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Bunkers Pays Tribute To Longtime Artist

With promising signs ahead and COVID restrictions loosening, the operators of Bunkers Music Cafe are hoping to bring live music back early this summer.

But sadly, a man who graced the stage there for decades will not be back. Guitarist Billy Franze passed away in late April. And for more than a week, fans have been leaving cards and flowers outside the music venue where he played with Dr. Mambo’s Combo for 30+ years.

The staff held a memorial service for him inside Bunkers on Thursday evening.

“Billy was part of Dr. Mambo’s Combo band which entertained many of our community residents here in the North Loop neighborhood for many years and was a great soul and musician,” said Bunkers owner James Kline, “loved by his family and peers.”