Lucky Cordell

Chicago radio DJ & r&b singer (b. 28 July 1928, d. 7 July 2015) Moses Lucky Cordell was born in Mississippi. His mother died when Lucky was three, and his family moved to Chicago. Cordell graduated from Dunbar High School in 1946. He went on to a long career in Chicago Radio, initially as a disc jockey (known as the “Baron of Bounce”) and by 1970, he became General Manager at the storied WVON. He also produced records by local arti-dance crazests such as Heaven and Earth, as well as the lesser-known soul group called New Image (1977). He even released a number of spoken-word records under his own name, which all dealt with themes of love, upliftment, spirituality, and building positive character. Lucky Cordell’s two daughters were also recording artists, releasing two very good records under the name “Pat & Pam” in the early 1970s. Cordell was socially engaged and politically minded. He left full-time radio in the 1980s to pursue work with the Chicago Urban League and Operation PUSH. Cordell died tragically at the age of 86 from injuries sustained in a fire at his South Shore home. According to sources close to the family, he put himself in harm’s way attempting to save his daughter, Pat, who became trapped. The fire began in her bedroom, according to her sister Pamela.