One of the pioneers of 1970s and 1980s "women's music" has died. Therese Edell, who battled multiple sclerosis much of her life, passed away in early March. She was a frequent performer at women's music festivals. Edell received the Jane Schlissman Award for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Music at the National Women's Music Festival in 1998.
There was not much information available about her passing, but her own website homepage stated the following, in Edell's own words:
"I started in the 1970s by changing the pronouns of love songs at bar and coffeehouse performances. I sang to entertain and to tell people that it didn't matter whom you loved but that you loved. Betsy Lippitt and I performed intimate concerts across the country booked by Teresa; quickly, we became a part of a grassroots effort to build and work within a network of women's production and distribution companies. To this day, those women are our dearest friends and family.
"For several years from 1978 through the mid-1980s, I was the unofficial Voice of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. I was involved in every festival as a performer, sound engineer, or announcer since the second gathering in 1978. Audio recordings include Prophecy's Child ( 1970 ) , From Women's Faces ( 1978 ) , and For Therese ( 1990 ) . I composed the song and score for the documentary film Heroes and Strangers ( 1984 ) .
"In 1987, as a result of the progression of my disease, I became a composer. Through the enormous assistance of various local and state organizations and a terrific birthday gift from Teresa, my MacIntosh computer has seen many incarnations. With this equipment, I have completed several commissioned chamber music and choral works. I am most proud of "This Longest Night" and "Goddess and Guru"; both works have been performed by MUSECincinnati's Women's Choir.
"I remain a fun-loving eccentric who lives with her partner of over 20 years. My concerns and interests are not all that different from the ones I had in my twenties. I love music and I compose because it's the best way I know to express myself. Outside of that, I spend time with my friends and watch as much Major League baseball as humanly possible."
PASSAGES
John Steven Kohler
John Steven "Steve" Kohler died peacefully in his sleep, just five days before making his annually trip from Long Beach to Chicago. He was 47.
Every March he would meet up with his best friends and Illinois alumni, Terri Bimm & Mark Fellows, for some homemade mac & cheese, great conversation and hours of NCAA basketball. In between games, he would still manage to see all of his other Chicago friends.
Kohler was born in Memphis, Tenn., and moved to Champaign, Ill., where he went to high school and college. After graduation, he moved to Chicago; having a great appreciation for food and beverage, he found his way into that industry.
While working at places like Dos Hermanos, Big Bowl, Bad Dog Tavern and Scot's Bar, Kohler cultivated great lasting friendships. By 2006, Steve's family had all moved to California, and after much thought and more than 20 years in Chicago, he decided to move west to be closer. However, Kohler never forgot his Midwest buddies. There was always a Christmas card, a birthday card or a just-because-he-was thinking-of-you card arriving in your mailbox.
Steve would always greet you with a big smile and a "Hi, hon." Possessing a voracious appetite for reading, along with being an early riser ( especially on Sundays ) he would knock off a few chapters of a current novel and read the Sunday New York Times, memorizing the sports page, then finishing its crossword puzzle, completelyand he did all that while listening to the morning political shows! Then he was ready to have a lively discussion with friends he saw that day, about what he learned already, before any of them were even awake! He was a lover of life and people, also one of the most kind, honest and sincere souls that ever lived. He will be missed by many, but our memories of him, will last a lifetime.
Kohler was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Stevenson-Kohler; and is survived by his father, John, stepmother Linda Kohler, sister Karla Tucker ( Kent ) , niece Amber and nephew Cody.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26 at Newport Center United Methodist Church in Corona del Mar, Calif., followed by a celebration of Steve's Life at Cafe Piccolo, where he had worked for the past four years. His friends at Scot's Bar will also have a memorial for him March 26, 1-3 p.m.
For additional information, please email newsletter@chicagoscotsbar.com .