Subscribe to RSS FeedThe Popular Chicago Blues Festival as Great as Ever
Chicago has a rich history of great blues music. One of the greatest blues musicians was Muddy Water, who was born McKinley Morganfield. Born in Mississippi, Muddy moved to Chicage in 1940, but soon returned to his birth state of Mississippi n 1943 Muddy returned to Chicago to play music. By the 1950s, those wanting to be part of the blues scene in Chicago musicians wanted to be part of Muddy Water’s band.
The festival was first held in 1984, a year after Muddy Water passed away. The festival has always been under the control of the office of the Mayor. Lois Weisberg, the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, is credited with the creation of the event.
The event occurs each year in early June. It is held at Petrilllo Music Shell at Grant Park located next to Lake Michigan. The Petrilllo Music Shell was built in 1931 under the direction of Mayor Anton Cermak. The shell is named after James C. Petrillo who served for forty years as the president of the Chicago Federation of Musicians. Petrillo also served 18 years as the President of the American Federation of Musicians.
The three day event draws thousands of visitors to Chicago each year. The top blues musicians in the nation perform at the event.