'The Chief' Sings the Blues Like a Kid in 77th Birthday Concert

Eddy Clearwater is Skokie's top bluesman, and his fans showed their appreciation Saturday night in a special performance that helped honor his long life as an entertainer.

Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater put feelings into his latest performance at Space in Evanston. The Mississippi native grew up and lived in Skokie for much of his life and celebrated his 77th birthday with a special performance on Saturday night. How do you define the blues? “The blues is about stories of truth,” replied Clearwater.  “It's stories you know about. It’s being honest and telling the truth about it. It’s bringing it out (in song). “You got to bring out the feeling of the song. It’s about something that has a deeper meaning, it’s not just words, it’s the feeling about those words. You can feel broken-hearted about a lover, something you’re sentimental about, you’ve got to put that feeling into what you’re saying.” Skokie’s most …

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