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222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL, 60654

312-380-9883

Chicago's honorary brown street signs, days, and commemorative honors; the who, what, where, when and why.  Honorary Chicago guide book, maps, biographies, history, trivia, tours, and gifts.

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Filtering by Tag: performer

Bob Newhart

Linda Zabors

George Robert (Bob) Newhart had a famous television comedy show (1972-1978) which was based in Chicago; the opening credits featured Chicago sites. The Bob Newhart Show followed the daily life and foibles of a friendly psychotherapist named Bob Hartley, and his wife, friends, neighbors, and clients.

Bob Newhart grew up on the west side of Chicago. Chicago is where he developed the comic style which made him famous - a stammering conversational monologue. He performed at Chicago’s legendary variety venue - Mr. Kelly’s.

The Grammy Award winning album which launched his fame in 1960 is “The Buttoned-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.”

His other works include the television show Newhart, many appearances on the Johnny Carson show, The David Letterman Show, The Conan O-Brien Show, Saturday Night Live, What’s My Line, Hollywood Squares, The Big Bang Theory (2013) - for which he won an Emmy Award, and the movie Elf (2003). In 2002 he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Bob Newhart’s book is called “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This.

Alumni
Loyola University Chicago
St. Ignatius College Prep
St. Catherine of Siena Grammar School in Oak Park, IL

Veteran: Army 1952-1954


Honorary Bob Newhart Way

5800 to 5930 N Sheridan Road

 

Approved: March 2025

Ward: 48
Alderman: Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
Neighborhood: Edgewater

b. September 5, 1929 in Oak Park, IL
d. July 18, 2024. Age 94 in Los Angeles, CA

Near the Thorndale Beach North Condominium building at 5901 N. Sheridan Road, which was featured in The Bob Newhart Show as the residence of the main character.

There is also a statue of Bob Newhart, as the Bob Hartley psychologist character, located at Navy Pier.

Note: 10 Signs Named Bob is no longer available on the Vamonde app


Source

202515657

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/13/edgewater-block-dubbed-honorary-bob-newhart-way/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Newhart

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/18/791345695/bob-newhart-dead

IMDB. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0627878/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Buttoned-Down Mind of Bob Newhart https://youtu.be/0MKtaWypdrs?si=A_0Y_XYw3QShYOim

The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back
https://youtu.be/K22qu730Rpk?si=Mk0aBncQvqtRv6lv

Interview about the Buttoned-down Mind
https://youtu.be/fEU9ro9t2BY?si=o9WOZ11YBdLPIdVI

Air Traffic Control Skit
https://youtu.be/hGZ3oVi1sUs?si=jAX5Ud7LqIZTll-E

Witch Doctor Skit
https://youtu.be/3wRrtcugEXI?si=xVEvl_t99v7bivO8

https://youtu.be/OxDxFLswHek?si=usz-ZolebLJxmZS-

Irma and Willie Pickens Way

Linda Zabors

Willie Pickens was a famous Chicago Jazz Pianist. His wife Irma, was his producer.

He taught music theory and performance throughout his career including: a collaboration between public high schools and Ravinia, and at Northern Illinois University.

Other collaborations included major Jazz Festivals around the world, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and the Willie Pickens Trio.

YouTube playlist: Willie Pickens. Honorary Chicago channel

Willie - Alumni
Milwaukee Conservatory of Music
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Veteran: U.S. Army, Army band -Clarinet


Honorary Irma and Willie Pickens Way

5600 S. Kimbark Avenue

Approved: 2018

 

Ward: 5
Alderman: Hairston
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

Dedicated: December 2, 2018

Willie
b. 1931. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
d. December 2017. Age 86

Irma
d. 2015

Near
Their residence for more than 40 years

Mural of Willie Pickens by artist Desi Mundo, between the auditorium doors of Ray School
5631 S. Kimbark Avenue


John Prine Way

Linda Zabors

John Prine was a Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter. His style was humorous social commentary country folk music. He had worked as a letter carrier and in the 1970s performed weekly in local Chicago club, the Fifth Peg, when Roger Ebert wrote a glowing review in the Chicago Sun-Times which launched John’s folk music career. Since then many famous singers such as: Johnny Cash, Bette Middler, and Bonnie Raitt, and George Strait have recorded his songs. Since 1981 his son, Jody Whelan, has run John’s independent record and publishing company, Oh Boy Records. John Prine was posthumously named an honorary poet laureate of the State of Illinois in 2020. He died in Nashville at age 73 from complications of the COVID-19 virus.

Veteran: U.S. Army in Germany

YouTube


Honorary John Prine Way

West Armitage Avenue between North Fremont Street and North Dayton Street (853-858)

 

Approved: May 2020

Ward: 43
Alderman: Smith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

b. October 10, 1946. Maywood, IL
d. April 7, 2020. Nashville, TN
Age 73

* Amended location 2021