We’re traveling across the US on our summer vacation, showcasing the states that are worth visiting, mentioning the great bands of singers from that part of the country. Here are more stars from the great state of Illinois…
REO Speedwagon originated from Champaign, IL; its members met while attending the University of Illinois. The band sold over 40 million albums, touring as we speak some 35 years later.
In the 80s, Richard Marx enjoyed great success with hit after hit, but we find his late father to have a more interesting story. Dick Marx grew up in Chicago as a jazz musician, but wrote radio and TV jingles to make his money. The jingles from Ken L Ration, Doublemint, Dial Soap, Kellogg’s Rasin Bran, and Nestle Crunch were written by Richard Marx’s dad, Dick.
Sam Cooke, Minnie Riperton, Curtis Mayfield, Styx, the Buckinghams, Ides of March, Chaka Kahn, Sam Cooke, and the Smashing Pumpkins all hail from Chicago. Other points of interest include Hall of Fame member Cheap Trick who come from Rockford, and the late Dan Fogelberg who hailed from Peoria.
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