How Acclaimed Musician Ike Reilly ‘Fell Through the Cracks’ but Found Happiness in His Hometown
A Life of Authenticity and Purpose
Singer-songwriter Ike Reilly has been praised by the New York Times and author Stephen King. He’s been compared to music legends like Bob Dylan. His live shows are legendary. So why isn’t Libertyville’s philosophical Rock-n-Roller a household name?
A Life of Purpose
Reilly’s answer is simple: “I didn’t leave town here, my mother is here. She’s 98. I see her every day. My grandkids live here. I see them. I also am not waiting for anything to happen.” While he was not waiting, a remarkable life is what happened to the 62-year-old singer.
A Life of Music
Reilly is the frontman of the acclaimed band, the Ike Reilly Assassination. Despite glowing reviews and passionate fans, he hasn’t found commercial success that matches the scale of his talent. “You can’t really wait for people’s approval, you know? You only have this much time to do anything,” he said.
A Life of Freedom
For Reilly, making music was never about making money. It’s always been an act of necessity, not ambition. “I’m ambitious when it comes to spending time with my family,” he said. He spends time with his children, and his 96-year-old mom every day. But when he’s alone, Reilly rides like a rebel on the seat of his Honda, through Libertyville’s treelined streets, his hair blowing in the breeze.
A Life of Meaning
Reilly’s music draws on his past jobs. He worked as a gravedigger and as a downtown doorman at Chicago’s Park Hyatt. “That hotel really showed me the de facto caste system that exists in America,” he said. His blue-collar bones form the skeleton that supports and shapes his body of work.
A Life of Film
Reilly’s career is the subject of a documentary film called “Don’t Turn your Back on Friday Night.” Tom Morello, the legendary guitarist of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, is one of the film’s producers. “Ike Reilly to me is very much like Jimmy Stewart’s character in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ You know, he’s someone who had a particular skillset and particular dreams to do a particular thing outside of his hometown but ended up staying and writing a beautiful story for himself,” Morello said.
A Life of Legacy
Reilly’s body of work is now the subject of a documentary film that explores the album’s commercial failure, Reilly’s financial difficulties, and his struggles with alcohol. “I didn’t think the film was going to be so personal,” he said. “It ended up being a really personal film. That included my life here in Libertyville, and my family, and my wife who really wanted nothing to do with it at all, and still doesn’t.”
A Life of Legacy
Reilly’s sons are now part of the band. “It’s a blast,” he said. “And my band has been so welcoming. They’ve known these kids since they were born for the most part and the guys, they can all sing – and it’s kind of a weird folk, rock, punk review.” And Reilly relishes the shorthand he has with his band, developed over decades. “There aren’t many lines of work where you have this weird connection to human beings, through a shared experience and knowledge,” he said.
A Life of Legacy
Libertyville’s slogan “the spirit of independence,” could be the title of Reilly’s own story. “It really sort of cements the meaning of the Ike Reilly story to date,” Morello said. “Which is a weaving, or a life authentically lived in the place where you actually live it.” Anchored in Libertyville, surrounded by family, with no need to look for happiness anywhere, but here.
Conclusion
Ike Reilly’s story is one of authenticity and purpose. Despite falling through the cracks commercially, he has created a lifetime body of work that is very meaningful. His music draws on his past jobs, and his blue-collar bones form the skeleton that supports and shapes his body of work. Reilly’s legacy is one of a life authentically lived in the place where he actually lives it.
FAQs
Q: What is Ike Reilly’s background?
A: Ike Reilly is a singer-songwriter and the frontman of the acclaimed band, the Ike Reilly Assassination.
Q: What is the documentary film about?
A: The documentary film, “Don’t Turn your Back on Friday Night,” explores Ike Reilly’s career, including his commercial failure, financial difficulties, and struggles with alcohol.
Q: What is the significance of Libertyville in Ike Reilly’s life?
A: Libertyville is Ike Reilly’s hometown, where he lives with his family and has spent most of his life. He has a deep connection to the town and its people.
Q: What is the message of Ike Reilly’s story?
A: Ike Reilly’s story is one of authenticity and purpose. He has found happiness and fulfillment in his life by staying true to himself and his art, rather than chasing commercial success.
