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

Last week we gave some guidelines to all of us adults forced to work at home due to the recent pandemic. Many of you are also dealing with one or more young ones at home too. Doing their schoolwork takes up only a portion of the day. With this situation destined to last for weeks, we need to be creative to keep these children occupied while we get our work done. 

As with the adults, it’s a good idea to make a schedule and stick to it. Children do better with structure when they know what will be going on each part of the day. Start with a good breakfast with protein to keep their energy going. Schoolwork is; next, one to two hours depending on age. Preschoolers can color or do simple exercises. Now is an excellent time to make reading a good habit. Children of reading age can read by themselves or read to younger siblings. Even having a preschooler looking through a picture book can keep them occupied for a time. There are so many easy activities for young children to do indoors. Check out busytoddler.com. It is an Amazon site, so all the materials are available. 

Schedule the day like their school day. Have recess time and lunchtime. Schoolwork in small chunks. Playtime is important. Do try to have child-led play. Toys that have children use their imagination are best. Think blocks, kitchens, and dolls or action figures. Flatten out a large box, draw streets and buildings for active car play. Kids love to work in the kitchen. Even the youngest child can add ingredients or decorate cookies, look online for kids cooking activities. 

Outside activities are a must. Children need to run off some of that pent-up energy just like in school. Family hikes are good. Stick to open areas. Best to limit contact with other children right now. Playground equipment can also be problematic, so it’s best to avoid it currently. Get out the bikes as the weather gets better, although kids are used to a little cold and rain at recess. Older kids and teenagers must be made aware of the danger of congregating in groups until the worst of this is over. Many towns’ law enforcement has had to crack down on teenagers gathering in groups. They must understand that while the virus holds a small danger to them, they could transmit it to a more vulnerable person. Unfortunately, many people think some of these rules are just suggestions and don’t apply to them. Be a good example to your children by following the quarantine guidelines. For some indoor exercise, put on some music and dance!

Despite your best intentions, there are going to be times when you simply must get some work done, and movies or screen time is necessary. Make movie time special like they’re at the theater with popcorn and drinks. Use screen time for learning games, not just video games. Do have a scheduled time block daily that they can use screens at their choosing but only for a half-hour or so. 

If we all work together, we can get through this difficult moment. I read something interesting the other day. Ten years from now, when a mother and her teenager are asked about their quarantine experience, the mother would recall how scary and difficult the time was. The teenager, on the other hand, would remember how great the time was spent with their Mom at home. Take this opportunity to make memories with your children.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEACH CHICAGO

When it comes to music, Chicago stands out as one of the breeding grounds for amazing groups and musicians spanning across all genres and tastes. From blues and metal to alternative rock and hip hop, the Windy City has historically provided music that has lasted for decades and continues to be home to acts making their mark across the world. To help get our minds off COVID- 19 and the blues of being stuck at home, let’s take a look at some of the one of a kind music Chicago has given us throughout the years.

Chicago: A bit of a no-brainer, huh? One of the best selling groups of all time, Chicago’s music has entertained fans across the world since their late 60s debut (when they were known as the Chicago Transit Authority). With hits like If You Leave Me Now, Hard To Say I’m Sorry, and 25 or 6 to 4, Chicago has solidified their place as one of the most successful rock bands of all time to emerge from the Windy City. 

Muddy Waters: Considered the godfather of the Chicago blues sound, Muddy Waters was born in Mississippi but moved to Chicago in the 40s, bringing his unique vocals and guitar playing to the South Side blues clubs. Combining the sounds of Mississippi Delta blues with the get-up of Chicago’s street vibe, Muddy Waters defined what we call Chicago Blues thanks to songs like I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man and Rollin’ Stone. Chicago is the undisputed home of the blues, and Muddy Waters stands tall at the top of the list of musicians who made the city the blues mecca it is. 

The Smashing Pumpkins: Led by frontman/guitarist Billy Corgan, The Smashing Pumpkins erupted out of the late 80s/ early 90s alternative scene, putting Chicago on the map next to Seattle as the melting pot of rock music at the time. The group’s sophisticated arrangements and pop sensibilities stood out amongst the wailing guitars and drums on classic albums like Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The recently reunited group has been back on the road as of late, bringing their unique, layered rock stylings to their millions of fans all over the world.

Earth, Wind & Fire: Since forming in Chicago in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fire have blended rock, funk, jazz, soul, and just about any other genre you can think of into music that is loved the world over. One of the best selling groups of all time thanks to songs like Shining Star, Reasons, and September, this Chicago group led by Maurice White has something for every musical taste and has influenced artists ranging from Lenny Kravitz and Justin Timberlake to Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.

Kanye West: Love him or loathe him, there’s no doubt that Kanye West has left his mark on the hip hop world and beyond thanks to a mixture of numerous hits and his outlandish personality. While born in Atlanta, West moved to Chicago at a young age and has always called the city home. Groundbreaking hip hop albums like College Dropout, Graduation, and 808s & Heartbreak cemented West as one of the genre’s top artists and producers with artists like Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Ludacris all benefitting from West’s prowess in the recording studio. It would take a whole other blog post to capture West’s idiosyncratic tendencies, so just enjoy the music from one of Chicago’s most celebrated MCs.

Each of these artists has helped put Chicago on the map as one of the meccas of great music, but it’s by no means a complete list. Tune in next week for more Chicago artists who have brought the Windy City to the forefront of modern music. 

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have had to change the way we live our daily lives. Depending on where you live, it can be as little as voluntary social distancing to stay at home orders. 

Many people across America are now finding themselves working from home. This has been a growing segment of the working population in recent years, but for many of us, it’s a new venture. If you go in with your eyes open and remember some useful tips, you can be successful. 

Working at home sounds great on the surface, but it requires great discipline. At home, there are many more things to distract you from working, from kids to pets to the Lifetime Network. The first thing is to shower and change into work-appropriate clothing. Why? It puts you in a working, professional mode. It is much easier to slack off wearing sweats and flip-flops. Set a schedule, making time for breaks and lunch. Working straight through may get you done earlier but can burn you out quickly. 

If you don’t have an extra room for an actual office, do dedicate a space large enough for your computer or laptop and any other material you will be using. Make sure you have adequate light to keep down fatigue and eye strain. Buy yourself a comfortable ergonomic chair. If you need to keep outside noises down, a set of noise-canceling headphones may be in order. Internet bandwidth could be a problem, especially if you have others in the house using devices, like kids. Moving closer to the router may help, but it might be necessary to upgrade your Internet. Ask yourself if you need a secure line? 

Keep communication open and ongoing with your supervisor and any other people you will be working with. Depending on the type of job, you will be entirely on your own, but you need to know exactly what is expected of you each day. Other jobs will require video conferencing or conference calls. Know what applications your team is using. Many remote workers are relying on Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, Slack, and Go to Meeting, to mention a few. We have a lot of options with technology today to keep connected with the office. Do make sure everyone understands; even with video conferencing, some things can be missed. Ask questions to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

With the situation now, kids are home from school too. Depending on their ages, it might be necessary for them to be on a schedule also. They need to do schoolwork, and there are many options for them to socialize like Roblox, a platform where kids can chat while playing video games. With younger kids, you might have to get more creative. Perhaps it’s possible to work more in the evenings. Or your spouse may have a more flexible schedule. Even in this time of social distancing, there could be something worked out with a neighbor in a similar situation. 

So, with a little planning, a lot of discipline, and a good bit of technology thrown in, we can get through this challenging time with a minimum of difficulty. You never know, maybe working at home will really work well for you. You can be productive at home.  

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO