Aadam Jacobs is a notable figure in the Chicago music scene, known for his extensive audio recordings of live shows during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000’s. For two-plus decades, he attended a dozen or more gigs a month, setting up his microphones and deck and audio taping the performances for his private collection. Often referred to as "Chicago's Taping Guy," Jacobs has spent decades capturing thousands of live performances, particularly in Chicago's indie rock and underground music venues. Jacobs' dedication to preserving these live performances has culminated in a vast archive of audio tapes. There are roughly 10,000 tapes with approximately 3 sets per tape so the archive likely is 30,000 separate performances.
His recordings include early performances by bands that went on to achieve significant fame, such as Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and The Flaming Lips. He became a regular at iconic venues like Lounge Ax, The Metro, the Double Door, and the Smart Bar, where he was both a fan and an informal archivist of the live music scene. His meticulous recording and cataloging efforts have created a valuable archive of Chicago's music history, preserving countless performances by both established and emerging artists for future generations to enjoy. Jacobs' passion for music began in his youth, and he quickly became immersed in the local music scene. He started taping shows in the early 1980s, using cassette tapes and later transitioning to DATs and digital formats.
In partnership with the Live Music Archive at the Internet Archive, Jacobs' collection is being digitized and shared with the world. Recordings will be uploaded as they are processed by our Live Music Archive volunteer team. This project started in the fall of 2024. If you want more information about this project contact the Aadam Jacobs Collection Project team by email
