by Dave Royko

Sometime in the 1970’s/80’s, Pete Seeger played a concert in Chicago at either the Auditorium or Orchestra Hall, I don’t recall which one, except that it was on Michigan Avenue. My father (columnist Mike Royko) was a fan of Seeger’s and went to the show, as did long-time Seeger friend (and friend of Dad’s, and possibly the MC for the concert), Studs Terkel.

As Dad told me the next day, after the concert, Seeger, Studs and Dad were walking together, each carrying one of Seeger’s instruments in their cases as they headed down Michigan Avenue toward Seeger’s hotel. At one point, a car with the windows open started driving slowly next to them, a middle-aged couple inside, staring. After a moment, the guy driving said out loud to his wife, “Oh my God, that’s Royko!” and then a bit louder, “And, Studs!” and then almost hollering, “And, oh my God, Pete!!!” The guy, having been at that concert, was most likely an old-school liberal, and for an encore got to see a liberal Holy Trinity on Michigan Avenue.

Rest In Peace, Pete.

1/28/14

Music Rambles