IN CELEBRATION OF CHICAGO NATIVE SAM LAY
WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 18, 2015, Sam Lay was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this occasion by the Honorable Walter Burnett, Jr, Alderman of the 27th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Sam Lay, drummer and vocalist, is one of the most celebrated drummers in blues history. He began his career in 1957 as a drummer for the Original Thunderbirds and soon after became a drummer for the legendary harp genius, Little Walter; and
WHEREAS, In early 60's Sam began recording and performing with the founding fathers of blues, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters; and
WHEREAS, In the mid 60's Sam Lay was persuaded to join, record and tour with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Bob Dylan, with Sam Lay as his drummer, introduced electric-rock at the Newport Folk Festival. Sam also recorded with Dylan - most notably on the Highway 61 album; and
WHEREAS, Sam Lay's unique style of drumming can be heard on over 40 recordings for the famed Chess Records Label with the most prominent names in the world of blues. He has recently toured Blues festivals around the US and Europe as a Chess Records All-Star; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980's Sam Lay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Recently, he was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, and the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland; and
WHEREAS, Sam Lay has continued to record with his own band on Appaloosa Records and Evidence Records. In 2000, Sam was nominated for a Grammy Award for his performance on the "Howlin' Wolf Tribute CD. He was also honored by the Recording Academy in January of 2002 for the "Legends and Hero's Award" for his significant musical contributions. He is also prominently featured on the PBS-TV broadcast "History of the Blues" produced by Academy Award winning director, Martin Scorsese; and
WHEREAS, A homecoming festival, in honor of Sam Lay to celebrate his 80th bir...
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