Dave Hoekstra

Howlin’ Wolf harmonica, 1950’s (On loan from Bettye Kelly.)

SPRINGFIELD, Il.–”The State of Sound: A World of Music From Illinois” has been called one of the most ambitious exhibits in the 16-year history of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) in downtown Springfield.

“The State of Sound” features Miles Davis’s custom-made red trumpet, Steve Goodman’s handwritten lyrics to “City of New Orleans,” Mahalia Jackson’s first Decca record from 1937 , and Curtis Mayfield’s 1970s paisley pants and vest suit. There are more than 125 artifacts that relate to the [...]

In loving memory of Clarence Burke, Sr, 1929-2020. (Photo courtesy of Keni Burke)

Clarence Burke, Sr., the beloved patriarch of Chicago’s Five Stairsteps soul and rock group died on July 16, following a seizure in an Atlanta area hospital. He would have turned 91 on July 17.

I interviewed Mr. Burke in late June for a New City magazine article celebrating the 50th anniversary of the group’s biggest hit, “O-o-h Child.” A couple of days after our conversation he fell in his home and suffered a fractured hip. When I heard that news I recalled the satisfied, empathetic tones in Mr. Burke’s voice. He ended our [...]

The city’s soul is wounded. Crime is up,  children are getting killed and the simple lights of summer are shadowed by orders of distancing. Some rules are too much to remember but this should never be forgotten:

The summer of 2020 is the 50th anniversary of the hit Chicago pop-soul ballad “O-o-h Child.”

It is a song of healing.

“O-o-h Child” was recorded by the Five Stairsteps, a  south side precursor to the Jackson 5. The group consisted of five of the six children of Betty and Clarence Burke, Sr. Clarence, Sr. was a detective for the Chicago Police Department. He also played bass and later managed the Five Stairsteps. The young blood [...]