Chicago is the city that claims to be first in regards to many things. This episode has a bit of that but also stories about the first time certain events happened in the windy city. The band Nirvana's first visit to Chicago,...
Jacob Slichter is a composer, singer, author, professor, NPR commentator, contributor to The New York Times, and a drummer in the band Semisonic ("Closing Time" "Secret Smile" "F.N.T."). I talked to Jacob recently about his e...
It is a film that tops many Chicagoans’ lists of their favorite movies shot mainly here in the second city and most certainly is a huge part of Chicago history. Today, June 20th, 2020, marks the 40th Anniversary of the releas...
Chicago-based theater director Gary Griffin's bio is too long to fit in this space (wow, this guy has been busy), but a few notable mentions include working with Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre, directing multiple Stephen S...
Was she a good girl gone bad, as some news reports would have you believe, or was Wanda Stopa a naïve, lovestruck woman taken advantage of by an older man? Either way, this is a story that rocked Chicago's news in April of 19...
Hannah Stanley has worked in radio and television for over 20 years. Her experience includes hosting live programs on multiple stations, including WGN, one of the most well-respected stations here in Chicago, and hosting a va...
Sure, Chicago has the National Hockey League's much loved Chicago Blackhawks and also the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, but what about that OTHER Chicago hockey team? Today's we're discussing the Chicago Cougars, a...
Marvin Mason published his first novel Curse of Black Hawk's Treasure well into his 50's and in the first year after being published is on track to have 10 works in print. Hear more about Mason's pursuit of a literary life. M...
It was an innovative idea in its day - a 200 store indoor shopping center 35 miles outside of Chicago with a 31-ride amusement park in the middle. Unfortunately, once you throw in costly delays, waning attendance, lackluster ...
Ralph Covert has been a working musician in Chicago since the late 80's, and with his band The Bad Examples has had many memorable shows. I recently talked to Ralph and asked about his Chicago First story playing as a band. I...
You don't always have to be first, but when you are it certainly feels good. Chicago has had its share of firsts. The first skyscraper? Built in Chicago. The first female police officer? Chicago again. The first moving walkwa...
Chicago has a long history with beer and breweries. Starting in 1881 and continuing for over 80 years, one street in Chicago was home to many breweries that experienced a number of highs and some might agree even more lows. C...
One building, nearly 25 years of amazing concerts and the start of many successful bands. Episode Three of the Chicago History Podcast looks at Tuts and Avalon, two clubs that occupied the second floor of a building in Chicag...
For 25 years, one building housed some of Chicago's most interesting music venues. In this episode, we'll discuss the first rock club at that address and how Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet, and ma...
Before Walgreens became its current occupant, the northwest corner of Dearborn and Division in Chicago was home to storied movie theaters for over 70 years. Chicago History Podcast (chicagohistorypod@gmail.com): https://www.f...
