Joseph Francis Charles Jr.

Blues Artist and Master Craftsman

“Life is hard, so you might as well do what you love.”

— Joe Charles (1951–2023)

“How about it for Joe Charles singin’ and playin’ the blues for you!”

— Koko Taylor

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph “Joe” Francis Charles, Jr. (71) from complications of a stroke.

Beloved son of the late Joseph Francis Charles, Sr. and stepson of Claudette Rauth Charles Hoover, Joe is survived by his best friend, soulmate and former spouse, Anne Boyle; his faithful cattle dog companion, Zoe; and his siblings, in order of age: sister Jonel Charles Menzel, stepbrother Douglas Rauth Charles, half-siblings Stan and Cindy Charles, and honorary siblings from Claudette’s subsequent marriage: Claudine, Bob and Donna Hoover.

In 1993, Joe was welcomed into the Boyle family when he married Anne. Her brothers and sister, nieces and nephews all enjoyed his sense of humor, kindness and generosity of spirit.

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Born in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood in 1951, Joe Charles had the heart and soul of a blues musician. The city was his playground during the golden age of the electric Chicago blues, when bluesmen such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon swapped their acoustic guitars for electric instruments, rounded out the sound with drums, harmonicas and standup bass, and invented a pulsing new sound that electrified audiences, drove music lovers onto the dance floor and laid the groundwork for rhythm & blues and rock and roll.

Steeped in these rich musical traditions, Joe studied piano, guitar and accordion. He picked up his first harmonica at the age of 13. After graduating from Senn High School in 1970 and attending Columbia College, he hit the road on an epic cross-country trip, honing his harmonica skills as he traveled from coast to coast.

He added vocals to the mix when he formed his first band and none of the other musicians could carry a tune. In the years that followed, Joe’s rich, booming baritone would reflect the influences of Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Joe Williams and the rhythm and blues greats that he counted among his many musical inspirations.

He began playing professionally in the seventies, recorded his first album in 1975 and followed up with a single a few years later. His early and abiding blues influences included Muddy Water, Little Walter, Big Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson I and II.

During this period, he was a regular fixture on the local music circuit and played with blues greats Big Walter, Floyd Jones, Eddie Taylor, Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor. He performed extensively on the North Side club circuit at legendary Chicago venues such as Biddy Mulligan’s, Minstrels and Wise Fools Pub. He was a member of Blues By Five, the first blues band to play at Kingston Mines.

In 1990, he formed the Not Just Rhythm & Blues Quartet with bass player Dave Knopf, guitarist Mark Wydra and drummers Bob Carter and Twist Turner. “The name says it all,” he told a local reporter. “We’re trying to catch the eclectic range of the material we do—everything from classic Chicago-style electric blues to the occasional crooner ballad, Chuck Berry groove or rock-a-billy thumper.” His last band, Joe Charles and the Blue Heelers, was formed in the late 1990s.

When Joe wasn’t creating music, he was channeling his talents in other ways. It has been said that “A carpenter builds things, but a craftsman creates a work of art.” Joe was definitely the latter. A master carpenter by day, he spent a decade transforming the 1890 farmhouse that he bought with his partner, Anne, into an architectural masterpiece. This lovingly restored historic structure stands today as a testament to his creativity and attention to detail.

A gregarious presence in the Bowmanville community for nearly 30 years, Joe could always be counted on for a friendly chat with passersby as he worked on the house and garden that he shared with Anne.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, neighbors, blues fans and fellow musicians. Our days were enriched by his companionship, humor and talent—and the soundtrack of our lives will be less rich and resonant with his passing.

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Friends and family will gather for memorial services on Saturday, May 13, from 2-5pm (service begins 3pm) at Drake & Son Funeral Home at 5303 N. Western Avenue in Chicago.

After the service, we will gather at the Half Acre Brewery at 2050 W. Balmoral Avenue in Chicago to celebrate Joe’s life and listen to the music that he loved, played by his fellow musicians and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund at https://www.sweetrelief.org/.

For more information, please contact the Drake & Son Funeral Home at 773.561.6874 or www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com.