Chicago pre-trip #5 - Great Chicago musicians

Everything you need to know about a city you can find out from its musicians.

Which is why, in Winnipeg, we look to Burton Cummings, the Crash Test Dummies, Neil Young, Randy Bachman, and - er - Chantal Kreviazuk to come to us during times of trouble, like so many Mother Marys.

In Chicago, they have a whole waft of musicians to choose from, but here's a good cross section to show what we're dealing with (the exhaustive list on Wikipedia):

1. Liz Phair


Phair sings of her beloved homeland.


2. Smashing Pumpkins


Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight

When will the bald man finally get a fair shake?


3. Buddy Guy


Guy can play. Taught him everything he knows.


4. Steve Miller


Abracadabra rhymes with "grab ya," I'm told.


5. Urge Overkill


Folks like me have to go it alone. Cos, baby, I'm a rollin' stone. Cheque please.


6. Sam Cooke


What a wonderful world it would be if ifs and buts were candies and nuts.


7. Warren Zevon


Lawyers. Check. Guns. Check. Money. D'oh!


8. The Byrds


The best Dylan cover band ever.


9. Felix da Housecat


Run, Ronnie, Run!


10. Muddy Waters


My two favorite ways to spend the holidays.