The Chicago blues community was shocked today to learn of the death of blues guitarist Chico Banks. The charismatic performer was only 47.Details are sketchy, but apparently he collapsed with a sudden illness, went into the hospital and did not recover. I will post more details and an obituary when they become available.
Vernon "Chico" Banks was born in Chicago in 1962. He was the son of Jesse Banks, guitarist with the legendary gospel group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Chico learned to play his father's guitar, and by age 15, he was jamming with friends in neighborhood garages. Soon he was picking up playing gigs around the West and South Sides, backing well-known musicians such as Johnny Christian. In the 1980s he toured Europe with the James Cotton Band and later played with Otis Clay, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Sugar Blue Artie "Blues Boy" White, Little Milton, Willie Kent, Mavis Staples, and many others.
His CD, Candy Lickin' Man
, was released by Evidence in 1997. There are unconfirmed reports he had a new CD in the works.Chico Banks was scheduled to play Friday at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted and Dec. 20 at the Harlem Avenue Lounge.
Posts
9 comments:
Slight correction: Candy Lickin Man was recorded and released by Evidence Records.
Thank you for the correction, Larry. I will edit the post.
And the world losses another legendary BLUES player. But he will be remembered and his great music will play on and on. RIP Chico!
SO SAD. I visited Chicago a couple of years ago and was absolutely blown away by Chico at B.L.U.E.S. -- one of the greatest guitarists I've ever seen. He could do it all: rock, soul, funk, and of course blues. I remember thinking at the time how unbelievable it was that he was not better known.
RIP Chico, we'll miss you.
Chico's new CD did come out and he was selling it at his gigs - I bought one at the San Jose Jazz Festival when he was there this summer. I loved his music - his guitar licks were totally awesome - and his smile lit up the world. I can't believe I won't see you again in this life, Chico - but I'll bet you're jamming with all the other late greats and lovin' it.
Incredible Tribute Video to Chico:
Youtube Link
Chico you were the BEST I've ever seen..I saw you for the first time at B.L.U.E.S...last year when the Blues Festival was downtown....It is hard to believe you are gone...RIP Chico....Halstead will never be the same
Awful news, Chico was one of the best guitarists Ive seen.
At least once a week, a fan asks me: "When's Chico gonna be around?" Looks like giving them the sad news is gonna be a long-term job. Sadness over his loss in the blues community hasn't diminished at all over the last few months. Chico was so completely alive & well the last time any of us saw & heard him: It'll be hard to ever fully believe that he's not coming out tonight & "tear the house down".
Post a Comment