I am just heartsick over Bill Levak's passing. Dore Capitani called me yesterday with the terrible news. Dore and Bill had become close as they both live in the Palm Springs, California area and got together most weekends to "trade lies"!!!. I talked and exchanged emails with Bill almost weekly and he was so excited and proud of his brand new cd he and his band had just recorded. Bill was very much looking forward to coming home this summer and reuniting with his old friends and bandmates and especially to jam with Bob...Everytime I talked to Bill he always brought up Bob's name....he loved him like a brother...There are so many people that will miss Bill horribly and God Bless him and his family.
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Bill Levak 59, resident of Anza, California, formerly from North Chicago, IL passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Bill was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on August 20, 1949. He graduated from North Chicago Community High School in 1967. He moved to California in 1978.
Bill was a talented musician, learning to play the drums when he was a student at Neal Junior High School in North Chicago, Illinois.
He is probably best remembered as the drummer for the popular Waukegan bands, the "Empires", the "Outspoken Blues", and the "Brydes" in the mid 60's.
Bill performed with the bands at numerous suburban Chicago area teen clubs, including the "Wild Goose" in Waukegan, Illinois, the "Green Gorilla" in Des Plaines, Illinois, the "New Place" in Algonquin, Illinois, and the "Pink Panther", in Deerfield, Illinois.
Bill performed with the Outspoken Blues when they were the opening act for numerous recording acts including the "Turtles", the "Cryan' Shames", the "Strawberry Alarm Clock", and "Tommy James & The Shondells".
When he lived in Chicago, if you were looking for Billy you could always find him in the Blues Clubs. The blues was his passion and real love.
After moving to San Diego, California, Bill played in many bands throughout Southern California, including "Ann's Parade", "The Deacons", and "Ricky B & the Stingers"! Just prior to his passing, Bill had completed recording, with his band, a new CD of which he was very proud.
From: Herb Eimerman
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:15:52
For those of you out there who knew Billy Levak, drummer for Ricky B & the Stingers. Billy Passed on Saturday March 29th . Billy took his own life. He was 59 years old. All who knew him personally are devastated. Unknown to his friends, Billy suffered from severe depression & tried to cure his problem with alcohol. He was originally from North Chicago, Illinois & moved out west to Ca. around 30 years ago. He spent some 3 years or so gigging in Phoenix, Arizona, returning to Ca. about 3 years ago. Billy ran a blues jam at his place every Tues nite with some of his & my friends strictly for the joy of playing the blues, his real love. Then on week-ends played the required material with the Stingers for dance gigs. Always playing great! At Present there have been no services scheduled however anyone caring to be notified may contact me at [email protected]. Billy enriched the lives of many people and will be very greatly missed.......Ricky B
SR0690 LRB095 20972 GRL 49995 r
1 ILLINOIS SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Bill Levak of Anza, California, formerly
4 of North Chicago, who passed away on March 29, 2008; and
5 WHEREAS, Bill Levak was born on August 20, 1949 in
6 Waukegan; his parents were Peter Paul Levak and Delores (Levak)
7 Karlovich; and
8 WHEREAS, Bill Levak graduated from North Chicago Community
9 High School in 1967; he moved to California in 1978; and
10 WHEREAS, Bill Levak was a talented musician who learned to
11 play the drums when he was a student at Neal Jr. High School,
12 under the leadership of Frank Laurie; he spent time in many
13 cities across the country doing gigs and meeting other
14 musicians who, in time, became his friends; he was also a well
15 known figure in the blues clubs of Chicago; he never lost his
16 dream to play his music and someday make it to the big time;
17 and
18 WHEREAS, Bill Levak was preceded in death by his father;
19 and
20 WHEREAS, Bill Levak is survived by his children, Jacob and
Ryland; his mother; his sisters, Sandy Liskey and Cookie (Gary)
2 Keene; and his nephew, Joshua Keene; therefore, be it
3 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
4 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
5 his family and friends, the passing of Bill Levak; and be it
6 further
7 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8 presented to the family of Bill Levak as an expression of our
9 sympathy.
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