Herman “The Hermanator” Hines, 81, of Joliet IL, passed away on November 1, 2024. He was born on January 21, 1943 in Forrest City, Arkansas, and grew up on a sharecropping farm near Brownsville Tennessee. Herman dedicated three years of his life to serving in the Army during the Vietnam War. After his military service, Herman embarked on a 30 year career as a correctional officer at Stateville Prison. Upon retirement, he pursued his passion for music as a blues vocalist, performing with The Chicago Blues Angels and The Hurricane Project bands, where he was affectionately known as “The Hermanator” for his powerful and soulful vocals.

Herman is survived by his brother John Hines (Mary), brother Stan Taylor (Tammy), brother Henry Taylor (Linda), brother Lasana Taylor (Kathy), brothers Paul Hines and George Taylor Jr, sisters Louise Overton, Mary Hines, Evelyn King, Lenet Thomas and Janet Gunn (Richard), significant other Lisa Ippolito, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Hines Taylor, father William Hines, brothers Obie, Billy and Mark Hines, brother Joe Lee Taylor, and sister Delores Hines.

A military service in his honor will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood IL on Friday, November 22 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Herman’s memory may be made to Lightways Hospice in Joliet IL.


A memorial jam hosted by Victor Sandri and The Fabulous Kings will be held at Cuzins in Tinley Park on Sunday November 24, 2024 from 4-8pm.


Herman’s legacy of service, both in his military and civilian life, and his vital contribution to the blues music scene will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.

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Visit alhurricanespears.com and follow The Hurricane Project on Facebook and Al Hurricane Spears on Instagram.


Search for Herman Hines and The Hurricane Project on Youtube to continue to see and hear Herman.