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John Jeremiah, 65, Pianist wrote famous part for 'Lake Shore Drive' dies
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Matthew Kruk
Dec 7, 2011, 8:14:53 PM12/7/11
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http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/9271801-418/pianist-wrote-famous-part-for-lake-shore-drive-dies.html
Pianist wrote famous part for 'Lake Shore Drive' dies
By Stefano Esposito
STAFF REPORTER
Staff Reporter
Last Modified: Dec 6, 2011 02:13AM
On the 40th anniversary of the well-known anthem "Lake Shore Drive," the man who
wrote the instantly recognizable piano part for the song has died.
John Jeremiah - known for his sparkling, animated piano playing - died Monday at
Memorial Hospital in Chester in downstate Illinois, the funeral home handling
the services confirmed Monday. Mr. Jeremiah was 65.
"He had a very unique style of playing," said Skip Haynes, who played with Mr.
Jeremiah in the band "Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah" for the better part of three
decades, beginning in the early 1970s. "It was almost honky-tonk, boogie-woogie,
very high speed, very melodic."
Haynes, who lives in Los Angeles, said Mr. Jeremiah had become ill a couple of
weeks ago and died of complications from pneumonia.
Mr. Jeremiah spent more than 20 years playing piano with bands at venues across
Chicago and the United States, beginning in the early 1970s, Haynes said.
Although he could be a "curmudgeon" off-stage, "On stage, he was extremely
animated and a lot of fun. He would dance, he would do Jerry Lee Lewis-like runs
on the piano. He was a true piano player."
In recent years, Mr. Jeremiah had moved back to downstate Percy, where he grew
up, Haynes said. Mr. Jeremiah had been helping plan a reunion concert in Chicago
for "Aliotta Haynes and Jeremiah," Haynes said. The concert, which does not yet
have a venue, was expected to be a fund-raiser for the Greater Chicago Food
Depository. Now, Haynes said, it's likely to be part fund-raiser and part
memorial concert.
Survivors include Mr. Jeremiah's wife, Eva Jeremiah, the funeral home confirmed.
Funeral arrangements were pending late Monday.
Copyright © 2011 - Sun-Times Media, LLC
Lake Shore Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNSmAl7hF0
Pianist wrote famous part for 'Lake Shore Drive' dies
By Stefano Esposito
STAFF REPORTER
Staff Reporter
Last Modified: Dec 6, 2011 02:13AM
On the 40th anniversary of the well-known anthem "Lake Shore Drive," the man who
wrote the instantly recognizable piano part for the song has died.
John Jeremiah - known for his sparkling, animated piano playing - died Monday at
Memorial Hospital in Chester in downstate Illinois, the funeral home handling
the services confirmed Monday. Mr. Jeremiah was 65.
"He had a very unique style of playing," said Skip Haynes, who played with Mr.
Jeremiah in the band "Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah" for the better part of three
decades, beginning in the early 1970s. "It was almost honky-tonk, boogie-woogie,
very high speed, very melodic."
Haynes, who lives in Los Angeles, said Mr. Jeremiah had become ill a couple of
weeks ago and died of complications from pneumonia.
Mr. Jeremiah spent more than 20 years playing piano with bands at venues across
Chicago and the United States, beginning in the early 1970s, Haynes said.
Although he could be a "curmudgeon" off-stage, "On stage, he was extremely
animated and a lot of fun. He would dance, he would do Jerry Lee Lewis-like runs
on the piano. He was a true piano player."
In recent years, Mr. Jeremiah had moved back to downstate Percy, where he grew
up, Haynes said. Mr. Jeremiah had been helping plan a reunion concert in Chicago
for "Aliotta Haynes and Jeremiah," Haynes said. The concert, which does not yet
have a venue, was expected to be a fund-raiser for the Greater Chicago Food
Depository. Now, Haynes said, it's likely to be part fund-raiser and part
memorial concert.
Survivors include Mr. Jeremiah's wife, Eva Jeremiah, the funeral home confirmed.
Funeral arrangements were pending late Monday.
Copyright © 2011 - Sun-Times Media, LLC
Lake Shore Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNSmAl7hF0
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