JOE KELLEY Photo Gallery by SOULFUL IMPRESSIONS at pbase.com

JOE KELLEY

PHOTOS OF JOE KELLY BY KURT SWANSON

THE HARLEM AVE LOUNGE BERWYN, IL...BERWYN?

Blues.shadows@ATT.net

Teardrop Records http://www.teardroprecords.com
Joe's myspace http://www.myspace.com/joekelleytheblueshadow

As the 1960's came to a close, Joe Kelley was earning a reputation as one of the hottest blues guitarist in Chicago. Joe honed his guitar and vocal skills on Chicago's south side, working with many of the blues greats including Sam Lay. Joe spent many a late night and early morning taking in the wisdom of the great Willie Dixon. Joe has recorded with Wild Child Butler and Long John Hunter.

DOUBLE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

JOE KELLEY	WITH JOE KELLEY "THE BLUE SHADOW"	JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY
JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLY	THE BLUE SHADOW JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY
JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY
JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY	JOE KELLEY
JOE KELLEY from THE SHADOW OF KNIGHT	DSC_7888t6x4 copy.jpg	DSC_7888t6x4BW copy.jpg	DSC_7988D11X7 copy.jpg
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Bill mackowiak		25-May-2022 06:10
My name is bill mackowiak. I managed joe Kelley’s blues band: joe, Danny sax, Stan trumpet, and a young black drummer and bass player a real tight 5 piece band. At the time joe lived and breathed bb king. Maybe some of you readers remember the show I put on at the elmhurst college old gym. We played frat houses in Madison but money was a problem. After all it was the 60’s. I ran into a couple of brothers who owned the burning spear on 63d&halstead and got them to agree to book joe, the first white act ever at the spear. Our fee - drinks! We were all living in a little house in villa park at the time. Now the burning spear was legendary in englewood. Bb king, Bobby blue bland, were stars there. It was the south side with a doorman holding a 38 while collecting the bread. The room was immense with kitchen tables and chairs jammed together and a huge stage close to the crowd but room to dance. The opening act was a group of drummers from Africa & they started warming up. I checked sound, lighting and went down in the basement to to talk to the guys, who appeared very nervous and informed me they were not going on! The 2 black members were afraid to be playing in front of an all black audience and the 3 whites were just afraid. While the drums were rocking over our heads I told them they could not be real blues men if they could not play in front of the people who lived it! We were at ground zero for the blues. Well up they went and when they walked on the stage - silence. The floor was empty. But when joe stepped up and started to play and sing , one lady got up by herself and started to slowly dance. Then another and another! Well by the end of the night the place was rocking. In fact some of our crowd braved the trip from the burbs to englewood for a great time and no trouble. Joe and I walked different paths soon after. But now on 05/25/2022 some 54 years later you all know, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story how joe started to become the blue shadow! A great blues player - god rest his soul!

Marty Swanson		15-Nov-2012 22:59
I saw Joe Kelley at the Cellar in Arlington Heights, Illinos either in 1969 or 1970. The Cellar was an old tire warehouse turned "teen club". It was a dark tight place with strobe lights that would practically make you puke (or was that the Romilar that I used to drink before going there?). Cream played the Cellar in '67, which I unfortunately missed, but Joe Kelley tore the place up! It was the only time I saw him live. Keep up the good work, Kurt. Great photos.

Linda Craddok		09-Sep-2010 00:12
hello my name is linda mullendore, I knew all of you back in the sixties. We were athe Leto House and Joe watched me between the bathroom door. My past is your past. I am just here. Where are you.

guest		31-Aug-2009 03:44
I last saw Tom Shiffour around 1980 when I departed for the Marine Corps. Tom was playing bass in small band in the Montrose area of Houston, Texas. Tom was a great guy who played Basketball regularly with us at Cherryhurst Park. He gave me my first Hockey Jersey a few years before that, and boy did he have a collection from his younger days. The last name for his band at the time was the Night Watchmen (I know someone else uses that name now). The lead guitar player was a rather quiet gent. His name was Benny Rowe (not sure on spelling) and his signature song was a tune called Sharks Teeth. Benny wrote it and ripped it up with a slide on his finger. Byron Wheeler sang and played left handed rhythm guitar and my good buddy at the time on drums, the incomparable Rick Wheeler. They were fantastic musicians and I know when Benny was younger that he played a little with John Lee Hooker in Chicago. They were all good men following the way of the Lord at the time, but they still would share an occasional story of their past days. Ricky was a kid like me but Tom and Benny both were a big influence on him and his ability to feel the music. I guess the best way to describe their music would be a "Fat Back" sound. Ricky taught me to play a song from King Curtis live at the Fillmore West, with Bernard Purie and his iconic hi-hat 3 chop. As a young drummer, I learned snap and pop, rim shots from them. Broke a lot of sticks back then,LOL. I remember their first gig as a band in the mid/late 70's was playing back up to Stevie Ray Vaughan (when he still had the stand up base)at Fitzgeralds over in the Heights. I was a punk kid, but with the band, and Tom, Benny and the boys were phenominal. After their set we all sat right in front of the stage and watched the young master Stevie just destroy his set, and no one else was there hardy, because Stevie wasn't the Star yet. The guys all knew who Stevie and drug me along to help set up so I could see him. Montrose was a great place in the 70's and it was guys like Tom Shiffour that made it that way. By the way, he was a fierce competitor on the Basketball court. Ricky is out in Ventura, Ca and his mom Kay Wheeler was the catylist for Tom, Benny and that band. Thanks, The Smugg

Dan Baron		21-Feb-2009 07:50
OK. Now you have added some pictures of Joe sitting in an armchair, and holding his guitar. They look to me like the picture of him on the back of the second Shadows' album - but if I recall correctly, there are some differences. Positively, he is wearing different shirts. He has a different guitar, and back then, his fretboard said nothing. In the original picture, he didn't have facial hair, glasses, or a hat. And he did have sheepdog bangs. Also, the first picture looked like it was taken in a normally lit living room; not in a dark basement with him illuminated by a flashlight. Everything else looks just about the same.

Julie		19-Feb-2009 23:18
Hi Joe. knew you from the Mines, mid 80's. Glad to see you're alive & kickin". Your favorite bartender, Julie

Guest		01-Nov-2008 17:58
imressive documentation ! v

Dan Baron		23-Feb-2008 11:50
I had the two Shadows albums when they came out. I haven't heard or seen either since probably the 60s. If I remember correctly, the first time I heard Joe sing was on the second album, I think "Peepin' and Hidin'". And I couldn't figure out how he had made the jump from bass on the first album to lead guitar on the second. My little brain couldn't comprehend it. I thought that musicians automatically took their natural positions in a band. With bass and drums being lowest in talent, and lead guitar highest. I had never heard of band members switching places before. It seemed to me that switching bass and rhythm guitar might be possible. But switching bass and lead guitar seemed to me to be out of this universe. But as I recall, there he was in a photograph on the back of the cover, sitting in an armchair and holding his six string guitar, looking at the camera, calm as could be. Time passed, and someone told me that the Joe Kelley Blues Band was playing at The Cellar. So I had to go see.

Dan Baron		21-Feb-2008 08:09
I swear that's a great album. There's not one song on it I don't like. He plays great, he sings great, and he writes great songs. On some of the songs I can hear two guitars. So I guess he must have played both parts separately. And he plays the harmonica too. I didn't listen to much music for a long time. I've been a Doors man for most of my life. But I have the King/Clapton album, and also the 2005 live Cream album. I swear this album is much better than both of them.

Dan Baron		30-Jan-2008 09:35
Joe must have made an impression on me. I hadn't seen him since around 1971. And then I Googled his name and found this web page in 2008. Incidentally, in the second picture in the bottom row, he looks just like I remember. Same face, same expression. Shoulders hunched up, mouth open, looking at his guitar's neck. He's even holding the guitar at the same height. Time flies! danbaron@dialup4less.com

Dan Baron		29-Jan-2008 07:58
Dan Baron I grew up in Prospect Heights (D.O.B. 1951-06-07), Illinois, at 307 E. School Lane. I never saw The Shadows of Knight, but I lived a block from Tom Schiffour, and a little farther from Jim Sohns. Interestingly, my wife was a speech therapist in the Berwyn public schools, and we lived in Berwyn, mostly at 2843 S. Home Ave., for 18 years. Now we live in Palmdale, California. My friends and I used to go and see Joe Kelley at The Cellar in Arlington Heights, probably around 1971. It was just him and two other guys. I remember the drummer was this skinny little guy who always wore a goofy leather hat with a big brim. If I recall correctly, Joe played a red Gibson ES 335 hollowbody guitar. He had long blonde hair, parted down the middle, sometimes in a ponytail. He looked strong as a bull. I bought his CD, 'The Blue Shadow' (Do you see the double play on words?). I really 'Dig It'. All I can say is, there ain't no fairness in this life. And I guess that's why the Blues exists. I hope the next life evens things out. How many people have the guts to be true to their dreams? Certain people in your life, you admire, and for me, Joe Kelley is one. Dan Baron danbaron@dialup4less.com

Bill Britt		12-Jan-2008 06:01
Joe, Haven't seen you in more than 15 years. That was in the Club in Chicago and you were staying on Miklwaukee Avenue. Met Dragon in El Paso in '92 after I returned from Saudi Arabia and she said you were still in Austin where I had talked to you last. I still one or two of the videos I shot of your show at the Club near Western and Milwaukee. Please get in touch and we can get together again And I would love to Video record you again, those were great shows. All the best and easy does it.

Guest		30-Dec-2007 18:25
Steve Nakon Good to hear you are alive and kicking-Good luck!

Jerry Buckman		17-Dec-2007 17:35
We both lived in Washington Tower at WIU in 1963-64. I remember you playing the guitar and coming down to our room to play blackjack. I had heard that you were in "Shadows of the Night". That may not be true, but I think of you whenever I hear GLORIA. My room mate was Arlon Jones.

Guest		08-Dec-2007 17:21
Hey, Joe. It's Casey from The Deep End in Macomb. It's fun to Google names from the past. Nobody could do "Hootchie Kootchie Man" the way you did! Keep pickin', my friend.

SOULFUL IMPRESSIONS		05-Dec-2007 20:07
Thats great news joe .cant wai to see you!

Guest		05-Dec-2007 15:40
P.S. Teardrop Records website address is teardroprecords.com

joe.kelley		05-Dec-2007 15:38
just for the record, the rumors of my demise are greatly exagerated. i'm still cooking with gas, all's i need is a good mgr. and booking agency to help me to get back out there, playing for each of you personally. yes i'm back in the chicago area, although i spent most of the nineties in texas, if anyone out there has some suggestions for me reguarding the new start, in my career. please let me know asap if you have any leads. you can reach me through the Teardrop Records website. log on today to hear some soundbites off of my latest CD, then if you dig the sounds you can buy it online for under 15 dollars. hope to hear from some of you soon. joe.kelley "The Blues Shadow"

Leslie Peters		07-Oct-2007 10:34
Hello to Joe, if you are out there, contact me. I'm Leslie from '67. You asked me to move in but when you learned I was 15 you took me home. I still think about you. I married a lead guitar player in '70 and divorced in '78. I ran a Chicago hotel for 16 years, went back to school and became a lawyer (don't hold that against me) and now I live in southern Illinois and help poor people. I haven't been a love in seven years and I'm in good shape for an old broad. I still love music,I'm very spiritual and idealistic. I'd love to hear from you!

Guest		23-Aug-2007 21:42
http://joekelley.myfreewebhost.org/

Guest		16-May-2007 22:11
Joe and I were buds in High School. He taught me to play guitar, drink, smoke, and chase girls. We were in the Exides together. Played 6 nights a week 9-2am at the Taffy Twist Lounge in Lake Geneva, WI. Good night...don't let the rags ignite. Carl Anderson.

Guest		04-Mar-2007 23:25
I knew Joe and Carl Anderson (Exides) at WIU in Macomb. His guitar talent was inspiring even then. I wish him well and hope he's doing ok. Gregg Nybo

Dr. G		01-Jan-2007 21:22
Long Live Joe Kelly, Joe's life is a metaphor for a blue's song no doubt. He played my company's Christmas gig in 2001, and brought down the house with a soulful renditions of classic Hendrick's tunes. He had the budding hip hop DJ Jason "the wolf" Riggio laying down some tasty vocals. Unfortunately, I lost touch with him after that evening. The hat was passed, we had dinner and drank a soda (Joe was extremely sober) and talked about Biblical character's that Joe admired, including Samuel. Joe got into his van, with his personal affects, speakers, and his Axe. (This is on his song, Houston to Chicago - and real) I pray he's out there and I hope he posts soon. Dr. G

SOULFUL IMPRESSIONS		20-Dec-2005 22:44
I DON'T KNOW...JOE IF YOUR OUT THERE CHECK IN.

Bruce Orvis		20-Dec-2005 16:03
I went to High School and College with Joe. I saw him perform in the Exides with Jimme, Carl and Bo in High School and in the Vectors at Western Illinois University. Is Joe still in the Chicago area?

Jay Langford		25-Nov-2005 05:25
I used to play with Joe in Austin Texas. Does anyone have an idea how to get in touch with him, Jay Langford 512-626-5366 jaylangford@austin.rr.com

chuck		09-Nov-2005 16:10
I first saw Joe Kelly and his band at the "Deep End" in Park Rigde, Ill. around 1967. I was still a teen. I'm glad I found a CD of his material. I plan to pick up a copy of Blue Shadow. Joe's style was the first high energy blues that I heard live. Later that year, I went to see Jeff Beck/Rod Stewart and I remember thinking that Joe's show was just as electrifying.

Guest		20-Aug-2005 19:02
I was lucky enough to be the bass player with Long John Hunter when Joe was playing guitar and we did the Chicago Blues Festival. Is Joe still working?

Jimme Summers		11-May-2005 18:59
Joe and I are friends from 1962 when we were in the same bands - The ViTones and The Exides - both of which went nowhere (but not because of Joe). We have many great memories. Jimme Summers

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