Pervis Spann (August 16, 1932 – March 14, 2022) was an American broadcaster, music promoter, and radio personality. He was a disc jockey on WVON and was influential in the development of blues music in Chicago, Illinois.
During the 1960s, Spann managed the careers of leading blues and soul music performers, including B.B. King, and claimed to have a role in discovering the Jackson 5 and Chaka Khan. He co-owned several clubs, including the Burning Spear. After WVON was sold in 1975, he helped establish a new blues and gospel music-oriented station, WXOL, on the same frequency in 1979. Four years later, it became WVON again. Spann continued to promote blues festivals, and also ran station WXSS in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1980s.
Spann ran for mayor of Chicago as a Republican in 1991, but lost in the primary to George Gottlieb."Low turnout predictions cloud city mayoral race", Chicago Tribune. February 26, 1991. pp. 1, 8."Candidates want turnout, but the reasons why vary", Chicago Tribune. February 26, 1991. Section 2, p. 7." Citywide Results", Chicago Tribune. February 28, 1991. Retrieved January 15, 2022. Eight years later, he ran for the Chicago City Council in the 18th Ward, with James Brown visiting the South Side to campaign for him. Spann was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012.
Spann died from Alzheimer's disease at his home in the South Side of Chicago, on March 14, 2022, at the age of 89.
Personal life
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