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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF JIM SCHWALL
WHEREAS, Jim Schwall, singer-songwriter, photographer, and co-founder of the legendary Siegel-Schwall Band died at the age of 79 at his home in Tucson, Arizona; and Jim was born in Evanston and grew up in Wilmette, attending New Trier High School; and
WHEREAS, growing up, Jim bought his LPs from legendary Chicago record store owner Bob Koester. "He played Lead Belly records and a lot of bluegrass and blues music, like Lightnin' Hopkins, Ahmad Jamal," his brother said. "There was a lot of folk music happening," his brother said, "and at a party once, one of his friends brought a guitar down from the attic." It was a Gibson B-25 acoustic. He started to play and just took off with it, continuing to perform with that same B-25, later amplified; and
WHEREAS, Jim played guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, accordion, and other instruments. He studied music at Roosevelt University where he met Corky Siegel and became interested in electric blues music. They formed the blues duo in 1964 and began playing at Chicago bars and clubs. They played with and were inspired by blues greats Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon as well as the next generation of blues legends, including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Little Walter; and
WHEREAS, Siegel-Schwall got a regular Thursday night gig at Pepper's Lounge at 43rd and Vincennes, where they apprenticed with blues greats. When the Paul Butterfield Blues Band left Big John's in Old Town to hit the road, Siegel-Schwall started a residency, performing there with others influenced by the blues musicians, including Mike Bloomfield and Harvey Mandel. One of their records, "953 West," is named for another favorite venue: the old Quiet Knight at 953 W. Belmont Avenue, by the "L"; and
WHEREAS, the Siegel-Schwall Band became quite popular, and by 1967, were touring nationally, playing San Francisco's famed Fillmore West with Janis Joplin and the Jefferson Airplane, producing ...
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