The Chicago Music Scene: 1960s and 1970s

This is the story of two decades of the Chicago music scene-the 1960s and 1970s, an incredibly vibrant period in urban and suburban music scenes across the country and throughout the world. Chicago was a major player throughout those decades. It was a time when jazz, rock and roll, country and western, folk, blues, and R & B flowed through the streets of Chicagoland. Much has been written about the national and international talent of that time, but not enough has been written regarding local music scenes. This story focuses on the city of Chicago (along with its suburban club scene) and the homegrown performers who made the 1960s and 1970s one of the most electrifying and memorable periods in music history. Some of those players went all the way to the big time, while others made their mark and disappeared. But they all made a difference in their own way, and for those who were there, it is a time they will never forget.

About the Author :
Dean Milano has been making music in Chicago since 1966, playing bass and singing in numerous bands and shows. He was there when it all happened-and has lived to tell about it.

Review :
Title: Book inspiring '60s, '70s Author: Lilli Kuzma Publisher: The Doings Hinsdale Date: 11/12/09 Even before he wrote The Chicago Music Scene 1960s and 1970s (Arcadia Publishing), Dean Milano could claim that he wrote the book on music from back in the day. Milano, 58, of Elmhurst, is a new author but a veteran musician, part of the Chicago music community since his early teens. Estimating that he has played with upwards of 75 bands of all genres, Milano made a living as a full-time musician for over 20 years. He has played rock 'n roll, folk, country and western, jazz, show tunes, Cajun music, and more. Years ago, in the '60s, you were in one band. Then, about 1980 or '81, the work started to get slim, not enough to keep one band busy. So musicians started jobbing with different bands, and even forming different bands for various (styles of) music, he said. Milano subsequently worked as a product developer for Revell-Monogram, designing model series, kits, and writing descriptions and instructions. He opened a Toy and Model Museum, which he operates as an online business at www.toys-n-cars.com. But, even during the lean times, he always kept playing music. Well-respected as a bassist (upright and electric), Milano has emerged as a singer-songwriter in recent years, releasing two albums of original material that has seen widespread airplay. But Milano couldn't forgot the way things used to be for musicians in the Chicago area, how vibrant and busy all the musicians were in the '60s and '70s. Then, in June of 2008, a friend of mine, Rusty Ward, showed me a book he had written on the history of Glen Ellyn. I was really impressed. But my wife said, 'You're such a good writer, you could write a book.' Milano thought about her comment, and soon knew what topic he could write about: the Chicago music scene of the '60s and '70s, something he knew all about and which he had personally experienced. Running the idea by Arcadia Publishing, who had published his friend's book, Milano got the green light to go ahead with his project. Arcadia publishes 'pictorial image' books. I liked the concept of the photos with the acts, said Milano. I decided I wanted to give recognition to all of the players who did so much for music, many who aren't recognized any more. Milano's book was released on Nov. 9, and is now on the shelves at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and also available through amazon.com. With Lonnie Brooks on the cover, grooving before a crowd of enthused onlookers, the book is chock full of vintage photos, many from private collections. Milano's succinct but descriptive text revitalizes all-but-forgotten bands like H.P. Lovecraft and Bangor Flying Circus. There are scenes from the Old Town School and The Earl of Old Town, the Wise Fools Pub, among many others. There are also a few youthful pictures of the author, at his first paying gig at Richards Restaurant in Berwyn in 1966, and later with the rock band, Grope. Chapters cover folk and acoustic, blues, R&B, soul, country, bluegrass, jazz, big band, rock and pop. It's great to look back at these pictures, as opposed to just pages and pages of text. You can almost hear the music just by looking at the faces. The people I've shown the book to can't put it down, can't stop looking at it, Milano said. What's really cool is that some bands from that era are getting back together because of the book, like the Roseland Band. A Chicago Pop Festival is being planned for spring, which will feature more than 50 vintage and ongoing acts included in Milano's book. The Chicago Music Scene 1960s and 1970s By Dean Milano. Book launch and Pop Festival preview party 1-6 p.m. Nov. 22 at The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, Chicago. Book signing and concert 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Guitar Works, 709 Main St., Evanston. Book signing 1-3 p.m. Nov. 14, at Barnes & Noble, 1550 W. 75th St., Downers Grove and signing with music at 9 p.m. at Gabe's Backstage Lounge, 214 Green Bay Road, Highwood. www.chicagopopfestival.com. Title: Book release party to end all book release parties Author: Gary Tuber Publisher: Chicago Folk Music Examiner Date: 11/9/2009 The Book: Chicago Music Scene: 1960's and 1970's. Arcadia Publishing, 128 Pages, $21.99 Finally completed and available this week, Dean Milano's chronical of the prolific Chicago music scene of the 1960's and 1970's encompasses all areas of popular music: rock, folk, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, bluegrass and country and western. Lots and lots of photos, stories, and remembrances of individuals and groups whose flame died quickly, as well as those who went on to national prominence. This was a volume destined to come together. Dean tells the story of when he and Bob Diamond were discussing the book over dinner, lamenting that he could not figure out a way to get in touch with jazz horn player Bobby Lewis. Too corney to make up, so it must be true, but who do you think was sitting two tables away? Well, it wasn't Louis Armstrong. Dean wouldn't lie about that, would he? The book's release will be celebrated on November 22 at the Abbey Pub, 3422 W. Grace, Chicago. A few performers have enthusiastically agreed to appear, such as Muriel Anderson, Al Day, Chris Farrell, Ronnie, Rice, Norm Siegel, and maybe a couple dozen others, plus some members of a band or two, such as Shadows of Night, Special Consensus Alumni Band, Wilderness Road, Saturday's Children, the Cascades, Unity Bluegrass, and others. In other words, it will be continuous music from 1 PM until they flash the lights for us to get out - and maybe a little while longer. In case you already forgot: Abby Pub, 3420 W. Grace, Chicago Sunday, November 22. 1 PM to... who knows? Cost: In advance, $20, or $40 including a copy of the book. Concert price includes a great food spread. Abbey holds between 500 and 600, but it may very well sell out in advance, so go to chicagopopfestival.com or brownpapertickets.com to buy tickets. At the door the price will be $5 more, if there are any tickets left. Don't worry, the Bears will be so far out of the playoffs by then that we will all be looking for something else to do on a Sunday afternoon. Oh, and congratulations to Dean Milano for competing the book, and for organizing the pop celebration. Title: New Chicago Music Scene Book features area musicians Author: Staff Writer Publisher: Triblocal Date: 10/21/09 Gary and Joan Gand, owners of Gand Music and Sound of Northfield, and legendary Chicago soul vocalist Jimy Rogers of Buffalo Grove, and their band, The Mauds, will be featured in a new book by area musician and author Dean Milano. The trio will be performing their unique blend of rock and soul at a special show celebrating Milano's new book: The Chicago Music Scene, 1960s and 1970s. Milano will be on hand to sign books and to sit in with the band, as well as special guest Jimy Sohns from the Shadows of Knight. The book, which will be released on November 9, will be available for purchase at the event, and the artists will be on hand for the book-signing. The Mauds have been back together with a new band since August of 2009. Jimy Rogers also performs regularly with the Gands in their blues band Blue Road. The Mauds recorded their Hold On album for Mercury Records in 1967. The Maud's screamin' cover of Hold On roared up the Top 40 singles charts in the summer of '67 on both WLS and WCFL radio stations. Their 1968 hit, Soul Drippin' -- featured members of the fledgling horn band CTA, soon to be called Chicago. When: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:00 PM Where: Gabe's Backstage Lounge, 214 Green Bay Rd, Highwood, IL, 60040 (847) 266-1313 Cover charge: $10 The book is $21.99. Special pricing on the book will be available to attendees of this show. For more info see: www.themauds.com www.blueroadchicago.com Title: Relive Chicago's Musical History in New Book Author: Staff Writer Publisher: Our Village Chicago Date: 11/6/09 Local author captures Chicago music scene of the 1960s and 70s Uncover two decades worth of stories from the Chicago music scene in the new photographic history book from Arcadia Publishing and local musician Dean Milano, The Chicago Music Scene: 1960s and 1970s. During an incredibly vibrant period in urban and suburban music scenes across the country, Chicago was a major player throughout the '60s and '70s. It was a time when jazz, rock and roll, country and western, folk, blues, and R & B flowed through the streets of Chicagoland. Much has been written about the national and international talent of that time, but not enough has been written about local hometown music history. This book focuses on the city of Chicago, along with its suburban club scene, and the homegrown performers who made the '60s and '70s one of the most electrifying and memorable periods in music history. Some of those players went all the way to the big time, while others made their mark and disappeared. They all made a difference in their own way, and for those who were there, it is a time they will never forget. Author Dean Milano hopes the book will give some recognition to a few forgotten artists who deserve to be heard again, and stir up some nice memories for those who were lucky enough to hear the music of that time. H Highlights of The Chicago Music Scene: 1960s and 1970s: Many of the images in the book are from private collections and have never been seen before. Numerous musicians provided fascinating personal stories and bits of information not even their fans know! The book showcases a bevy of vintage images of bands and musicians before they made it big. Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888)-313-2665. Title: The Chicago Pop Festival Author: Ken Utterback Publisher: Nashville Music Examiner Date: 11/6/2009 It was just about a year ago today that I received the first of many emails from Dean Milano, an old musical acquaintance of mine from the late 1960's. After a quick introduction and reminder of our affiliations, he told me about a book that he was in the process of writing, about the vibrant Chicago music scene of the 1960's and 1970's. He went on to ask me if I had anything to submit, since I was very involved in that very scene so many years ago. Naturally, I was honored to be asked to contribute to such a project. and began putting some ideas in an email, along with photos of groups I had worked with during those years. In the following months, as more stories and photos started coming in from all over Chicagoland, the book, titled The Chicago Music Scene: 1960's and 1970's, became the seed of something a whole lot bigger. Not long ago, an all-star jam was suggested and eventually scheduled for this month. A wildfire of interest and support soon began to flourish and what had been born as a book project quickly started to grow by leaps and bounds. As of now, the book signings are happening this month at a variety of Chicago locations and the November show has become so popular, that a full-blown pop festival is scheduled for this Spring. The November 22nd event will now only be the first part of the whole shebang. The book release party will be a huge 'meet and greet' with food and drinks and a show which includes plenty of performers whose names and stories are in the book. The much larger event, The Chicago Pop Festival, looks like it will become a very significant part of Chicago's music history. There is still time to get discounted tickets for the first half of this immense production, but I suggest you hurry it up, if you wish to be present for the first part of this historical musical event. Did I hear somebody say, Road trip!? Heck, it's only eight hours from Nashville; I do it all the time.