Sweet Home Chicago: The City’s Greatest Musicians Part 2

This week we conclude our look at great Chicago musicians throughout the years. The city has always been a hotbed for memorable music that has defined generations, and what better time to check out or revisit these amazing artists then while stuck at home. As Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” So let’s dive into the next batch of bands and artists that call the Windy City home sweet home.

Styx: Formed in 1972, this Chicago band has sold millions of records thanks to their unique blend of melodic rock accented with acoustics and synthesizers. From their prog-rock roots to their arena headlining heyday, the group has toured non-stop and continues to record to this day. Styx has produced numerous hits, including Mr. Roboto, Lady, Come Sail Away, and Too Much Time on My Hands, making them one of the most successful bands to emerge out of the Windy City.

Sam Cooke: Although born in Mississippi, the legendary R&B singer grew up and came into his own as a performer in Chicago. Known as the “King of Soul” thanks to his unforgettable vocals, Cooke arrived on the national scene in 1957 with You Send Me, a massive hit that climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B and Hot 100 charts. Between 1957 and 1964, Cooke had 30 Top 40 hits, including A Change is Gonna Come, Cupid, and Chain Gang, amongst many others. The smooth and unmistakable tone of his vocals had solidified Cooke as one of the greatest of all time across any genre. 

Wilco: Since 1994, Wilco, led by frontman and musician Jeff Tweedy, has consistently produced some of the best rock music of the last three decades. With influences ranging from The Beatles and Television to alternative country, Wilco creates a unique sound blending rock, pop, and country into a musical buffet that is as unique as it is memorable. Classic albums like A.M., Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot haveearned the group millions of fans thanks to their mix of experimentation and sharp pop sensibilities. 

Disturbed: Since the dawn of the century, Disturbed have provided the metal genre with a steady diet of heavy riffing and thought-provoking lyrics. The group formed in Chicago in 1994 and has gone on to become one of the most successful bands of the genre. Joining a small group of artists who have had five consecutive No. 1 albums, Disturbed has proven their longevity thanks to hits like Stupify, Down with the Sickness, and their hugely successful cover of Simons and Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence.

Buddy Guy: Another southern bluesman who made his name after relocating to the Windy City, Buddy Guy is who most think of when the subject of Chicago blues comes up. Long considered one of the greatest guitarists ever, Guy cut his teeth as a house musician for legendary Chicago blues label, Chess Records, and played with Muddy Water’s band before going solo. Mixing showmanship, originality, and an attack on the guitar that is uniquely his own, Buddy Guy continues to dazzle audiences around the world and at his Legends blues club on Wabash Avenue. Just one YouTube search of this bluesman and it’s no doubt why Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix all worshipped Guy’s one of a kind interpretation of the blues. 

That does it for now. By no means is this list complete, and individual taste may vary. Still, these musicians have, without a doubt, left their mark and made Chicago a mecca for unforgettable music. 

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO