1954 - 02/02/2024

Ken Zimmerman passed away February 2, 2024 at his Stickney home with his wife, Mari, at his bedside. He’d been diagnosed in August 2023 with lung, bone and brain cancer. He was 69.  He was born in 1954 and grew up in Berwyn. He graduated from Morton West High School.

“In our 20s, me and him used to drive to all the old blues clubs in the city. We just loved the music,” said his lifelong friend Dan Senediak.  Mr. Zimmerman was working for a large printing company when he bought the Harlem Avenue Lounge, at 3701 S. Harlem Ave., from a family member, removed a few coolers to build a stage and began hosting blues musicians.