Bluesman Buddy Guy( Born July 30, 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana), has had a long and varied career. He originally got his start towards international recognition as a side man for Chess records and he then became a recording artist with that label. But Buddy Guy’s career didn’t really started to take off until he moved …
Albert King, ( April 23, 1923-December 21, 1992) was the creator of one of the most distinctive guitar styles in the history of the Blues. Playing left handed, on a Gibson Flying V guitar, Albert would actually pull and bend the strings down towards, as he would put it, towards “his big feet.” His use …
Memphis Slim-(September 3, 1915-February 24, 1988) was born John Len Chatman in Memphis, Tennessee. His father was named Peter Chatman. Peter Chatman was a pianist and this helped to inspire Memphis Slim to take up the piano as his instrument of choice. Memphis Slim developed into one of the finest songwriters and the history of …
In the 1950’s a new generation of Blues guitarists and singers appeared on the Chicago Blues scene. Like their predecessors, such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, they were transplanted southerners. However, unlike Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, who played the South Side of Chicago clubs, these younger men based themselves mainly in the clubs …
Howlin’ Wolf, was born Chester Arthur Burnett on June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi. He possessed one of the most appropriate stage monikers in the history of American music. His voice had the growl that bought to mind a wolf howling at the moon. But he would also alternate that growl with a falsetto …
Blues artist John Mayall has been called “The Godfather of the British Blues” scene. From the early 1960’s through his current band his groups have been the trying ground for some of the greatest guitarists in the history of the Blues. John Mayall has had an innate talent for spotting and nurturing talent. It also …
Junior Wells, ( December 9, 1934-January 15, 1998) was one of foremost players of Chicago Blues harmonica. His early work as a member the Muddy Waters was enough to guarantee him a place in music history. However, Junior Wells was not meant to be anyone’s sideman. He possessed an incredible voice that was matched by …
Junior Wells, ( December 9, 1934-January 15, 1998) was one of foremost players of Chicago Blues harmonica. His early work as a member the Muddy Waters was enough to guarantee him a place in music history. However, Junior Wells was not meant to be anyone’s sideman. He possessed an incredible voice that was matched by …
For Blues guitarists coming to maturity in the 1960’s, Freddie King (September 3, 1934-December 28, 1976) was one of the most influential Blues guitarists to come out of Texas. Freddie King possessed a marvelous singing voice. But the greatest impression that Freddie King made in the early 1960‘s were with his finely crafted,and danceable, instrumentals. …
Muddy Waters, is considered by many musicians and Blues fans as being the Godfather of Chicago Blues. Howlin’ Wolf might have disagreed with that assessment and singer/harmonica player Junior used the same moniker after Muddy’s death. None of that really matters though. Muddy Waters was an amazing figure in American Blues, with his deep, almost …