Bills Blues in Evanston - no more

[Marshall]

I got this email from Norm. I had heard it was likely to happen.

11/10/2009

Folks:

This morning, I received a phone call from Bill Gilmore, owner of Bill's Blues Bar, telling me that the last ditch efforts to save the venue had failed. This is a major blow to the music community in Chicago. For over 6 years, Bill's has presented the best in blues, jazz, rock, folk, hip hop/rap on the North Shore, and, also included special events for Northwestern University students in the form of "The Pub Quiz" as well as renting the room out for private functions. This venue, in conjunction with Lilfest and Nancy Emrich, has also brought talent into the community that would have never been heard or seen otherwise at reasonable admission charges. Over the last 2 years. our sound crew has done so much to make this venue playable for artists and listenable for patrons, all of it out of their own pockets in an effort to support Bill's Blues.

This loss will be felt across the entire community.

Thanks to all of you who supported our efforts.

Best wishes for a great holiday seaason.

Norm "MadDawg" Siegel
uncledizzy55@comcast.net

[Marshall]

OK. I played at the open mic on 10/25 at Bill's Blues a week or so before the close. Here's a Youtube I just put up from what was my farewell performance there. Great sound system. That's Norm, Uncle Dizzy, in the background at the controls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1GPwruud6o

[Chicago Sandy]

Played there many a time myself--first at the old None of the Above showcases, a couple of times at Christmas, solo and SASS!/Trio gigs (including SASS! CD release), Thurs. "Bluebird nights," Inauguration Day, Lilfest, even hosted the open mic once. Witnessed some amazing performances there as well. Sad to see any venue close, but especially one of which you've witnessed the birth (deja vu, a la Holstein's) and into one's friends have poured their energy, funds and hearts. (Let's not forget that Margaret Nelson was also a contributor in trying to keep the place alive). Saw Nancy at NERFA this weekend, and I felt almost like I was consoling a mourner at a shiva call. Wish I'd been able to be at Bill's in its final weeks, but my road schedule would not cooperate, alas.

[florijaw]

Hate to hear news like this, we lost the only venue in our area for smaller touring acts last year and it leaves a void.

[Marshall]

Yeah Sandy. I hear Wilmette cracked down on Nancy's house concerts too. Of course they made her cancel Lilfest this year. So she's without a venue, and I know that's got to kill her.