Oh My God. I just got the shocking and sad news that Pete Special died today. He helped propel me forward in Chicago as a bandleader and singer. I first met Pete when he was the bandleader of Big Twist & the Mellow Fellows and he happened to live across the hall from me on Carmen Avenue in Chicago. Fast Forward several years later to the night of my friend Sara’s birthday party at a small restaurant in Lakeview where Pete was performing with his band The Shivers. We reconnected and I invited him to come see me perform later that week. At the same time his then publicist Linda got us a gig working at Blue Chicago. Pete saw me sing and decided to build the group around me and we did our first gig together at Blue Chicago on State Street which led to a regular Monday night slot. He believed in me and we became very good friends back in the day. (around 1993.)
He was a wonderful artist, songwriter and a friend to so many. He was just a great guy, funny, knew his shit, knew the business, lived and fought hard to make it through this life. I am dumbfounded and in utter shock. What the fuck. We lost touch over the years and just recently reconnected by chance when I was at a club (The Underground Wonderbar) in Chicago. I am so thankful for that chance meeting. We hugged and renewed our affection for each other and made that promise to “get together real soon.”
How does one even begin to process a loss of someone who impacted your life so profoundly? I don’t even know if I got to thank him properly. I do know that he had found the love of his life and that he was doing what he loved: making music. I heard from a friend that he had celebrated with great friends the night before his passing and was surrounded by love and good cheer.
What a sad loss for us all.
