Chico Chism
05/23/1927 – 01/28/2007
Here are photos of the late great Chico Chism, who was best known as Howlin’ Wolf’s last drummer. Chico moved to Phoenix in the 1986, where he lived the last 20 years of his life as a dearly loved and highly respected man about town. We post these as a reminder of a great man who touched the lives of many people.
Chico Chism. Photo Roze Hanks.
Chico Chism Playing Drums at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism and Carey Bell. Photo by Jim Wells.
Chico Chism and Cash McCall. Photo by Marty Kool.
Chico Chism & Homesick James – Long Beach Blues Festival – 1994
Chico Chism and John Lee Hooker.
Chico Chism and Hubert Sumlin outside of Odysey Studio, Chicago. This is from a July 3, 1981 Sunnyland Slim recording session. Photo Jillina Arrigo Pope.
Chico Chism Singing at His Birthday Celebration at Redmond’s Lounge in Chicago, Illinois – May 25th, 1981 (Photo by Jim O’Neal)
Another Shot of Chico Chism at Redmond’s Lounge (Photo by Jim O’Neal)
Chico Chism With Mic – Chuy’s – October, 1988 (Photo by David Horwitz)
Chico Chism & John Brim – Chicago Blues Fest (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism is the man!
Chico in Tempe!
Chico Chism (Photo by John F. Gallaher)
Photo by Dave Horwitz
Johnny Rawls and Chico Chism at the Rhythm Room. Photo Jim Wells.
Chico Chism, Bob Corritore, Henry Gray at the Rhythm Room. Photo Jim Wells.
Junior Wells, Chico Chism, Bob Corritore, Walkin’ Cane Mark.
Chico Chism & Wizard at Earth Mother Mind Jam, Power Ridge in Minneapolis, MN – September 21, 2002
Chico Chism & Friend Playing Bongos
Small Paul & Chico Chism – 1986
Chico Chism & Friends in Chicago – 1983
Cyrus Hayes, Cecilia Savage, Chico Chism, Joe Kelley, Ray Moyeno, Jon McDonald
Chico Chism & Homesick James (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism & Junior Wells (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism & Junior Watson (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism & Lazy Lester in the Arizona Desert
Chico Chism & Nappy Brown (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism & Little Mac Simmons at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism & Jimmy Rogers at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism, Jan Rickey, Lil’ Ed – The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Fonz)
Chico Chism
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism publicity photo.
Albert Collins & Chico Chism
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Bo Diddley, NBA Star Bill Cartwright, Chico Chism
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Chico Chism, Horace “Mississippi Catfish” Stewart
The American Blues Legends tour of 1979 was put on by Big Bear Records and included Billy “The Kid” Emerson, Lester Davenport, Eddie C. Campbell, Good Rockin’ Charles, Nolan Stuck and, of course, Chico Chism! This tour spanned a number of weeks and hit many countries in Europe. Pictured above is that year’s logo.
A Flyer Advertising the LP for the American Blues Legends Tour – 1979
Chico Chism and a friend, 1979 at Boston’s Bradford Hotel. Chico was on tour with Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang. Photo David Herwaldt.
Jimmy Dawkins & Chico Chism
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Jimmy Rogers & Chico Chism
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
Chico Chism, Bob Corritore, Jimmy Rogers
(Photo by Jim “Boogie” Wells)
George Thomas Vaught, Hubert Sumlin, Chico Chism (Patrick Rynn, Henry Gray in background) at Bob Corritore’s 50th Birthday Party at the Rhythm Room in 2006 . Note that Chico was very ill at this time and George was doing his best to keep Chico inspired by setting up a band called The Flamekeepers where Chico could get on the bandstand for just a few songs per night and have the dignity of maintaining his status as a working musician. Even in a weakened state Chico would still rock the house! Thank you George.
(Photo by David Blake)
Cadillac Chico
This may be the earliest known photo of Chico Chism. It appears in a book called The Blacker The Berry: A Black History of Shreveport by Willie Burton. Special thanks to Chris Brown, a researcher of the subject of Shreveport, LA, who provided this photo. Shreveport was Chico’s hometown. Note that the above text is from the book.
Chico Chism with Manuel Arrington and an unidentified man, outside B.L.U.E.S. in Chicago, IL at the 1980 Living Blues Cookout. Note that Chico is holding a copy of Living Blues magazine, and was the self appointed West Side representative for the publication!
(Photo by Jim O’Neal)
Chico & His Wall of Posters & Memories
Patty Williams and Chico Chism. Photo by Jim Wells.
Chico Chism playing at the Rhythm Room. Photo Drew Verbis.
Chico Chism and Lil’ Ed Williams!
Chico Chism and Pinetop Perkins. Photo Jim Wells.
Chico Chism, ladies man! Photo Bob Corritore.
Chief Schabuttie Gilliame and Chico Chism.
Guitar Shorty and Chico Chism. Photo Jim Wells.
Johnny Copland, Chico Chism, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame.
Hans Olson and Chico Chism.
Big Jack Johnson, Bob Corritore, Sunny (of Sunny’s Sunshine BBQ), Chico Chism. Photo Dick Rice.
Chico Chism 1979 promotional photo.
Chico Chism behind the kit!
Sam Taylor and Chico Chism. Photo by Jim Wells.
Jimmy McGriff and Chico Chism. Photo Jim Wells.
Chico at the Grand Canyon!
Chico Chism Fan Club flyer.
Chico‘s image became the symbol of the 25th anniversary of the Rhythm Room. Graphic design by Drew Verbis.
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