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Chicago is the city that claims to be first in regards to many things. This episode has a bit of that but also stories about the first time certain events happened in the windy city. The band Nirvana's first visit to Chicago, the first ski resort in Chicago city limits, the first film studio established by an African American, the first animal cartoon, and more!

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Jacob Slichter is a composer, singer, author, professor, NPR commentator, contributor to The New York Times, and a drummer in the band Semisonic ("Closing Time" "Secret Smile" "F.N.T."). I talked to Jacob recently about his experiences visiting Chicago from his hometown of Champaign, IL when he was still in high school to playing rock shows in the Windy City at places like Lounge Ax, Metro, and others.

Signed copy of Jacob's book: https://tinderboxmusic.com/jacobslichter/
Semisonic: http://semisonic.com/

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected])
https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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It is a film that tops many Chicagoans’ lists of their favorite movies shot mainly here in the second city and most certainly is a huge part of Chicago history. Today, June 20th, 2020, marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of the much-loved film.

In this episode we look at The Blues Brothers – not just the making of the movie, but the creation of the iconic characters known as Jake and Elwood Blues, and their indelible mark on pop culture and Chicago history.

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Chicago-based theater director Gary Griffin's bio is too long to fit in this space (wow, this guy has been busy), but a few notable mentions include working with Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre, directing multiple Stephen Sondheim productions at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directing The Color Purple on Broadway as well as other high profile musicals like Footloose and Honeymoon in Vegas. He has also been twice been named a "Chicagoan of the Year in the Arts" by the Chicago Tribune.

Before all of the above, Gary ventured out to the western suburbs of Chicago to direct a junior college production of The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer's play about the AIDS crisis in New York in the early 80's.

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected])
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Was she a good girl gone bad, as some news reports would have you believe, or was Wanda Stopa a naïve, lovestruck woman taken advantage of by an older man? Either way, this is a story that rocked Chicago's news in April of 1924, when the youngest female attorney in Chicago's history got into a cab with murder on her mind.

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Hannah Stanley has worked in radio and television for over 20 years. Her experience includes hosting live programs on multiple stations, including WGN, one of the most well-respected stations here in Chicago, and hosting a variety of podcasts. What I really wanted to hear about was Hannah's first time taking the stage to perform stand up comedy, 20+ years after first saying she really wanted to try it.

Gabby Road with Hannah, Fred, and Justin:
http://gabbyroadradio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GabbyRoadRadio/

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Sure, Chicago has the National Hockey League's much loved Chicago Blackhawks and also the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, but what about that OTHER Chicago hockey team? Today's we're discussing the Chicago Cougars, a short-lived team from the World Hockey Association in the 1970s!

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Marvin Mason published his first novel Curse of Black Hawk's Treasure well into his 50's and in the first year after being published is on track to have 10 works in print. Hear more about Mason's pursuit of a literary life.

Marvin Mason -
https://gaylord112317.wixsite.com/authormarvinmason/blp-releases
https://smile.amazon.com/Marvin-Mason/e/B084D4P9QB?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1591207098&sr=8-1

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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It was an innovative idea in its day - a 200 store indoor shopping center 35 miles outside of Chicago with a 31-ride amusement park in the middle. Unfortunately, once you throw in costly delays, waning attendance, lackluster store selection, competition, and a trapeze death, that's when trouble starts.

This is the story of Old Chicago, billed at the time as the "world's first enclosed combination theme park and shopping center," which in five years went from the next big thing to bust.

Show some love for the podcast for the cost of a cup of coffee and help offset production costs:
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Amazon Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):

BOOKS:

History Lover's Guide to Chicago, A by Greg Borzo
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Fodor's Chicago (Full Color Travel Guide)
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CHICAGO ITEMS (PERFECT FOR GIFT GIVING):

Greenline Goods Whiskey Glasses - 10 Oz Tumbler Gift Set for Chicago lovers, Etched with Chicago Map | Old Fashioned Rocks Glass - Set of 2
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Chicago Map Coasters by O3 Design Studio, Set Of 4, Sapele Wooden Coaster With City Map, Handmade
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider (angeleyesartjks  AT gmail.com) and on https://www.instagram.com/angeleyesartjks/
 
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Ralph Covert has been a working musician in Chicago since the late 80's, and with his band The Bad Examples has had many memorable shows. I recently talked to Ralph and asked about his Chicago First story playing as a band. I got that and much more.
 
Ralph Covert:
www.ralphcovert.com
www.waterdogrecords.com

Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music:
Ralph Covert & The Bad Examples
Ralph's World

Chicago History Podcast ([email protected]):
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twitter.com/chicago_pod
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Chicago History Podcast Art by John K. Schneider ([email protected]) and on Instagram @angeleyesartjks.
 
Like, subscribe, and review! Much appreciated.

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