Author, Photographer of 'In the Belly of the Blues' Speaks Tonight

The Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., dives into some rich blues music history with author and photographer Terry Abrahamson tonight at 7 p.m.

In the 1970s, Terry Abrahamson—of Oak Park's Abrahamson Fur Salon family—traveled on the road with some of music's greatest legends, including Muddy Waters, George Thorogood and the Rolling Stones.

Over the years, Abrahamson was even able to pen some hits of his own. He co-wrote three songs with Waters, and ended up winning a Grammy Award for the Muddy Waters recording, Bus Driver. Abrahamson is also credited with writing George Thorogood's first vinyl recording and with creating John Lee Hooker's first live radio commercial for Levis.

He was even backstage the night Waters was joined by the Rolling Stones in 1979 at the Quiet Knight—two years before the legendary Checkerboard Lounge performances.

Luckily for us, Abrahamson was also taking pictures constantly along the way.

At his discussion tonight, visitors will be able to see photos and rare videos of these legends, and even get a chance to hear some never released songs he wrote for Waters, Thorogood, Hooker, the Chambers Brothers and Joan Jett.

Copies of Abrahamson's book, In the Belly of the Blues, will also be available for purchase and to get a signed copy.

Best of all, the program is free and open to all members of the public in collaboration with the Oak Park Photography Club.

Abrahamson's appearance at the library is part of a continuing series of events this month and into March that explore the history and culture surrounding uniquely American forms of music.