John Kezdy, the iconic Chicago punk musician and lead singer of the post-hardcore punk band the Effigies, tragically passed away in a bike lane collision. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Glencoe, a suburb of Chicago, when an Amazon delivery van illegally stopped in the bike lane. Kezdy, who was an avid cyclist known for his athleticism, collided with the rear of a stopped vehicle and suffered critical injuries.
Local reports state that Kezdy was treated with lifesaving measures at the scene before being rushed to Evanston Hospital. Despite efforts to save his life, he was pronounced dead on Saturday evening at the age of 64. The Glencoe Public Safety Department issued a statement, saying, Based on the initial investigation, the bicyclist was traveling northbound on Sheridan Road past South Avenue when he struck the rear of a stopped Dodge Ram ProMaster.
Kezdy’s passing is a tremendous loss for the punk community and the Chicago music scene. Born and raised in Highland Park, Kezdy pursued a career as an attorney alongside his music endeavors. He even survived the tragic mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth Of July parade in 2022, which had left him injured.
After graduating from Evanston Township High School, Kezdy briefly attended the University of Wisconsin before embarking on his musical journey as the lead singer of the Effigies. The band played a vital role in Chicago’s punk scene during the early ’80s and remained active until 1990.
The Effigies released five albums and several EPs, mostly through their own label, Ruthless Records, which they founded in 1981. Their music, characterized by Kezdy’s stern and declamatory style, influenced a generation of punk musicians. The band reunited in 2004 after a long hiatus and released their first album in nearly two decades, titled Reside.
Aside from his musical accomplishments, Kezdy pursued higher education and earned degrees from Northwestern University and DePaul College of Law. He worked as a prosecutor with the Illinois State’s Attorney Office in Kankakee and later became a bureau chief in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Kezdy retired from the Attorney General’s office in 2021 but continued to engage in part-time legal work.
The news of John Kezdy’s passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes and condolences from fans, fellow musicians, and industry professionals. Esteemed producer Steve Albini expressed his admiration for Kezdy on Twitter, calling him a personal hero and emphasizing the significant impact the Effigies had on his own musical journey.
John Kezdy’s contributions to the punk genre and his unwavering dedication to his craft will forever be remembered and celebrated. His distinctive voice and presence will continue to resonate with generations of punk rock enthusiasts.
In the wake of this tragic incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to be vigilant and considerate of cyclists and pedestrians. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of creating safe and accessible infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation, such as bike lanes, to prevent unfortunate accidents like this from occurring in the future.
