Skokie Theatre Gets a Case of the Blues

A legendary blues artist is lending some of his soul and funk to the Skokie Theatre this weekend.  Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater will be hitting the stage Sunday as part of an effort to save the historic theater from foreclosure.

"I had read someplace that they were having difficulty," Clearwater said. "I'm glad they asked me.  I said I would love to do it for free."

Skokie has been Clearwater's hometown for the last 15 years, but his roots originated in the South.

Clearwater was born Edward Harrington in Macon, MS, and his family moved to Birmingham, AL, in 1948. At the age of 15, an uncle persuaded him to move to Chicago.

"My uncle told me if I wanted to pursue music, Chicago was the place to be," Clearwater said.

The 75-year-old left-handed guitarist never had any formal music lessons.  He taught himself how to play the guitar and had no idea he could carry a tune until his uncle tricked him into performing.

"My uncle would have get-togethers. So one time he set up a guitar and an amp in the basement of the house.  After he plugged in the microphone, he announced to all his friends, 'And now we're going to have my nephew sing a song.' "

That was his first attempt at singing, and it has been history ever since.

His sound has been described by Downbeat magazine as a "forceful six-stringer" who can lay down "some gritty West Side shuffles and belly-grinding slow blues that highlight his raw chops, soulful vocals and earthy humorous lyrics."

Clearwater said his vocals were inspired by singers from a wide range of genres, including rock 'n' roll and country music.

"I like a lot of energy in my music. I love Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. I mix all their sounds together when I sing," he said.

Clearwater has a penchant for hats and dons several during his performances, including an elaborate Native American headdress as a ode to his ancestors.  He says his persona while performing is completely different when he's off  the stage.

"I'm very active on stage," he explained. "But off stage, I'm a very shy person. It doesn't feel as natural as when I'm on stage." 

Randy Miles, president of the Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie and owner of Village Inn pizzeria, is the driving force behind Sunday's fund-raiser and musical performances.

"Eddy has been a staple in our community," Miles said. "And when I told him about the concert, he and his wife were willing to jump in and help out."

The landmark theater is in receivership. With foreclosure looming, its operations manager, Al Curtis, is doing all he can to keep the venue open.

"We are hoping to raise enough money to make the right offer to the bank," Curtis said. "I believe somehow we will be able to save this place. It's a great place to listen to music."

The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., opened in 1912 as the Niles Center Theater, with sitting for more than 400 people. The art-deco building was remodeled and renamed in the 1940s. For years, it was the place to watch movies, including independent films.

In 2005, the theater, which had fallen into disrepair, was acquired by the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.  It has since been converted using $1.5 million in funding into a small concert venue with 140 seats.

"It's meant to be a place to listen to music, and it's been great to give up-and-coming musicians a place to perform," said Curtis, the foundation's associate executive director.

A number of acts are lined up to help the cause, which kicks off with a performance by The Chief.

"I'm so thankful.  My fans have given me so much, and I'm trying to give back," Clearwater said.

Though the doors officially open at 6 p.m., fans can come at 4 p.m. to meet and mingle with Clearwater. 

Tickets to Sunday's concert are $25 at the door and can be purchased online at http://eddythechief.eventbrite.com. All proceeds will go to save the Skokie Theatre.

Also, the North Suburban Business Development Foundation of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations.

For more information, go to www.skokietheatre.com.