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JOSEPH KELLEY Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH KELLEY
"Anna" by his side... He named his guitars "Anna1","Anna2"... Genius!
Mike Reid on drums
April 27, 2017
Aug.2012 S.Wilmette in Westmont Block Party
Mike Reid on drums
April 27, 2017
Peace brother
Will Burton
April 1, 2017
My name is Will Burton ,Joe was a good friend when he was was down and out,lived with me in Jonestown,Texas ,I rode for strung his famous flying V before shows,God has blessed us all with him and his music.RIP Joe ,Will B Truckn 4u
January 25, 2017
Back in 1966, a band I led competed in a Battle of the Bands. The Vectors came on and blew everybody else away! The next time I heard anything about Joe was that he was in Shadows of Knight. Unfortunately never got to hear his blues band. So sad to hear of his passing.
Stephen Brown, Professor Emeritus, Mansfield University
December 31, 2016
I remember when Joe opened for John Mayall's Blues Band at the Electric Theater in August of 1969. Mick Taylor was announced to be leaving to Join the Rolling Stones as replacement for recently passed Brian Jones. I was backstage with Joe when John Mayall approached him to Join his group. Joe was uncertain and I pleaded to him that every guitar player from Mayall's group has had extraordinary careers. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Paige,Jeff Beck and others. Joe continued on with his group "Joe Kelly Blues Band" who also had quit a line of notable musicians and was quite good including Stanley Abernathy (Trumpet Player and band leader for BB King who passes last thues 12-29-2016) I always wondered what might have happened to Joe's career had he made the decision to join. RIP Joe,you'll always be missed !Bill Stockdale 1-31-2016
Joe Kelly at Kickapoo
eric torgerson
January 31, 2016
Mick Schullo
July 4, 2015
Joe gave me guitar lessons when I was a kid in LaGrange. I'm still learning from them. That was in '76 and '77. I'll always be grateful. I wouldn't be the person or musician I am today if it wasn't for Joe. Thanks Joe! You changed my life.
August 30, 2014
Patti B
August 29, 2014
Joe, almost a year later and today I search for you here. I never had to search before, u were always there for me. I miss u so my friend.
Robert Kennedy
March 22, 2014
Joe, I just learned of your death. Our time as roommates is a very special memory for me. Lots of people didn't understand that you had a huge soul and were a truly wonderful person. What you were inside even eclipsed your enormous talent. I still remember you playing a $15 acoustic guitar and moving my girlfriend to tears. Rest well my friend.
Carl Anderson
March 1, 2014
Hey Joe…where you going with that guitar in your hand. Thanks for contacting me and taking care of Eevee the dog. You and I speak almost every day. It's great. It is what it is. Good nite…don't let the rags ignite. Me go now eat fries. I liked that last zap strap move… Carl
Bob Jones
March 1, 2014
Rest in peace Joe - my friend, who I grew up with and my very first inspiration to play blues. I'll never forget sitting around with you at your house in Hinsdale and you showing me blues riffs when I was first learning to play. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined actually playing with you in your band in Chicago in 1976. Wow, something I had always dreamed of doing. memories of you will always be with me.
Bill Stockdale
January 21, 2014
Hey Joe,ramble down that road to meet your heroes! Glad to have met you,it was a great time and thanks for returning my Les Paul guitar. Say hello to our deceased friends Billy Moore and Chris Stockdale. You will be missed !
John Wallerich
December 8, 2013
Rest in peace, brother. I enjoyed our time together, the blues jams, enjoying nature's gifts, and most of all, speaking blues on guitar. We'll miss you, Joe.
Peter Johnson
December 8, 2013
Joe, you were an inspiration to me when I was a young guitarist just getting into the blues. I still remember that the sweet tone of that beautiful Epiphone Sheraton you played back then. To me you always be a true "bluesman".
Barbara K
November 17, 2013
What a great guitarist. The Cellar, the Blue Village, the Belmont Yacht Club, the Five Stages...Tony's little house in Arlington Hts. What a wild time. Joe had a great sense of humor, I'll miss you.
Michael Harth
November 13, 2013
Many great performances at the Cellar
Hope Jimmy Revelle is in the audience as he preforms with the Heavenly Review....
Cherrokee
Joseph Garcia
October 26, 2013
Rest in peace Joe. I'm glad we met back in November 13th of 2004 when my band The New Invaders played at Pop's Pizza in Roselle, Illinois. It was great to talk with you during that time. May you rest in peace.
Joe Garcia from The New Invaders
October 18, 2013
I remember seeing them at the original Cellar in the basement of a Church in Arlington Heights. The Cellar later moved to an old factory building in the same area. Great local band. Wayne Segedie
September 30, 2013
September 30, 2013
The One & Only
Joseph Pashka
September 28, 2013
Joe was a great guy, a great musician, and an inspiration to so many people.
There are plenty of folks I know who would say even more if they only knew of this Guest book.
Vaya con Dios, amigo.
Harlan Terson
September 19, 2013
I think that I must have known Joe for about 35 years. He was a very nice guy, and a great player, and a friend.
Rest In Peace, Joe.
Bob Hartley
September 13, 2013
Joe was a great musician,but, more than that, he was a good person. Several years ago he helped me through a rough time. For that, I'll always be grateful.
Bob Adams
September 12, 2013
RIP Joe. From a garage band to a blues band your guitar will be remembered forever. G-L-O-R-I-A
K K
September 11, 2013
Happy Birthday, Yoey!!
September 11, 2013
Always he best, Joe! Thanks! --Brian.
The Same
Debbie Reiss
September 11, 2013
Sending Love, from Debbie & all The girls from The Same.
Joe, you were my Moms favorite!
September 10, 2013
Joe, you taught me "My attitude of gratitude is my longitude and latitude" I will never forget you! Peace Brother, Matt Zippmann
September 10, 2013
September 9, 2013
What can I say. You always had a kind word. Your ole pal (Lefty)
gayle g
September 9, 2013
You will be missed.
September 9, 2013
Joe you were the best friend I had here. You were also very humble,There was never anything you couldn't do with your guitar when we talked and I would mention something someone else did, you would immediately do the same thing on your guitar like it was nothing. I always would gasp thinking "wow this guy should be famous big time" I doidn't realize he was famous big time. Joe was the most humble person I ever knew. Thanks Joe for being in my life for a few years,it was great knowing you and when I get up there we'll work on "summertime" like we had started. :)
September 9, 2013
RIP Joe you were a wonderful person and an old friend ! You will be missed. Love Jude xx
September 9, 2013
I remember seeing Joe at the Hinsdale Youth Center. Fond memories.
Tom Kissel
September 9, 2013
I've been blessed to have known you, you are in a much better place, play on Blue Shadow!!
Michelle K.
September 9, 2013
Though you no longer reside in physical form
your energy is held safe in our hearts
your journey in this life ended, all care has flown
In your simple presence we found hope
Our lives were made richer by your being
Spun fine was the cloth of your existence
Your words, laughter and wit
circled around us like a pleasing aroma
sometimes sweet, sometimes pungent
but seldom bitter or acrid
Keen perceptions and compassionate insight
accompanied your thoughts and words
Gently kissing subjects both difficult and sublime
Your humaness honored us who knew you
And was offered freely to all you met
May it abide in our hearts forever.
I love you, Joe Joe!!
Rich- POWERLESS
September 9, 2013
Joe,
the folks are already planning a memorial service the club,
you are missed.
Pam Hembree
September 8, 2013
Joe, your music will always be remembered. The music was your heart and soul. RIP my friend.
September 8, 2013
Kitty
September 8, 2013
Kitty Hardman
September 1
Just help me through this moment
after all that I have told you
It's like the wait of his loss
is like the weight of the sun.
I see their faces near me
I hear his voice calling
It's like their life was over
before it had begun.
Adam Maybloom
September 8, 2013
Joe, when I first saw you played in Richie Rich's band, you are a legendary guitar man of all time. It's too bad I won't see you anymore. May God be with you. Peace.
Tommy Otto
September 8, 2013
Joe,
You gave so much to so many with very little in return.I will have your music,your spirit,your "attitude of gratitude",but most of all your loving friendship in my heart and soul every day,especially when I sit behind my drums.I will smile through the tears remembering our musical travels.No more pain.I love you,my friend.R.I.P.
mike dalessandro
September 8, 2013
Although unheard I thank you
For always being there
Even when you were bedridden
You always seemed to care
You meant so much to all of us
you were special and that's no lie
you brightened up the darkest day
and even the greyest sky
Many tears I have seen and cried
They have all poured out like rain
I know that you are happy now
Cause your no longer in pain.
Four years on I remember you
And what you used to say
You made each of us smile
And live to the fullest each day
They say in time it gets easier
I believe this isn't true
Because even after all this time
I still don't have a clue
I was not ready to say goodbye
Our friendship is forever
Until death, did we part
Although your away physically
You're always in my heart
Greta McGladdery
September 8, 2013
Joe, you will be missed. We really had some laughs! I always say, the best men are the ones that make me laugh... Love ya
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