02-13-2018, 11:24 AM
Over the weekend I heard of the passing of another much forgotten lady of music. Jo Mapes, a fixture on the Chicago folk music circuit during the 1950s and 1960s who later sacrificed her career upon starting a family, died Feb. 2 at the age of 86. She was a regular performer at the Gate of Horn, a Chicago music club that spawned the likes of Bob Gibson and was also the writer of songs covered by the likes of the Monkees, the Association and Spanky and Our Gang. A fellow Chicago folk singer described her as not only a great entertainer but also at the time drop-dead gorgeous, sort of like Marilyn Monroe with a guitar.
Once she started her family, however, she pretty much withdrew from the scene and thereafter only performed occasionally. She also took a job as an entertainment writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Was also once offered a gig but turned it down because she couldn't perform her own material. The gig went to Judy Collins. It was her unwillingness to sacrifice her family for her career which prevented her from becoming as big a name as Ms. Collins or Joan Baez.
Once she started her family, however, she pretty much withdrew from the scene and thereafter only performed occasionally. She also took a job as an entertainment writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Was also once offered a gig but turned it down because she couldn't perform her own material. The gig went to Judy Collins. It was her unwillingness to sacrifice her family for her career which prevented her from becoming as big a name as Ms. Collins or Joan Baez.