CHICAGO — Chicago will celebrate two musicians whose unique sound bolstered the popularity of blues music in the city at the 32nd Chicago Blues Festival in June.
The annual blues fest will honor Muddy Waters, "the father of modern Chicago blues," and Willie Dixon, "the poet laureate of the blues."
The free fest will celebrate the artists with a special tribute performance by proteges, former bandmates, friends and family under the Petrillo Music Shell at 5:30 p.m. June 14. The performance is a centennial celebration for both artists, who were both born in Mississippi in 1915.
In 1943, Waters moved from Mississippi to Chicago and began working in a paper mill. But with his electric guitar he was able to bring the blues north from the Delta and make it electric, according to Rolling Stone.
He died of a heart attack April 30, 1983, in suburban Westmont.
Dixon arrived in Chicago in 1936 becoming more serious about his music after a brief stint as a boxer. His music was widely covered by major rock acts. He died of heart failure Jan. 29, 1992, in Burbank, Calif., and is buried in Alsip, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. June 12-14 in Grant Park. The full lineup of performers will be announced later this spring.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
