Obituaries
'School Of Rock' Drummer Struck And Killed By Car While Biking
North Shore native Kevin Clark, 32, pursued a career in music after his only movie role. His newest band debuted days before his death.
HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Kevin Clark, the local musician and Highland Park native who appeared in the movie "School of Rock," died early Wednesday after he was struck by a car while riding his bike in Chicago.
Clark, 32, was headed east on Logan Boulevard at Western Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. when he ran a red light and was struck by a southbound Hyundai, according to a Chicago police report.
Paramedics took Clark to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead around 2 a.m., authorities said. Police said the 20-year-old woman behind the wheel of the car that hit him was issued multiple unspecified citations.
Tributes poured in from friends, bandmates and co-stars as news of Clark's death spread. Though he did not pursue a career in acting after his debut portraying drummer Freddy "Spazzy McGee" Jones alongside Jack Black in the 2003 Richard Linklater film, he remained devoted to music.
His latest band, Jess Bess and the Intentions, made its debut performance Saturday at the Legendary Wooden Nickel in Highwood.
Clark worked at a North Side Starbucks and previously taught music at School of Rock Libertyville, his mother told the Chicago Sun-Times.
She said he began playing drums at age 3 and started lessons at 5 before auditioning for "School of Rock" at age 12 after seeing an ad in the back pages of the Highland Park News.
“He loved music. He’s just a raw talent," she told the Sun-Times. "He’s got a heart of gold."
"School of Rock" co-star Rivkah Reyes and Clark remained friends in the two decades since the filming.
love you forever, spaz. i will never forget your hugs and your laugh and the sheer joy on your face when we’d run into each other in chicago. thank you for always showing up for me with that “big brother I never had” energy. pic.twitter.com/aIjYUBn1iS
— rivkah reyes (@rivkahreyes) May 26, 2021
Actor Jack Black described the news as devastating. He shared an image of himself with Clark at a 10-year anniversary screening of the film and cast reunion in Austin, Texas.
A memorial jam session was held Wednesday night at Teddy O'Brien's in Highwood, where Clark played in regular jam sessions and with his band Funk It, Let's Jam.
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