The Rockin’ Johnny Band has been one of Chicago’s most loved blues bands since 1995. Their music has been played on WXRT’s “Local Anaesthetic” and “Blues Breakers” radio shows, the band has often been featured at The Chicago Blues Festival, and they regularly work in Chicagoland’s best blues clubs such as Buddy Guy’s Legends. Their CDs and live performances have drawn great reviews in Living Blues, The Chicago Sun Times, Pioneer Press, and National Public Radio’s “848”.

Guitarist Johnny Burgin came to Chicago from South Carolina to attend the University of Chicago, and earned the name “Rockin’ Johnny” as a DJ at the college radio station WHPK. Rockin’ Johnny began playing in the ghetto clubs of Chicago’s West Side with blues singer Taildragger, and then began touring nationally as a sideman with former Howlin’ Wolf drummer Sam Lay and blues piano legend Pinetop Perkins.

After learning from the masters, he put his own band together. Things started happening for the Rockin’ Johnny Band after they took a Monday night residency at The Smoke Daddy in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Their original, energetic approach soon made them a strong local draw week after week and year after year, bringing in blues aficionados, every musician in town, and a younger crowd that normally didn’t go to hear blues bands. The atmosphere the band generated was so electric, that Delmark Records offered them a contract after hearing just one set. This was especially exciting because the prestigious Chicago label is revered by blues aficionados as the home of Junior Wells and Johnny’s idol, Magic Sam!

Since those days, they’ve regularly toured Europe, played festivals and headlined clubs all over the Midwest. The Rockin’ Johnny Band has recorded five CDs including “Grim Reaper”, released in April of 2012. A true “musician’s musician”,Rockin’ Johnny has been one of Chicago’s most in-demand blues session men since the 90s, contributing his incisive playing to over a dozen CDs by artists such as Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Burns, Tail Dragger, Little Arthur Duncan, Paul DeLay and many more.

The Rockin’ Johnny Band plays vintage Chicago blues, but also is known for a wide repertoire which ventures into Stax style soul, swing, and lots of originals that are harder to classify. On stage, the band performs with spontaneity and fun, always showcasing fantastic guitar playing. Living Blues states: “top notch ensemble work, with power, drive, and a keen sense of dynamics”. The band consists of true veterans: Rick Kreher (rhythm guitar) played rhythm guitar with Muddy Waters for four years; John Sefner (bass) was formerly with Studebaker John and Eddie Kirkland; and Steve Bass (drums) also plays with Chicago blues legend Eddy Clearwater.

Guitarist extraordinaire – and one-time member of Muddy’s band – Rick “Junior” Kreher

Rare Chicago club appearance. Son of legendary Snooky Pryor.
Solo and band set.

Guitar God from Greaseland in California

After several years of collaborations and tours around the world toghether, also backing up many Chicago Blues Legends in United States and Europe, ace Italian guitarist Luca Giordano and outstanding Spanish charismatic harp player and singer Quique Gomez present their recorded tribute to classic Chicago blues,  Chicago 3011 Studios Sessions. The album was recorded on 2011 in the Windy City and produced by GG Records late last year.The two Europeans, who met each other for the first time  in Chicago, share a common passion for “old school” electric blues and the genre’s many past and present masters.

As versatile musicians fond of performing in various musical styles, both Giordano and Gomez front their own bands and projects. But together onstage or in the studio, their deep and genuine passion for Chicago Blues roars to the fore.Chicago 3011 Studios Sessions is a 12-song CD, consisting of six originals played by the core band and six freshened-up classics with guests varying from track to track  plus a bonus track with all the special guests together.
After touring with these two young bluesmen all around Europe, backed up by their excellent band, several Chicago blues “living legends” were happy to support their friends Giordano and  Gomez on the session.  Bob Stroger  appears on “Bad Boy,”  Jimmy Burns contributes to “That’s Life,” Billy Branch plays  on “Rocket 88” and not least  Eddie C. Campbell turns up on “Eddie’s Shuffle.” The two Europeans lovingly dedicated the album to Mr. Campbell..Of course, the Chicago blues elders made visitors Giordano and Gomez feel and sound right at home, that is, Home Sweet Chicago.