Samuel Julian Lay

Sam Lay was a R&B and blues singer and drummer. He recorded on Chess Records and performed with such greats as: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, The Original Thunderbirds, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, and John Lee Hooker.

In 2015 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is also in the Blues Hall of Fame and the Jazz Hall of Fame.

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Honorary Samuel Julian Lay WAY

West Gladys Avenue between South Lavergne Avenue and South Leamington Avenue

 

Approved: April 2024

Ward: 29
Alderman: Chris Taliaferro
Neighborhood: Garfield Park/Austin

b. March 20, 1935
d. January 29, 2022. Age 86.

Sign dedication: October 12, 2024

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Source

20248335

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/05/arts/music/sam-lay-dead.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Lay

https://youtu.be/whHiwh8ATLM?si=rDxWZO6zwJjgOupB

https://youtu.be/O9NPR_ueEpE?si=DbAmmKA3RXPLIpc2

Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was most famous for his children’s books; he was also a cartoonist, a poet, a playwright, and a song writer.

His books include: The Giving Tree (1964), Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974), A Light in the Attic (1981), Falling Up (1996), Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book, among others.

He also wrote songs performed by: Johnny Cash “A Boy Named Sue,” Emmylou Harris “Queen of the Silver Dollar,” and The Irish Rovers “Unicorn Song.” He collaborated on the David Mamet screenplay Things Change (1988).

Shel Silverstein won two Grammy Awards, and was nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. He was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame (2014), and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2002).

WHEN I AM GONE
When I am gone what will you do?
Who will write and draw for you?
Someone smarter—someone new?
Someone better—maybe YOU!

- Shel Silverstein

Veteran: Army. Served in Japan and Korea

Alum:
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Albany Park - Chicago
University of Illinois
Chicago Academy of Fine Arts

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Honorary Shel Silverstein WAY

Northwest Corner of North Kimball Avenue and West Wilson Avenue - to the Southwest Corner of North Kimball Avenue and West Leland Avenue *

 

Approved: March 2024

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Albany Park

b. September 25, 1930 in Chicago
d. May 10, 1999. Age 67. Key West, Florida

Near:
Theodore Roosevelt High School
3436 W. Wilson Avenue

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Source

20247233

https://www.shelsilverstein.com/about-shel/

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/shel-silverstein

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/11/books/shel-silverstein-zany-writer-and-cartoonist-dies-at-67.html

* Amended July 2024 - changed location of sign

Anthony Canadeo

Anthony Canadeo played football for the Green Bay Packers, where he was outstanding at rushing the ball down the field, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and played college football for the Gonzaga University Bulldogs in Colorado where he was known as the “Gray Ghost of Gonzaga” due to his prematurely gray hair. After retiring from the Packers after the 1952 season he became a sportscaster for games on WBAY-TV in Green Bay. in 1971 he received at kidney transplant from his son. Anthony lived until the age of 84 in 2003.

Veteran: Army WWII

Alum
Gonzaga University, Colorado
Steinmetz High School, Chicago
Foreman High School, Chicago

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Honorary Anthony Canadeo WAY

West Diversey Avenue between North Oak Park Avenue to North Rutherford Avenue

 

Approved: April 2023

Ward: 36
Alderman: Gilbert Villegas
Neighborhood: Elmwood Park

b. 1919
d. 2003. Age 84

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Source

20231314

https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/canadeo-anthony-robert-tony

Otis Clay

Otis Clay was a singer of soul and R&B music. He was born in Mississippi and came to Chicago in 1957 as a gospel singer.

In 2013 he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame

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Honorary Otis Clay Way

West Cermak Road, from South Kildare Avenue to South Kolin Avenue

 

Approved: January 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

b. February 11, 1942. Mississippi
d. January 8, 2016. Age 73. Chicago

Buried in Oak Woods Cemetery Chicago

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Source

20215725

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan, a Grammy Award winning singer and musician is known as the “Queen of Funk,” although she was also known for R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel music. She started her career in the band, Rufus, before launching her highly successful solo career. In 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

She was born Yvette Marie Stevens in Chicago, and took the name Chaka as her spiritual name, and the name Khan as her married name. She was a regular performer on the TV show - Soul Train.

July 28, 2013 is Chaka Khan Day in Chicago.

Alum
Kenwood High School
Calumet High School
St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School

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Honorary Chaka Khan Way

South Blackstone between East Hyde Park Avenue and East 50th Street

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Approved: 2013

Neighborhood: Kenwood

b. March 23, 1953 in Chicago

near
Kenwood Academy High School
5015 S. Blackstone

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Souce

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Khan

https://www.kenwoodacademy.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=186512&type=d&pREC_ID=376144

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Khan

https://chakakhanmusicwebsite.com/

Honorary Chicago Guidebook, Second Edition, Michigan Avenue and Beyond