Dave Hoekstra

Dancing Mr. President and Mr. Bill. (Courtesy of  Robinette family.)

 

William Robinette was more than the ringmaster of the amazing Stay Out All Night Disco in west suburban Stone Park.

He was a ringmaster of life.

Mr. Robinette died Tuesday afternoon after an extended illness. He was surrounded by his family and grandchildren. He was 73 years old. On March 12 he celebrated his 52nd anniversary with his wife Darlene.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Bill”, Mr. Robinette was an accomplished bassist-vocalist who in the early 1970s played in the touring bands of the Marcels and the Vogues. In the [...]

Dizzy Gillespie with his arm around Gerri. Dizzy Called Gerri just before his death in 1993. (Courtesy of Mike Medina) Gerri Oliver was more than a trailblazing owner of the Palm Tavern in Chicago. She was a passionate keeper of history. The Palm Tavern was at 446 E. 47th St. in the Bronzeville neighborhood. It opened in 1933 and became the meeting place for the acts that performed at the historic Regal Theater across the street. James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Duke Ellington, and the Temptations were among the many luminaries who frequented the Palm Tavern. Mrs. Oliver owned the Palm from 1956 until the City of Chicago evicted her on July 3, [...]