Pervis Spann facts for kids

Pervis Spann (born August 16, 1932 – died March 14, 2022) was an American radio host, music promoter, and important person in the music world. He was a popular disc jockey on the radio station WVON. Pervis Spann played a big role in making blues music famous in Chicago, Illinois.

Early Life and Beginnings

Pervis Spann was born in a town called Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16, 1932. When he was a teenager, he helped his family a lot. He picked cotton and managed the Dixie Theater, which was the only movie theater for Black people in his town. He took over these jobs after his mother had a stroke and could no longer do them.

In 1949, Pervis, his sister, and his mother moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. Soon after, Pervis left to work in Gary, Indiana. He also served in the military during the Korean War. After his time in the military, he came back to Chicago, Illinois. There, he worked in a steel mill, drove a taxi, and fixed television sets.

A Career in Radio and Music

Pervis Spann wanted to work in radio. He used a program called the G.I. Bill to attend the Midwestern Broadcasting School. This program helps military veterans get an education. In 1959, he started his first radio job at WOPA radio.

In 1960, Pervis organized his very first concert. It featured famous musicians like B.B. King and Junior Parker. Three years later, in 1963, brothers Leonard and Phil Chess started a new radio station called WVON. Pervis Spann was given a regular late-night show where he played blues music.

He became well-known for something special he did on the radio. He stayed on the air for 87 hours without sleeping! This "sleepless sit-in" was to raise money for Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1962, at a show in Chicago, Pervis Spann was the first person to call Aretha Franklin "the Queen of Soul".

During the 1960s, Pervis Spann helped manage the careers of many top blues and soul artists, including B.B. King. He also said he helped discover the famous Jackson 5 and singer Chaka Khan. Pervis owned parts of several music clubs, like one called the Burning Spear.

After WVON was sold in 1975, Pervis helped start a new radio station in 1979. This station, WXOL, played blues and gospel music on the same radio frequency. Four years later, in 1983, it became WVON again. Pervis continued to organize blues festivals and also ran a radio station called WXSS in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1980s.

Public Service and Recognition

Pervis Spann also tried to get involved in politics. He ran for mayor of Chicago as a Republican in 1991. However, he lost in the first round of voting. Eight years later, he ran for a seat on the Chicago City Council. The famous singer James Brown even visited the South Side to help Pervis with his campaign.

In 2012, Pervis Spann was honored for his contributions to music. He was added to the Blues Hall of Fame. This is a special place that recognizes people who have made a big impact on blues music.

Family Life

Pervis Spann was married to his wife, Lovie, for 67 years. They stayed together until he passed away. They had four children: Melody, Darrell, Latrice, and Chanté. His daughter, Melody, became the head of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, which owns WVON. His son, Darrell, helped take care of him in his later years.

Pervis Spann died at his home in the South Side of Chicago on March 14, 2022. He was 89 years old and passed away from Alzheimer's disease.