Great Blues clubs stand as the foundation for every great Blues city. In Chicago Theresa’s (also called T’s basement) was the place to be since it’s opening in December of 1949. Theresa Needham (birthname: McLaurin) created a home for the Blues within the confines of a small Southside Chicago apartment block basement. The locale was not just a club that fans frequented, it was a Blues headquarters where talent and style were welcome and musicians were part of the family. The legendary artists Buddy Guy and Junior Wells performed in the house band and other greats like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Earl Hooker played the stage. The club moved from its original S. Indiana Avenue location in 1983 when the landlord refused to renew the lease and Theresa left the club business in 1986. Theresa Needham died in 1992.
— (Blues Foundation press release, 2001.)