, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells make my list. Genius. And I’ll always have a soft spot for Chicago born-and-bred sax virtuoso Von Freeman. - Independent - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:49 am: I second Thomas Paine on Miles Davis. Born in Alton, raised in East St. Louis, greatest Illinois born musician. Somehow he still seems underrated. - Wonk - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:56 am: Steve Goodman. Lincoln Park Pirates is about as Illinois as it gets! - Etown - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 9:56 am: Surprised to not see Kanye mentioned as of yet. Like him or not the guy is one of the more talented performers to come from this state - Victor - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:11 am: Curtis Mayfield. His guitar playing is especially underrated. - Platitudinus - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:14 am: Chicago’s own, the Buckinghams, according to Billboard in 1967, the most listened to band in America. Couldn’t turn on WLS without hearing them back in the day. - Anonamoose - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:21 am: Somehow we secured cheap tickets to see Wilco with Andrew Bird at the Kane County Cougar Stadium a number of summers. Liked some Wilco music here and there and had never heard of Andrew Bird, and we thought, hey, what the heck, let’s go. Just. Blown. Away. A perfect night. - Perry Noya - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:21 am: Back in 1985 I happened to be in Yellville, Arkansas, which happened to host a national fiddlers convention. The top prize was won by a 16-year-old girl from Illinois. Allison Krause. Roger McGuinn, founder of the Byrds, is from Chicago. - Anonamoose - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:24 am: …and they did an encore of “California Stars” with AB coming back to the stage to accompany them, literally under the stars (Illinois’, not CA’s, but whatever). Again, a perfect night. - Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:46 am: In the jazz community, Von Freeman and Judy Roberts. Heard both as guest artists with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Judy is a pianist, sometimes comedian, and sings artfully. Some favorites are “My Attorney Bernie” by Dave Frishberg and “Senor Blues” by Horace Silver. - Springfieldish - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:50 am: Cheap Trick at the Thirsty Whale in the summer of 1976. - Responsa - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 10:59 am: So many great musicians (and memories) came out of Illinois. I’m not going to choose a “favorite” because that’s completely impossible. Champaign has to be high on the list–a lesser known but brilliant group and unusual for its time. I am also definitely a lifetime member of the REO Speedwagon bandwagon. As others here have mentioned, being able to hear them and their unique sound close up in small venues before they made it big is a special memory. I just recently got an REO Hits CD off Ebay for a pittance and am thrilled to have it. I think I’ll be checking out Ebay for recordings of a few more Illinois sons and daughters now. Champaign’s biggest hit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBUqDr14DEw - Herky - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:03 am: Lots of great choices already mentioned. The Old Town scene with Goodman and Prine but also Bonnie Koloc—what a voice! But my personal favorite may be Aliota, Haynes and Jeremiah. Used to play Jakes in Lisle regularly, played pinball with Skip Haynes between sets. Sadly, all 3 gone too soon. - Drake Mallard - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:06 am: Lionel Richie- Joliet Central grad. Also a championship tennis player there Shawn Colvin started in Carbondale. Played at the opening of the new Marylou’s - Paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:09 am: Ike Reilly is fantastic. Is from Libertyville and still lives there. Amazing singer, song-writer, performer. Super friendly guy too. “Salesmen and Racists” is a good place to start. - Captain Who - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:10 am: An honorable mention goes to Head East for Flat as a Pancake. - Captain Who - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:15 am: Mason Proffit. - Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:16 am: When we moved to Illinois in 1983, one of the first things I saw was a WGN commercial with Lou Rawls singing his Chicago’s Very Own promo. I’ve been hooked on that voice ever since. - bogey golfer - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:16 am: Chicago. Great blend of Terry Kath’s guitar riffs with the brass. Last time I saw them was halftime of a Notre Dame game where they played with the Marching Band. And the Ides of March. - clec dcn - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:18 am: Ramsey Lewis being a jazz musician myself I have to say Ramsey appeals to many. He is home grown and a legend for sure. He also covered may styles and wonderful composer. - Blanche - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:20 am: The Apocryphals from Morton East High School, with Joe Mantegna. Saw them several times at teen dances at Frank Bond’s Supper Club on Harlem Avenue in Berwyn. Also, from Morton West High School, the Ides of March. Was neighbor of Jimmy Peterik on Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, and had classes with Chuckie Soumar. And then, of course, the fabulous Chicago Transit Authority, seen at DePaul University before they became Chicago. Thinking back, I guess I was kind of a groupie, but didn’t know it at the time - haha. - It's not me . . . - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:21 am: There are so many, but one of my favorites is Dan Fogelberg’s Same Old Lang Syne. Brings back so many memories and the age of my innocence. https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/columns/luciano/2020/12/06/same-old-lang-syne-dan-fogelberg-old-lover-reflects-40-years-later/3799407001/ - Bad Habits - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:31 am: Eddie Vedder, Disturbed, Mudvayne, Chevelle. If you’re not up on the three bands, step out of your comfort zone and give them a listen. I suggest: Disturbed - Remember Mudvayne - Fall Into Sleep Chevelle - Shameful Metaphors All three are rock and on the harder side. - The Drummer - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:36 am: Surrender to the fact that April 1 is Cheap Trick Day in Illinois. - low level - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:38 am: Fast Eddie and all the House greats from the ‘90s. I think he was born in Cabrini Green and made it big especially in Europe. Throw in Kool Rock Steady (RIP) as well. Every Friday and Saturday night, listening to the B96 dance party and recording the songs on a cassette. Those were the days. - Senator Clay Davis - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:40 am: Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods. I believe both came out of the Louder than a Bomb poetry slam world, and are making some of the most unique, creative hip-hop/soul happening today. So much Chicago love in their music too. I cant say enough good about either of them. Jamila - HEAVN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJoTxOGEGvE Chance - All Day Long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V846b5ETp-c - BluegrassBoy - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:40 am: Jeff Austin, he was a progressive bluegrass innovator and founding member of Yonder Mountain String band. He is greatly missed by so many, as Jeff took his own life in June of 2019. Man I miss the rambler. He wrote so many great dark bluegrass tunes. His tunes will live forever! - Paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:41 am: Saw Lionel Richie at Ravinia 2 summers ago and was sitting next to a group of Joliet East alums who had graduated with Lionel. They said he had met with them prior to the show and was a prince. He gave them a shout out during the show. Pretty cool. Sadly, Joliet East closed many moons ago. - JT11505 - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:49 am: For one brief shining moment, Off Broadway had it going. About once a year, I pull out “On”. - filmmaker prof - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:38 pm: The Vertebrats - best band ever from Champaign-Urbana. - Dr. Pepper - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:45 pm: John Prine’s my fav - but also love the old garage bands: e.g., New Colony Six and Cryan Shames - Techie - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:02 pm: Here’s to hoping Chicago-based Veil of Maya release a good album this year. I listened to a single released a few weeks ago and was underwhelmed, but the rest of the album could still deliver some fun tunes. - LivCo - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:28 pm: From Montana, but in Chicago for four decades and not yet on the list: Steve Albini. Big Black, Shellac, and produced roughly a zillion great records. Also won a world series of poker bracelet. - Proud Sucker - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:39 pm: ===For one brief shining moment, Off Broadway had it going. About once a year, I pull out “On”.=== I saw them at Gordon Tech in ‘80 or ‘81. “Stay in Time” is still in the rotation on my phone. I love the drop to the floor tom during the intro and verses. I would add John Williams, founding member of Solas, South Side Irish to the core, and an appropriate suggestion for a day before March 17th post. - Lurker - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:43 pm: NIL8 I miss Gary Swaggerty. - James - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:54 pm: Charles Stepney, lifetime Chicagoan, was primarily an arranger, producer and orchestral conductor of early LPs by Minnie Riperton, the Rotary Connection, the Dells, and other Chicago artists between the mid-60s and early 70s. His lush arrangements are unique and quickly identifiable as his. Charles died of a heart attack in 1976 at the age of 45. From his artists, the Dells were personal favorites of mine–five lifetime friends from Harvey. Here’s a 30 minute video of the Dells in their prime, 1972: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eREBH5dq6ko&t=8s - Arsenal - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 2:18 pm: “Surrender” is probably my all time favorite song. But not enough people have mentioned Curtis Mayfield and Miles Davis. BTW, he’s a complete loon, but back in his day, Kanye had some absolute bops. Lupe Fiasco did some nutty things, too, but I still miss him. - Whizbang - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 2:21 pm: Did I miss it or did nobody mention Chicago? - AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 2:38 pm: Not necessarily my favorite, but I just want to remind everyone about Kinky Friedman. - DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 3:23 pm: Here’s a live John Prine show from the Red Door at the old ISU student union, before his first album was released. What a talented guy. https://www.downstatesounds.com/2020/04/john-prine-nfotm-concert-illinois-state.html?fbclid=IwAR2yEKtaEOQpynIo38ldK-ezXwKVeO_7t7-NO1xOf7UFYgQFy6tUhSR-Hhg - Draznnl - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 3:36 pm: I never knew Miles was from Illinois until I read the comments here. Thanks for the education folks. - The Real Captain - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:09 pm: … Ricky Hendon … - UpNorth - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:21 pm: Chicago-Terry Kath on Guitar Cheap Trick Off Broadway Muddy Waters - MyTwoCents - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:36 pm: Reading these comments what really struck me, and what I love about Illinois, is how diverse the musical influences from this state have been. It’s been everything from jazz to rock to rap to bluegrass, etc. It really goes to show people how incredibly diverse this state is. - S. Zissou - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:42 pm: Agree with so many previously listed, a few I didn’t see, or missed scrolling… Billy Corgan & Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Paul Gilbert, Peter Cetera & Chicago And also the country artists Gretchen Wilson, Brett Eldridge, Suzy Bogguss, David Lee Murphy - @misterjayem - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:45 pm: On March 18, 1995, I went to Fitzgerald’s for the first time and saw The Waco Brothers open for The Bottle Rockets. It literally changed my life. When it’s safe again to do so, I implore you to go out a bar, club or roadhouse and see your favorite musicians perform live. Buy some merch from them, buy a drink for them and tell them how much what they do means to you. And don’t wait to catch them next time — you never know when this time will be the last time. – MrJM - Mr. Has Been - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:57 pm: I cannot believe no one has said Duke Tomato and the All Star Frogs! Or Coco Taylor! - Woody - Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 7:56 pm: My fave jazz musician these days is Tara Singer who teaches piano at MCC and out of her home. Also does gigs around NE Illinois. Great musician! Can play anything. - dnta - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 10:38 pm: The entire path of my life (and MANY others too) was positively transformed forever by the music of Dan Fogelberg. With no intention on his part, other than making authentic music, his own ‘therapeutic process’ informed/pointed to what it means to surrender to the actual truth of ‘what is’ and I’m deeply grateful for that gift. If you only ever heard his radio tunes, you have no idea how true this is. Ever On Dan! - Dave - Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:49 am: I have to mention The Moon 16 Times, who created a fantastic sound in the late 1980s. Their lead singer Lynn Canfield is a goddess. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.