List of musicians from Chicago

The following list includes notable musicians who were born or have lived in Chicago, Illinois.

Contents 


A

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Abbott, EmmaEmma Abbott Dec 9, 1850 Jan 5, 1891 Operatic soprano and impresario Born in Chicago [1]
Armstrong, Lil HardinLil Hardin Armstrong Feb 3, 1898 Aug 27, 1971 Pianist and bandleader Lived and performed in Bronzeville, Chicago neighborhood
Autumn, EmilieEmilie Autumn Sep 22, 1979 Violindustrial singer, violinist, poet, and author
Avant, MyronMyron Avant

(a.k.a. Avant)

 Apr 26, 1978 Singer

B

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Barber, PatriciaPatricia Barber Nov 8, 1955 Jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Born in Chicago
Bates, Ellas OthaEllas Otha Bates

(a.k.a. Bo Diddley)

 Dec 30, 1928 Jun 2, 2008 Rock and roll guitarist, singer, and songwriter Lived in Chicago [2]
Beckett, WilliamWilliam Beckett Feb 11, 1985 Lead singer of The Academy Is...
Benteler, FranzFranz Benteler 1925 2010 Violinist, "Ambassador of Music for Chicago" Lived in Chicago
Bird, AndrewAndrew Bird Jul 11, 1973 Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Born in Chicago
Blair, ZachZach Blair Guitarist for Rise Against
Bryar, BobBob Bryar Drummer of My Chemical Romance
Burke (lyricist), JohnnyJohnny Burke (lyricist) Oct 3, 1908 Lyricist Raised in Chicago [3]
Burnett, Chester ArthurChester Arthur Burnett

(a.k.a. Howlin' Wolf)

 Jun 10, 1910 Jan 10, 1976 Musician [4]
Butterfield, PaulPaul Butterfield Dec 17, 1942 May 4, 1987 Blues musician Born in Chicago

C

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Casey, MartyMarty Casey Sep 26, 1973 Frontman of the rock band Lovehammers Born in Chicago
Cetera, PeterPeter Cetera Sep 13, 1944 Former singer and bassist of Chicago Born in Chicago
Chamberlin, JimmyJimmy Chamberlin Jun 10, 1964 Drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins
Chandler, GeneGene Chandler Jul 6, 1937 Singer Born in Chicago
Clark, Charles W.Charles W. Clark Oct 15, 1865 Aug 4, 1925 Operatic baritone and vocalist teacher Lived in Chicago [5]
Cole, Nat KingNat King Cole Mar 17, 1919 Feb 15, 1965 Singer Lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago [6]
Cole, SteveSteve Cole Aug 17, 1971 Jazz saxophonist Born in Chicago
Coleman, SteveSteve Coleman Sep 20, 1956 Saxophonist Born in Chicago
Cooke, SamSam Cooke Jan 22, 1931 Dec 11, 1964 Singer [7]
Corgan, BillyBilly Corgan Mar 17, 1967 Singer and guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Lived in Chicago [8]
Cotton, JamesJames Cotton Jul 1, 1935 Blues musician
Cozart, KeithKeith Cozart

(a.k.a. Chief Keef)

 Aug 15, 1995 Rapper Born in Chicago

D

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
DeJohnette, JackJack DeJohnette Aug 9, 1942 Drummer and pianist Born in Chicago
DeYoung, DennisDennis DeYoung Feb 18, 1947 Singer and keyboardist of Styx
Dixon, WillieWillie Dixon Jul 1, 1915 Jan 29, 1992 Blues songwriter and record producer
Du Brul, Florence KirschFlorence Kirsch Du Brul 1915 Jul 2, 2005 Classical pianist

E

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Elling, KurtKurt Elling Nov 2, 1967 Singer Born and began his career in Chicago
Everly, PhilPhil Everly Jan 19, 1939 Jan 3, 2014 Singer Born in Chicago

F

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Felton, JeremihJeremih Felton

(a.k.a. Jeremih)

 Jul 17, 1987 Singer Born in Chicago
Freeman, BudBud Freeman Apr 13, 1906 Mar 15, 1991 Jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer Born, worked and died in Chicago
Freeman, VonVon Freeman Oct 3, 1923 Aug 11, 201 Jazz saxophonist Born, worked and died in Chicago
Frey, AlexanderAlexander Frey Oct 5, 1972 Conductor, pianist, organist, harpsichordist and composer Born and grew up in Chicago
Fuqua, HarveyHarvey Fuqua Jul 27, 1929 Jul 6, 2010 Singer, songwriter, and music producer

G

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Goodman, BennyBenny Goodman May 30, 1909 Jun 13, 1986 Bandleader Born in Chicago
Goodman, SteveSteve Goodman Jul 25, 1948 Sep 20, 1984 Singer Born in Chicago
Greene, GeneGene Greene Jun 9, 1857 Apr 5, 1930 Singer
Guy, George "Buddy"George "Buddy" Guy

(a.k.a. Buddy Guy)

 Jul 30, 1936 Blues guitarist
Guy, RashawnnaRashawnna Guy

(a.k.a. Shawnna)

 Jan 3, 1978 Rapper Born in Chicago

H

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Hager, JimJim Hager Aug 30, 1941 Singer Born in Chicago
Hager, JonJon Hager Aug 30, 1941 Singer Born in Chicago
Hancock, HerbieHerbie Hancock Apr 12, 1940 Jazz pianist, bandleader and composer Born in Chicago
Harris, EddieEddie Harris Oct 20, 1934 Nov 5, 1996 Jazz saxophonist Born in Chicago
Harris, ShawntaeShawntae Harris

(a.k.a. Da Brat)

 Apr 14, 1974 Rapper
Hodes, ArtArt Hodes Nov 14, 1904 Mar 4, 1993 Jazz pianist Raised in Chicago, worked there for many years
Holloway, LoleattaLoleatta Holloway Nov 5, 1946 Mar 21, 2011 Singer Born in Chicago
Hurley, AndyAndy Hurley May 31, 1980 Drummer for Fall Out Boy

I

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Iha, JamesJames Iha Mar 26, 1968 Guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Born in Chicago

J

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jaco, Wasalu MuhammadWasalu Muhammad Jaco

(a.k.a. Lupe Fiasco)

 Feb 16, 1982 Rapper Born in Chicago
Johnson, RamoneRamone Johnson

(a.k.a. Cashis)

 Oct 10, 1982 Rapper Born in Chicago
Johnson, SyleenaSyleena Johnson Sep 2, 1976 Singer
Jones, DonellDonell Jones May 22, 1973 Singer and composer Born in Chicago
Jordan, BennBenn Jordan Oct 28, 1978 Electronic musician

K

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Kath, TerryTerry Kath Jan 31, 1946 Jan 23, 1978 Singer and guitarist of Chicago Born in Chicago
Kelly, BrendanBrendan Kelly Sep 8, 1976 Bassist and vocalist of punk band The Lawrence Arms
Kelly, Robert SylvesterRobert Sylvester Kelly

(a.k.a. R. Kelly)

 Jan 8, 1967 R&B singer Born in the (Roseland) neighborhood of Chicago
Khan, ChakaChaka Khan Mar 23, 1953 Singer ("Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing" which she wrote for her then husband Richard Holland, "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire") Born in Chicago
Kimball, William WallaceWilliam Wallace Kimball 1828 1904 Founder of Kimball Piano Company
Krupa, GeneGene Krupa Jan 15, 1909 Oct 16, 1973 Drummer and bandleader Born in Chicago

L

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Lamm, RobertRobert Lamm Oct 13, 1944 Singer and keyboardist of Chicago Grew up in Chicago
Lewis, RamseyRamsey Lewis May 27, 1935 Jazz pianist and composer Born in Chicago
Linton, Timothy MichaelTimothy Michael Linton

(a.k.a. Zim Zum)

 Jun 25, 1969 Guitarist and songwriter for Marilyn Manson, The Pop Culture Suicides Born in Chicago
Lofgren, NilsNils Lofgren Jun 21, 1951 Member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, former backing musician for Neil Young Born in Chicago
Lynn, Jr., Lonnie RashidLonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.

(a.k.a. Common)

 Mar 13, 1972 Rapper Born in Chicago

M

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Manzarek, RayRay Manzarek Feb 12, 1939 May 20, 2013 Keyboardist of The Doors Born in Chicago [9]
Marx, RichardRichard Marx Sep 16, 1963 Singer and songwriter Born in Chicago
Mayfield, CurtisCurtis Mayfield Jun 3, 1942 Dec 26, 1999 Songwriter and guitarist Born in Chicago
McIlrath, TimTim McIlrath Nov 3, 1978 Lead singer and guitarist for Rise Against
Mescudi, Scott Ramon SeguroScott Ramon Seguro Mescudi

(a.k.a. Kid Cudi)

 Jan 30, 1984 Rapper
Mitchell, Carl TerrellCarl Terrell Mitchell

(a.k.a. Twista)

 Nov 27, 1973 Rapper Born in Chicago
Morello, TomTom Morello May 30, 1964 Guitarist
Morganfield, McKinleyMcKinley Morganfield

(a.k.a. Muddy Waters)

 Apr 4, 1913 Apr 30, 1983 Blues musician Lived in Chicago [4]

N

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Nelson, WayneWayne Nelson Jun 1, 1950 Lead singer of Little River Band
Newkirk, Anastacia LynAnastacia Lyn Newkirk

(a.k.a. Anastacia)

 Sep 17, 1968 Singer Born in Chicago

O

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
O'Rourke, JimJim O'Rourke Jan 18, 1969 Experimental musician Born in Chicago

P

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Palmer, KekeKeke Palmer Aug 26, 1993 Singer actress
Panozzo, ChuckChuck Panozzo Sep 20, 1948 Bass guitarist for Styx Born in Chicago
Panozzo, JohnJohn Panozzo Sep 20, 1948 Jul 16, 1996 Drummer for Styx Grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago
Parazaider, WalterWalter Parazaider Mar 14, 1945 Woodwind player for Chicago Born in Chicago
Paxton, TomTom Paxton Oct 31, 1937 Folk singer, songwriter, Born in Chicago
Petrillo, JamesJames Petrillo Mar 16, 1892 Oct 23, 1984 Head of the musicians' union Born in Chicago
Phair, LizLiz Phair Apr 17, 1967 Singer
Pine, Rachel BartonRachel Barton Pine Oct 11, 1974 Violinist Born in Chicago
Principe, JoeJoe Principe Nov 14, 1974 Bassist for Rise Against Born in Chicago

R

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Raddon, RyanRyan Raddon

(a.k.a. Kaskade)

 Feb 25, 1971 Electronic musician Born in Chicago
Ratliff, MishonMishon Ratliff Feb 3, 1993 Singer and actor
Rawls, LouLou Rawls Dec 1, 1933 Jan 6, 2006 Singer Born in Chicago [2]
Riperton, MinnieMinnie Riperton Nov 8, 1947 Jul 12, 1979 Singer Born in Chicago

S

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Seraphine, DannyDanny Seraphine Aug 28, 1948 Drummer of the band Chicago Born in Chicago
Shin, Peniel D.Peniel D. Shin Mar 10, 1993 Rapper and vocalist for BtoB
Skiba, MattMatt Skiba Feb 24, 1976 Lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio Born in Chicago
Smith, CheChe Smith

(a.k.a. Rhymefest)

 Jul 6, 1977 Rapper Born in Chicago
Smith, PattiPatti Smith Dec 30, 1946 Singer, songwriter and poet Born in Chicago
Spafford, HoratioHoratio Spafford Oct 20, 1828 Oct 16, 1888 Composer
Sparks, DonitaDonita Sparks Apr 8, 1962 Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and founder of bands L7 and Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments; one of the founders of the pro-choice organisation Rock for Choice as well as a founder of CASH Music Born in Chicago [10]
Spatafora, JoeyJoey Spatafora Jul 10, 1965 Singer-songwriter of The Squids Born in Chicago
Staples, MavisMavis Staples Jul 10, 1939 Singer Born in Chicago
Stump, PatrickPatrick Stump Apr 27, 1984 Lead singer and guitarist for Fall Out Boy
Sucherman, ToddTodd Sucherman May 2, 1969 Drummer for the band Styx Born in Chicago
Susman, WilliamWilliam Susman Aug 29, 1960 Composer

T

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Taylor, KokoKoko Taylor Sep 28, 1928 Jun 3, 2009 Singer Lived and died in Chicago
Taylor, Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt Taylor

(a.k.a. Hound Dog Taylor)

 Apr 12, 1915 Dec 17, 1975 Guitarist
Thayil, KimKim Thayil Sep 4, 1960 Guitarist of Soundgarden
Timm, DougDoug Timm Jun 14, 1960 Jul 21, 1989 Composer and songwriter Born in Chicago
Tozzi, GiorgioGiorgio Tozzi Jan 8, 1923 May 30, 2011 Basso Born in Chicago
Tristano, LennieLennie Tristano Mar 19, 1919 Nov 18, 1978 Pianist Born in Chicago
Trohman, JoeJoe Trohman Sep 1, 1984 Guitarist for Fall Out Boy
Tweedy, JeffJeff Tweedy Aug 25, 1967 Singer and songwriter

V

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Vedder, EddieEddie Vedder Dec 23, 1965 Lead singer for the band Pearl Jam

W

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Walker, Jonathan JacobJonathan Jacob Walker Sep 17, 1985 Bassist for Panic at the Disco
Ward, ChristianChristian Ward

(a.k.a. Yung Berg)

 Sep 9, 1986 Rapper Born in Chicago
Washington, DinahDinah Washington Aug 29, 1924 Dec 14, 1963 Singer [7]
Way, DeAndre CortezDeAndre Cortez Way

(a.k.a. Soulja Boy)

 Jul 28, 1990 Rapper Born in Chicago
Wentz, PetePete Wentz Jun 5, 1979 Bassist and lyricist for Fall Out Boy
Wertico, PaulPaul Wertico Jan 5, 1953 Jazz drummer Born in Chicago
West, KanyeKanye West Jun 8, 1977 Rapper and producer Grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago
Willis, WesleyWesley Willis May 31, 1963 Aug 21, 2003 Singer born in Chicago
Wilson, DionDion Wilson

(a.k.a. No ID)

 Hip hop and R&B record producer Born in Chicago
Wretzky, D'arcyD'arcy Wretzky May 1, 1968 Bassist for Smashing Pumpkins

Y

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Young, JamesJames Young Nov 14, 1949 Guitarist for Styx Born in Chicago

Z

Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Zevon, WarrenWarren Zevon Jan 24, 1947 Sep 7, 2003 Singer Born in Chicago

Bands

Name Image Founded Disbanded Music Association Reference
88 Fingers Louie 1993 2011 Punk band Founded in Chicago
Big Black 1981 1987 Punk/noise rock band Founded in Chicago suburb of Evanston
Cheap Trick 1973 present Rock group Founded in Chicago, Cheap Trick plans to open a music complex on Motor Row in Chicago's South Loop [11]
Chicago 1967 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Disturbed 1994 present Heavy metal band Founded in Chicago
Do or Die

(a.k.a. D.O.D.)

 1995 present Rap trio Originally from the west side of Chicago
Fall Out Boy 2001 present Rock band Consider Chicago their hometown [12]
Kids These Days 2009 2013 Hip Hop band Founded in Chicago
Kill Hannah 1993 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Krewella 2007 present Electronic trio Founded in Chicago
Ministry 1981 present Pioneering industrial metal band Founded in Chicago
Naked Raygun 1980 present Punk rock band Founded in Chicago
OK Go 1998 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Plain White T's 1997 present Pop punk band Founded in Chicago
Paul Butterfield Blues Band 1963 1971 Blues rock band, performed at Woodstock Founded in Chicago by Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield
Rise Against 1999 present Punk-rock group Founded in Chicago
Screeching Weasel 1986 present pioneering pop punk band Founded in the Chicago suburbs
Smith Westerns 2007 present garage/indie rock band Founded in Chicago
The Buckinghams 1966 present Sunshine pop band Founded in Chicago
The Jesus Lizard 1987 present Alternative/noise rock band Moved to Chicago in 1989, originally from Austin, Texas
The Smashing Pumpkins 1988 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
The Squids 1989 2005 Rock band Founded in Chicago
Urge Overkill 1986 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
The White Tie Affair 2006 2012 Pop-rock band Founded in Chicago
Wilco 1994 present Alternative rock band Founded in Chicago

References

  1. ↑ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  2. 1 2 Gilliland, John (1969). "The Tribal Drum: The rise of rhythm and blues" (audio). Pop Chronicles. Digital.library.unt.edu. Show 3, track 5.
  3. ↑ "Johnny Burke". AllMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Gilliland 1969, show 4.
  5. ↑ John William Leonard, The Book of Chicagoans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men and Women of the City of Chicago. A.N. Marquis. 1917.
  6. ↑ Gilliland 1969, show 22.
  7. 1 2 Gilliland 1969, show 17.
  8. ↑ "Billy Corgan's Chicago Condo Under Contract". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  9. ↑ Gilliland 1969, show 43.
  10. ↑ Donita Sparks biography
  11. ↑ "Cheap Trick Planning Music Complex in South Loop".
  12. ↑ "Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" & Show in Chicago Tonight". B96 Chicago. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
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