By dvdmike (12.84.104.236) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 03:34 pm:

Chicago's legendary Checkerboard Lounge at 43rd & King Drive will be shuttered by the end of this month. According to owner L.C. Thurmond, the world renowned blues club is closing due to an exploitive landlord, dwindling audiences and broken promises. Thurmond opened the club in 1972 with his then-partner, blues great Buddy Guy. The Checkerboard played host to artists such as Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, Little Milton, Junior Wells and B.B. King. In 1981, the Rolling Stones shared the stage with Muddy Waters, who lived just a few blocks east at 43rd & Lake Park. Where once the club played to a full house every night, recently, there have been turnouts of about 20 to 30 people. The club's landlord, Murphy Hughes, who owns the building at 423 E. 43rd Street, recently bumped Thurman's rent by $500.00 to $1800.00 per month. There was talk by 3rd Ward alderman Dorothy Tillman of moving the club to include it as part of the "Blues District" on 47th Street between Wabash and St. Lawrence Avenues, but nothing has been finalized yet. Thurman plans to reopen his club at some point in time, perhaps in Hyde Park or Grand Crossing.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 02:41 pm:

Mike:
Thanks for the 411. When I come to Chicago in May, we should connect and try to visit the remaining clubs that are there to show our support.
Regards,
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 04:11 pm:

What a shame... The Checkerboard is always a must-do for me whenever I visit Chicago. I'll miss the old place... a lot. It was the real deal.

SR

By dvdmike (12.84.143.53) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

Buddy Guy's Legends located in the South Loop is a pretty popular spot. Buddy co-founded the Checkerboard. Yeah Kev, let's hook up.