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* Phil Kadner has an excellent column on the late Sun-Times owner Jim Tyree…
James Tyree was about 10 years old when his alcoholic father left home, and he and his mother moved from a house in Chicago’s Beverly community to a basement apartment in Oak Lawn.
“I got the bedroom, and she slept on basically a futon in the living room,” Tyree told me last year.
About 30 years later, having worked his way through Illinois State University, Tyree was managing a multimillion-dollar international investment business. […]
What impressed me was the receptionist in the lobby of the Mesirow Financial building. As I waited for my interview with Tyree, I asked her if she had ever met the man.
“Oh, yes,” she said.
What’s he like? A real jerk, I bet?
“He’s just the nicest person. Down to earth. Talks to everyone like they’re human,” she said.
And that turned out to be an absolutely accurate description. […]
The one thing that everyone I spoke with said about Jim Tyree was this: “He’s just a really good guy.”
Of all his amazing accomplishments in life, I think that may have been his greatest.
And I think he would be darn proud to have that as his epitaph.
The two of us meant to get together to talk about the future of the paper, but I never got around to it and then he got sick. From everything I’ve heard and read about the man, he was truly a decent guy. My heart goes out to his family and his many friends. His widow is having a particularly difficult time right now because her father died just two days after her husband passed away. My thoughts are with her.
* Meanwhile, I’ve spent many a night watching Pinetop Perkins play the Boogie Woogie at Rosa’s Lounge. Often accompanied by Sugar Blue on the harmonica and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums, the last of the great Mississippi bluesmen always put on a fine show. You had to get there early for the Saturday night shows, however, because Perkins stopped playing at midnight. He wouldn’t perform on a Sunday.
It was a thrill to see the 97-years young musician and Smith win a Grammy Award this year. But Perkins passed away in Austin, Texas yesterday. He’s gonna be missed…
Perkins’ skills came not from any sort of formal training but from an innate ability and love for a musical form that arose from the South’s plantation system.
“I didn’t get no schooling. I come up the hard way in the world,” Perkins told The Associated Press in a 2009 interview.
Bob Corritore, a harmonica player who performed occasionally with Perkins and produced some of his work, said, “Pinetop could find the cracks and fill them in and be the glue and mortar of the whole band.”
The man sure could play…
Rosa’s will be the place to be this weekend. Bet on it.
* Related…
* Tributes to James Tyree: ‘My friend, my hero, my brother by choice’
* Power brokers, everyday Joes eulogize James Tyree: ‘He made us all feel like family’
* Which Traits Predict Success? (The Importance of Grit)
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:13 am
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I have known Jim since about 6th grade and throughout his life. In his 53 years he did more professionally and philanthropically than anyone could ever have expected given his modest roots. That said, probably the best thing that can be said about Jim was that to the end he was just one of the guys.
He is truly a role model for young up and comers, professionals, politicians or otherwise, to emulate.
RIP Jim Tyree.
Comment by Wondering... Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:24 am
Pinetop’s passing marks the end of an era when the greats came out of the Mississippi Delta and electrified Memphis, St. Louis and Chicago. Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Pinetop — they were the granddaddies of rock and roll.
Their old stuff holds up better than 90% of what was derived — or stolen — from them.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:25 am
Rosa’s and Perkins were a great combo. One of my very favorite blues bars and one of my very favorite bluesmen. I wish my kids would have had the chance to be exposed to that kind of original talent.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:34 am
Jim was a fierce competitor when it came to business. He also had the unique ability to never let business become personal and his word was as good as gold. He was the kind of guy who always stabbed you in the front never in the back. He’ll be missed on many levels.
RIP brother.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:50 am
Thanks for the Pinetop memorial post and video, Rich. Yes he could play. I just read Keith Richards’ new book and the credit he gives the old Chicago bluesmen for the inspiration and unique sound at the start of his and Mick’s career is touching and obviously very sincere. One of the reasons the Stones and Clapton have stood the test of time (besides somehow managing to stay alive) is that their music is based on something real and great.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 9:56 am
–I just read Keith Richards’ new book and the credit he gives the old Chicago bluesmen for the inspiration and unique sound at the start of his and Mick’s career is touching and obviously very sincere.–
That’s cool. It took Plant and Page about 20 years (and a lawsuit) after “Led Zep II” to give Willie Dixon credit (and cash) for “Whole Lotta Love” and “Bring it on Home.”
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 10:41 am
Another passing of the old guard. Sad for all us who love the blues but I guess even the Lord and Heavenly Hosts need to hear some blues once in awhile. God bless Pinetop and his family.
Comment by NoNameNick Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 10:51 am
Amen–we got a great painting of Pinetop at the Delta Blue Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi and it hangs in a treasured spot in our home. RIP.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 11:06 am
I was at Buddy Guys legends in 2004 and was waiting on Carl Weathersby to start playing. Pinetop was sitting in the VIP section off to the side of the stage and I walked over and talked with him about my blues show and he invited me to sit… next to him. It was about 10:30pm and Pinetop had ordered biscuits and gravy to eat. When the wait staff brought them out, they were covered in brown gravy. Pinetop looked at me and said “who the hell puts brown gravy on biscuits, Buddy knows better than that!” I laughed and agreed I had never seen such a food atrocity. He sent them back and they brought out the right combination of biscuits and gravy a few minutes later. Rest In Peace Pinetop.
Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 11:24 am
I am always amazed how little people outside the state, and many within do not realize Chicago’s pivotal role in the creation of both jazz and rock. The south side was the hotbed of both genres, and almost every important innovator, from Louis Armstrong to Benny Goodman and beyond had a tour of duty in Chicago. The loss of an innovator is always notable. RIP.
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 12:29 pm
I’ve known Jim Tyree since the late 80’s. Kadner caught the essence of the man. A huge Bulls and White Sox fan. A great listener. A sound judge of character. A great businessman. A great civic leader. A great philanthropist.
He will be missed on all of those levels.
Comment by chiatty Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 12:40 pm
Rosa’s and Pinetop-what a great spot to watch a great performer!!! RIP Pinetop and thanks for the music
Comment by gage parker Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 2:11 pm
Jim was a truly self-made man, but as an earlier poster stated the most impressive thing may be that he was always one of the guys. Treated everyone the same, with dignity.
Comment by Jim Tuesday, Mar 22, 11 @ 3:22 pm