Many famous and important drummers have either been born here, have lived here / still live here, or are buried here in the Chicago area. These include jazz drummers. blues drummers, rock drummers, percussionists, and all sorts of drummers of all types.

Drummers Tour Maps

Drummers Tour Map -> Google Maps

Drummers Tour Information

Drummers in Chicago Tour Information -> PDF file

FRED BELOW (1926-1988) – GRAVE

Blues Drummer
Fred Below Jr. was an influential Chicago Blues drummer who worked with Little Walter before becoming a Chess session player who recorded with Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Otis Rush and Howlin’ Wolf.
^{[Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago – 41°46’20.1″N 87°35’40.7″W]}

FRED BELOW LINKS
Fred Below -> Wikipedia

WARREN “BABY” DOBBS (1898-1959) – GRAVE

Jazz Drummer Legend
Baby Dobbs was perhaps the first prototypical jazz drummer, being influential to many of the greats, like Gene Krupa. Warren was called Baby to distinguish him from his equally famous brother, Johnny Dobbs, who was a first rate jazz clarinetist. The brothers both performed on King Oliver’s 1923 recordings of his Creole Jazz Band, in Chicago. Louis Armstrong also was part of these musicians. These recordings helped propel jazz into a national sensation. A few years later, Baby would record with Mr. Armstrong on his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings.
^{[Lincoln Cemetery, Blue Island – 41°40’19.5″N 87°42’16.5″W]}

WARREN “BABY” DODDS LINKS
Warren “Baby” Dobbs -> Wikipedia

GENE KRUPA (1909-1973) – GRAVE

Jazz Drummer Legend
Gene Krupa was one of the most influential drummers to ever exist. I do not say that lightly. Mr. Krupa helped transform the modern day drum set into what it is today, both as an instrument and how it is played. He helped Slingerland develop the tunable tom-tom and he helped with making the drums a solo instrument.
^{[Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, Calumet City – Immaculata Section G, Lot A, Lot 22 – 41°36’16.9″N 87°32’33.9″W]}

GENE KRUPA LINKS
Gene Krupa Biography -> drummerman.net
Gene Krupa -> Wikipedia

JOHN PANOZZO (1948-1996) – GRAVE

Drummer for Styx
John Panozzo was the original drummer for the rock group, Styx. He was the drummer on every Styx album recorded up to 1990’s Edge of the Century.
^{[Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip – Section 19, Block 15, Lot A, Lot 24, Grave 1 – 41°41’19.9″N 87°46’02.3″W]}

JOHN PANOZZO LINKS
John Panozzo -> Wikipedia

ODIE PAYNE (1926-1989) – GRAVE

Blues Drummer
Odie Payne Jr. was an early Chicago Blues drummer who played on a lot of session work. He recorded with Blues greats such as Tampa Red, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Chuck Berry and Buddy Guy.
^{[Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago – 41°46’22.2″N 87°35’58.3″W]}

ODIE PAYNE, JR. LINKS
Odie Payne -> Wikipedia