Steve Kessler strums his guitar inside his family's Wicker Park clothing store and reflects on a music career that goes back six decades.
"I started gigging at 12 or 13, playing friends Bar mitzvah parties," he smiled.
He's been a fixture on the Chicago music scene since his early days at Northwestern. His resume lists a myriad of clubs, dives and venues, some lost in time.
"Oh man, most of them aren't even around anymore. There was a place called Huey's up by Loyola I used to play there a lot. There was a famous club called The Quiet Night on West Belmont, we opened for some famous people there. A place called COD's, I played the Park West when I was just out of college. So many, " he smiled.
He describes his music as pop rock, the front man for the Saturday June Band.
"Saturday is my stage name. We came up with that name back in the 70's after Northwestern. I auditioned for professional bands after school. I played with a band called Chariot, which was a cover band. We were playing the top rooms in Chicago. One of our roadies was a fellow named Eddie Vedder, " he laughed.
They blend covers and original rock-and-blues music. Over his career, Kessler has shared the stage or billed with iconic acts. These include Steve Goodman, The Smithereens, Johnny Rivers, Jimmy Webb, The Beach Boys, and The Turtles.
"I took a break in the 90's to raise my kids but when I returned, I decided to do my own music. I kinda restarted my career and reached new heights. I found that I was more successful than when I first started"
He soon was playing every month to people at Navy Pier.
The early days of The Saturday June Band
Steve Kessler
Over the years, he says, not only has the way people consume music changed, but live music gigs are less about the music and more about your following.
"The live music culture has changed quite a bit. Now people go to clubs to hear DJs and dance. It's done a 180 over the last decade. If you're doing live music and you want to play that club, the owner will ask how many people I was going to bring. It's evolved into if you play clubs, you better have a following. If you're not any good, it doesn't matter. If you can bring in 100 people, you can play any club you want. Owners care more about people spending money and buying beers. The clubs used to be a drawn onto themselves, now you have to have people come out to see you." he said.
He admits it's been an adjustment. The life of a musician isn't an easy one.
"It's not for the faint of heart to be 73 and want to play clubs," he laughed. "I have found a niche in the park districts though. They offer free live concerts outdoors. I've played a 100 of those kinds of shows," he said.
Kessler owned a record store for 25 years in Highland Park but when the internet arrived he said his business dried up.
"When Napster and iTunes arrived, there was really no industry anymore. So we decided to go the clothing route. My daughter and I decided to combine the two. Rock N Rags opened in 2013. We now have three locations." he smiled.
Steve Kessler and his son David performing together
Lisa Fielding/WBBM Newsradio
His son, David, is also a musician and has his own following.
"I'm proud of them. It's the greatest thing in the world. It's kind of funny, my son is better than I am now. He's guitar playing is better, he's incredible. In my band, we play my songs and we play his songs. He does a set and I do a set. The last time we played, he sold more tickets than I did. I let him be the headliner last time," he smiled. "We all have big egos, but he's my son and he's incredibility gifted."
At 73, he hasn't slowed down.
Kessler books about 17 shows each summer and he's released a new single on Spotify which has surpassed 53-thousand streams. Kessler has released three acclaimed, all-original solo albums. He continues to release singles like "Since You Left Me" and "Where Are You Samantha.
Kessler says his 12 year old self never thought about still playing in his 70's.
"My dad died of heart disease when he was only 51, so I didn't think I'd live to be in my 70s. The thought of not playing, I can't go there. What would I do? Who would I be? Music is who I am. Most of my musician fans don't call me Steve, they call me Saturday. Saturday is much cooler than Steve," he laughed.
For more information about Kessler and The Saturday June Band, click here.
The Saturday June Band
Steve Kessler
