Often when you live in a place, you are likely to overlook the best part. Or at least you may take it for granted.
When I was attending music school and then on into graduate school, I would be on Michigan Avenue every day. Even after college my first job was right there in the heart of Chicago's most interesting sights.
It's called "Magnificent Mile" or "The Gold Coast" but no matter how you say it, it is spectacular. From it's towering skyscrapers and historic architecture to the street performers - Michigan Avenue is among the most interesting places on Earth.
Oh, speaking of street performers... the fellow pictured was playing his violin (fiddle for you folks in the South) in front of The Art Institute where I have enjoyed so many great artists in my life. With a case full of money in front of him on the ground, he entertained thousands of people from all over the world and all walks of life without moving an inch. It's funny the guys you see playing on the street corner in Chicago - you never thumb your nose or laugh at them though.
When I was in school I remember listening to a pretty good sax player on the bridge over the Chicago River. That sax player would eventually perform on the Jazz TV show I produce. His name: Steve Cole. And I remember watching a very good blues band perform right out on State Street - went back every day for two weeks before I found out it was Albert Collins' nephew on bass guitar, B.B. King's daughter on vocals, Muddy Waters' former keyboard player Levy Lee, and a guy on guitar from a blues band called Slick Willie Crazy that looked an awful lot like Buddy Guy. He wouldn't say if he was related, but judging by his big smile and major league blues shredding ability, he could have been related to Buddy.
Now that I've introduced you to the flavor of it... here's my walk down Chicago's Magnificent Mile.
Zilla
Image:
Photos by Bob Chochola
Sears Tower, completed May 3, 1973, rises to a height of 1,450 feet and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Chicago skyline and in the world. Sears Tower held the record for the world’s tallest building for 25 years until the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia were built in 1998. Then in the Fall of 2004 Taipei 101 took all but one title -- tallest to the tips of the antennas, which Sears Tower still owns. Including the Sears Tower antennas, the total height of Sears Tower increases to 1,725 feet. Designed by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for Sears, Roebuck & Company, the world’s largest retailer at the time, the 3.8 million RSF building is the preeminent office address in Chicago and one of the premier properties in the world.
Image:
Photos by Bob Chochola
I didn't quite make it to Wrigleyville this time around, but I may catch the Cubbies next trip.
