List of musicians from Chicago

The following list includes notable musicians who were born or have lived in Chicago, Illinois.

Municipal Flag of the City of Chicago


A
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Emma Abbott Dec 9, 1850 Jan 5, 1891 Operatic soprano and impresario Born in Chicago [1]
Lil Hardin Armstrong Feb 3, 1898 Aug 27, 1971 Pianist and bandleader Lived and performed in Bronzeville, Chicago neighborhood
Emilie Autumn Sep 22, 1979 Violindustrial singer, violinist, poet, and author
Myron Avant

(a.k.a. Avant)

 Apr 26, 1978 Singer

B
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Patricia Barber Nov 8, 1955 Jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Born in Chicago
William Beckett Feb 11, 1985 Lead singer of The Academy Is...
Taylor Bennett Jan 19, 1996 Rapper Born in Chicago
Franz Benteler 1925 2010 Violinist, "Ambassador of Music for Chicago" Lived in Chicago
Andrew Bird Jul 11, 1973 Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Born in Chicago
Zach Blair Guitarist for Rise Against
Harold Bradley Jr. Oct 13, 1929 Singer of spirituals and blues, painter, actor, TV host, former football player, founder of Italy's iconic Folkstudio music club Born in Chicago
Oscar Brown Jr. Oct 10, 1926 May 29, 2005 Musician, poet Born in Chicago
Bob Bryar December 31, 1979 Drummer of My Chemical Romance Born in Chicago
Johnny Burke Oct 3, 1908 Lyricist Raised in Chicago [2]
Paul Butterfield Dec 17, 1942 May 4, 1987 Blues musician Born in Chicago

C
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Marty Casey Sep 26, 1973 Frontman of the rock band Lovehammers Born in Chicago
Peter Cetera Sep 13, 1944 Former singer and bassist of Chicago Born in Chicago
Jimmy Chamberlin Jun 10, 1964 Drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins
Chance the Rapper

(born Chancelor Bennett)

 Apr 16, 1993 Rapper Born in Chicago
Gene Chandler Jul 6, 1937 Singer Born in Chicago
Chief Keef

(born Keith Cozart)

 Aug 15, 1995 Rapper Born in Chicago
Charles W. Clark Oct 15, 1865 Aug 4, 1925 Operatic baritone and vocalist teacher Lived in Chicago [3]
Nat King Cole Mar 17, 1919 Feb 15, 1965 Singer Lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago [4]
Steve Cole Aug 17, 1971 Jazz saxophonist Born in Chicago
Steve Coleman Sep 20, 1956 Saxophonist Born in Chicago
Sam Cooke Jan 22, 1931 Dec 11, 1964 Singer [5]
Billy Corgan Mar 17, 1967 Singer and guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Lived in Chicago [6]
James Cotton Jul 1, 1935 Mar 16, 2017 Blues musician

D
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jack DeJohnette Aug 9, 1942 Drummer and pianist Born in Chicago
Famous Dex September 6, 1993 Rapper
Dennis DeYoung Feb 18, 1947 Singer and keyboardist of Styx
Bo Diddley

(born Ellas Otha Bates)

 Dec 30, 1928 Jun 2, 2008 Rock and roll guitarist, singer, and songwriter Lived in Chicago [7]
Willie Dixon Jul 1, 1915 Jan 29, 1992 Blues songwriter and record producer
Florence Kirsch Du Brul 1915 Jul 2, 2005 Classical pianist
Lil Durk Oct 19, 1992 Rapper

E
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Kurt Elling Nov 2, 1967 Singer Born and began his career in Chicago
Phil Everly Jan 19, 1939 Jan 3, 2014 Singer Born in Chicago

F
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jeremih Felton

(a.k.a. Jeremih)

 Jul 17, 1987 Singer Born in Chicago
Paul Filipowicz March 24, 1950 Chicago blues musician Born in Chicago [8]
Drew Fortier July 14, 1987 Guitarist for Bang Tango, Chuck Mosley, Stephen Shareaux, and Zen From Mars Born and raised in Chicago [9][10]
Bud Freeman Apr 13, 1906 Mar 15, 1991 Jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer Born, worked and died in Chicago
Von Freeman Oct 3, 1923 Aug 11, 2012 Jazz saxophonist Born, worked and died in Chicago
Alexander Frey Oct 5, 1972 Conductor, pianist, organist, harpsichordist and composer Born and grew up in Chicago
Kinky Friedman

(born Richard S. Friedman)

 Nov 1, 1944 Singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist Born in Chicago
Harvey Fuqua Jul 27, 1929 Jul 6, 2010 Singer, songwriter, and music producer

G
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Polo G Jan 6, 1999 Rapper
Marla Glen Jan 3, 1960 Singer Born and grown up in Chicago
Benny Goodman May 30, 1909 Jun 13, 1986 Bandleader Born in Chicago
Steve Goodman Jul 25, 1948 Sep 20, 1984 Singer Born in Chicago
Gene Greene Jun 9, 1857 Apr 5, 1930 Singer
Buddy Guy Jul 30, 1936 Blues guitarist
Rashawnna Guy

(a.k.a. Shawnna)

 Jan 3, 1978 Rapper Born in Chicago

H
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jim Hager Aug 30, 1941 Singer Born in Chicago
Jon Hager Aug 30, 1941 Singer Born in Chicago
Terry Hanck 1944 Blues saxophonist and singer Born in Chicago [11]
Herbie Hancock Apr 12, 1940 Jazz pianist, bandleader and composer Born in Chicago
Eddie Harris Oct 20, 1934 Nov 5, 1996 Jazz saxophonist Born in Chicago
Shawntae Harris

(a.k.a. Da Brat)

 Apr 14, 1974 Rapper
Jarad Anthony Higgins

(a.k.a. Juice Wrld)

 Dec 2, 1998 Dec 8, 2019 Rapper Born in Chicago
Art Hodes Nov 14, 1904 Mar 4, 1993 Jazz pianist Raised in Chicago, worked there for many years
Loleatta Holloway Nov 5, 1946 Mar 21, 2011 Singer Born in Chicago
Howlin' Wolf

(born Chester Arthur Burnett)

 Jun 10, 1910 Jan 10, 1976 Musician [12]
Jennifer Hudson Sep 12, 1981 Singer, actress, spokesperson, American Idol finalist Born in Chicago
Andy Hurley May 31, 1980 Drummer for Fall Out Boy

I
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
James Iha Mar 26, 1968 Guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Born in Chicago
Daniel Ivankovich Nov 23, 1963 Blues guitarist and vocalist Raised and lives in Chicago

J
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco

(a.k.a. Lupe Fiasco)

 Feb 17, 1982 Rapper Born in Chicago
Ramone Johnson

(a.k.a. Cashis)

 Oct 10, 1982 Rapper Born in Chicago
Syleena Johnson Sep 2, 1976 Singer
Donell Jones May 22, 1973 Singer and composer Born in Chicago
Quincy Jones March 14, 1933 Record producer Born in Chicago
Benn Jordan Oct 28, 1978 Electronic musician

K
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Lucy Kaplansky Feb 16, 1960 Folk singer Born in Chicago
Terry Kath Jan 31, 1946 Jan 23, 1978 Singer and guitarist of Chicago Born in Chicago
Brendan Kelly Sep 8, 1976 Bassist and vocalist of punk band The Lawrence Arms
R. Kelly Jan 8, 1967 R&B singer Born in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago
Chaka Khan Mar 23, 1953 Singer ("Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing" which she wrote for her then husband Richard Holland, "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire") Born in Chicago
William Wallace Kimball 1828 1904 Founder of Kimball Piano Company
Gene Krupa Jan 15, 1909 Oct 16, 1973 Drummer and bandleader Born in Chicago

L
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Robert Lamm Oct 13, 1944 Singer and keyboardist of Chicago Grew up in Chicago
Ramsey Lewis May 27, 1935 Jazz pianist and composer Born in Chicago
Timothy Michael Linton

(a.k.a. Zim Zum)

 Jun 25, 1969 Guitarist and songwriter for Marilyn Manson, The Pop Culture Suicides Born in Chicago
Nils Lofgren Jun 21, 1951 Member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, former backing musician for Neil Young Born in Chicago
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.

(a.k.a. Common)

 Mar 13, 1972 Rapper Born in Chicago

M
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Ray Manzarek Feb 12, 1939 May 20, 2013 Keyboardist of The Doors Born in Chicago [13]
Richard Marx Sep 16, 1963 Singer and songwriter Born in Chicago
Curtis Mayfield Jun 3, 1942 Dec 26, 1999 Songwriter and guitarist Born in Chicago
Tim McIlrath Nov 3, 1978 Lead singer and guitarist for Rise Against
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi

(a.k.a. Kid Cudi)

 Jan 30, 1984 Rapper
Carl Terrell Mitchell

(a.k.a. Twista)

 Nov 27, 1973 Rapper Born in Chicago
Tom Morello May 30, 1964 Guitarist
McKinley Morganfield

(a.k.a. Muddy Waters)

 Apr 4, 1913 Apr 30, 1983 Blues musician Lived in Chicago [12]

N
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Wayne Nelson Jun 1, 1950 Lead singer of Little River Band
Anastacia Lyn Newkirk

(a.k.a. Anastacia)

 Sep 17, 1968 Singer Born in Chicago

O
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jim O'Rourke Jan 18, 1969 Experimental musician Born in Chicago

P
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Keke Palmer Aug 26, 1993 Singer actress
Chuck Panozzo Sep 20, 1948 Bass guitarist for Styx Born in Chicago
John Panozzo Sep 20, 1948 Jul 16, 1996 Drummer for Styx Grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago
Walter Parazaider Mar 14, 1945 Woodwind player for Chicago Born in Chicago
Sol Patches Rapper and poet Born and resides in Chicago [14]
Tom Paxton Oct 31, 1937 Folk singer, songwriter Born in Chicago
Liz Phair Apr 17, 1967 Singer
Rachel Barton Pine Oct 11, 1974 Violinist Born in Chicago
Omar Jeffery Pineiro May 15, 1997 Rapper, known professionally as Smokepurpp Born in Chicago
Joe Principe Nov 14, 1974 Bassist for Rise Against Born in Chicago
John Prine Oct 10, 1946 Folk singer, songwriter Born in Chicago
Vicky Psarakis Jun 22, 1988 Vocalist for The Agonist Born in Chicago

R
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Ryan Raddon

(a.k.a. Kaskade)

 Feb 25, 1971 Electronic musician Born in Chicago
Mishon Ratliff Feb 3, 1993 Singer and actor
Lou Rawls Dec 1, 1933 Jan 6, 2006 Singer Born in Chicago [7]
Minnie Riperton Nov 8, 1947 Jul 12, 1979 Singer Born in Chicago

S
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Danny Seraphine Aug 28, 1948 Drummer of the band Chicago Born in Chicago
Peniel D. Shin Mar 10, 1993 Rapper and vocalist for BtoB
Silver Sphere Aug 26, 1999 Singer-songwriter Born and raised in Chicago [15]
Matt Skiba Feb 24, 1976 Lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio and blink-182 Born in Chicago
Che Smith

(a.k.a. Rhymefest)

 Jul 6, 1977 Rapper Born in Chicago
Patti Smith Dec 30, 1946 Singer, songwriter and poet Born in Chicago
Horatio Spafford Oct 20, 1828 Oct 16, 1888 Composer
Donita Sparks Apr 8, 1962 Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and founder of bands L7 and Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments; one of the founders of the pro-choice organisation Rock for Choice and of CASH Music Born in Chicago [16]
Mavis Staples Jul 10, 1939 Singer Born in Chicago
Patrick Stump Apr 27, 1984 Lead singer and guitarist for Fall Out Boy Born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston
Todd Sucherman May 2, 1969 Drummer for the band Styx Born in Chicago
Johnny Suh Feb 9, 1995 Rapper, vocalist and dancer for NCT 127, a sub-unit of the k-pop boygroup NCT Born and raised in Chicago [17]
William Susman Aug 29, 1960 Composer
Earl Sweatshirt
Feb 24, 1994 Rapper, producer, and songwriter Born and raised in Chicago

T
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Eddie Taylor Jr. March 27, 1972 March 8, 2019 Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Born in Chicago [18]
Koko Taylor Sep 28, 1928 Jun 3, 2009 Singer Lived and died in Chicago
Theodore Roosevelt Taylor

(a.k.a. Hound Dog Taylor)

 Apr 12, 1915 Dec 17, 1975 Guitarist
Kim Thayil Sep 4, 1960 Guitarist of Soundgarden
Doug Timm Jun 14, 1960 Jul 21, 1989 Composer and songwriter Born in Chicago
Giorgio Tozzi Jan 8, 1923 May 30, 2011 Basso Born in Chicago
Lennie Tristano Mar 19, 1919 Nov 18, 1978 Pianist Born in Chicago
Joe Trohman Sep 1, 1984 Guitarist for Fall Out Boy
Jeff Tweedy Aug 25, 1967 Singer and songwriter
Twista Nov 27, 1973 Rapper Born In Chicago

V
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Eddie Vedder Dec 23, 1964 Lead singer for the band Pearl Jam

W
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Jonathan Jacob Walker Sep 17, 1985 Bassist for Panic at the Disco
Christian Ward

(a.k.a. Yung Berg)

 Sep 9, 1986 Rapper Born in Chicago
Dinah Washington Aug 29, 1924 Dec 14, 1963 Singer [5]
DeAndre Cortez Way

(a.k.a. Soulja Boy)

 Jul 28, 1990 Rapper Born in Chicago
Pete Wentz Jun 5, 1979 Bassist and lyricist for Fall Out Boy
Paul Wertico Jan 5, 1953 Jazz drummer Born in Chicago
Kanye West Jun 8, 1977 Rapper and producer Grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago
Pharez Whitted 1960 Jazz trumpeter, composer, educator Chicago, 2001-present
Wesley Willis May 31, 1963 Aug 21, 2003 Singer born in Chicago
Dion Wilson

(a.k.a. No ID)

 Hip hop and R&B record producer Born in Chicago
D'arcy Wretzky May 1, 1968 Bassist for Smashing Pumpkins
Herbert Wright

(a.k.a. G Herbo)

 Oct 8, 1995 Rapper Born in Chicago
Juice Wrld Dec 2, 1998 Dec 8, 2019 Rapper Born in Chicago

Y
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Camille Yarbrough Jan 8, 1938 Singer, author, actress Born in Chicago
James Young Nov 14, 1949 Guitarist for Styx Born in Chicago

Z
Name Image Birth Death Known for Association Reference
Warren Zevon Jan 24, 1947 Sep 7, 2003 Singer Born in Chicago

Bands
Name Image Founded Disbanded Music Association Reference
88 Fingers Louie 1993 2011 Punk band Founded in Chicago
Big Black 1981 1987 Punk/noise rock band Founded in Chicago suburb of Evanston
The Buckinghams 1966 present Sunshine pop band Founded in Chicago
Cheap Trick 1973 present Rock group Founded in Chicago, Cheap Trick plans to open a music complex on Motor Row in Chicago's South Loop [19]
The Chi-Lites 1959 present R&B soul vocal quartet Founded in Chicago
Chicago 1967 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Cobalt & the Hired Guns 2003 Punk rock band Based in Chicago [20]
Disturbed 1994 present Heavy metal band Founded in Chicago
Do or Die

(a.k.a. D.O.D.)

 1995 present Rap trio Originally from the west side of Chicago
Earth, Wind & Fire 1971 present Band spanning various genres such as soul, R&B, pop, jazz, funk, disco, rock, Latin and African Founded in Chicago [21]
The Emotions 1962 present Soul/R&B vocal group Founded in Chicago
Enuff Z'Nuff 1984 Rock band Founded in Chicago [22]
Fall Out Boy 2001 present Rock band Consider Chicago their hometown [23]
Hope in Ghosts 2001 Rock band From Chicago
The Jesus Lizard 1987 present Alternative/noise rock band Moved to Chicago in 1989, originally from Austin, Texas
Kids These Days 2009 2013 Hip hop band Founded in Chicago
Kill Hannah 1993 2015 Rock band Founded in Chicago
Krewella 2007 present Electronic trio Founded in Chicago
Lakeside Singers Ensemblé From Chicago area
Louis the Child 2013 present Electronic duo Founded in Chicago [24]
Ministry 1981 present Pioneering industrial metal band Founded in Chicago
Naked Raygun 1980 present Punk rock band Founded in Chicago
OK Go 1998 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Paul Butterfield Blues Band 1963 1971 Blues rock band, performed at Woodstock Founded in Chicago by Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield
Plain White T's 1997 present Pop punk band Founded in Chicago
Rise Against 1999 present Punk-rock group Founded in Chicago
Rufus 1970 1983 Funk and R&B band Founded in Chicago
Screeching Weasel 1986 present pioneering pop punk band Founded in the Chicago suburbs
Slow Motion Crash 2006 Rock band From Chicago [25]
The Smashing Pumpkins 1988 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Smith Westerns 2007 present Garage/indie rock band Founded in Chicago
TRS-80 1997 present Electronic Founded in Chicago
Twin Peaks 2012 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
Urge Overkill 1986 present Rock band Founded in Chicago
The White Tie Affair 2006 2012 Pop-rock band Founded in Chicago
Whitney 2015 present Indie folk/indie rock/soul band Founded in Chicago
Wilco 1994 present Alternative rock band Founded in Chicago

References
  1. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  2. "Johnny Burke". AllMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  3. John William Leonard, The Book of Chicagoans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men and Women of the City of Chicago. A.N. Marquis. 1917.
  4. Gilliland 1969, show 22.
  5. Gilliland 1969, show 17.
  6. "Billy Corgan's Chicago Condo Under Contract". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  7. Gilliland, John (1969). "The Tribal Drum: The rise of rhythm and blues" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) Show 3, track 5.
  8. "Bluesletter : Washington Blues Society" (PDF). Wablues.org. October 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  9. "Drew Fortier of Bang Tango Interview – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  10. "ZEN FROM MARS: Drew Fortier Offers A Glimpse Inside The New All-Star Band". Icon vs. Icon. August 10, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  11. "Terry Hanck - About the band". Terryhanck.net. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  12. Gilliland 1969, show 4.
  13. Gilliland 1969, show 43.
  14. "Artists". Actweb.org. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  15. "EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Silver's "Drinking Games" is for Anyone Who Has Ever Thought They Were in Love". Ones to Watch. May 4, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  16. "Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments". Npr.org. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  17. https://kprofiles.com/johnny-nct-profile-facts/
  18. "Eddie Taylor Jr. - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  19. "Cheap Trick Planning Music Complex in South Loop".
  20. "The Deli's Interview with Colbalt and The Hired Guns". July 18, 2011. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  21. "Earth, Wind & Fire | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  22. "The High-Powered Pop Flashback of Enuff Z'Nuff". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  23. "Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" & Show in Chicago Tonight". B96 Chicago. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  24. Elder, Jimmy (February 18, 2016). "Q&A with USC freshman, half of Louis the Child". Daily Trojan. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  25. "Sound menu - Sound Menu - Creative Loafing Atlanta". clatl.com. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
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