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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF PERVIS SPANN
WHEREAS, Pervis Spann was born on August 16, 1932, in Bena Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, In 1949 he moved with his mother and sister to Battle Creek, Michigan and it wasn’t long before he left to find work in Gary, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, After serving in the Armed Forces, Pervis moved to Chicago where he became interested in broadcasting and was granted a four-hour overnight time slot on WOPA. In 1963, Phil and Leonard Chess bought the radio station, which later became WVON a 24-hour blues station. It was because of his love for blues music that led him to become known as “The Bluesman” in the broadcast industry; and
WHEREAS, Pervis Spann decided to expand his sphere of influence during the 1960’s and began managing talented performers such as B.B. King and was known as the person who named Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul.”; and
WHEREAS, Pervis’ name and voice became iconic among his late-night listeners, spinning the sounds of legendary artist like Howling Wolf, B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Johnny Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Pervis Spann was the voice for Black Chicago during a time when many were fighting to be heard; and
WHEREAS, Pervis Spann passed away on March 14, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Pervis Spann is survived by his wife, Lovie Spann of 67 years, and four children daughters, Melody Spann-Cooper, Latrice Levitt, Shante Spann, and son Darrell Spann; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Pervis Spann and honor the life and memory of this outstanding Cook County resident.
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