Died On This Date (April 10, 2013) Jimmy Dawkins / Chicago Blues Great

Jimmy Dawkins
October 24, 1936 – April 10, 2013

jimmy-dawkinsJimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey.  Think Eric Clapton.  Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player.  In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers.  His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar.  Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums.  He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine.  During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records.  As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Luther Allison, Sleepy John Estes, and Earl Hooker.  Jimmy Dawkins was 76 when he passed away on April 10, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Died On This Date (August 26, 1992) Professor Eddie Lusk / Chicago Blues Musician

Eddie Lusk
September 21, 1948 – August 26, 1992

Raised by parents who were Pentacostal ministers, Eddie Lusk was exposed to gospel music at a very young age.  And although he, himself became ordained in 1968, he couldn’t resist the call of the blues music he heard around him on Chicago’s south side.  A pianist since childhood, Lusk went on to play with some of the biggest names in contemporary blues.  That list includes Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor.    Lusk learned he was suffering from colon cancer in 1992.  That revelation apparently lead him to jump to his death into the Chicago River on August 26, 1992.

Thanks to Suzanne Swanson for the assist



Died On This Date (August 12, 1997) Luther Allison / Chicago Blues Legend

Luther Allison
August 17, 1939 – August 12, 1997

Luther Allison was a gifted Chicago blues guitarist who backed up both Howlin’ Wolf and James Cotton.  One of his first admires was Muddy Waters who invited Allison to join him on stage when he was just 18.  He started making records in the early ’60s and building a substantial following based in part on his lengthy live shows.   In 1972, Allison became the first and one of the few ever blues artists to be signed to Motown Records.  During the late ’70s, he moved to France where he was very popular.  He eventually moved back to the United States were he continued to perform and record well into the ’90s.  In 1997, Luther Allison died of a brain tumor at the age of 57.

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Luther's Blues - Luther Allison

Died On This Date (May 5, 2010) Willie Pooch / Popular Ohio Blues Singer

Willie Pooch (Born William Joseph)
1937 – May 5, 2010

Willie Pooch was a popular Columbus, Ohio area blues singer who began his career in gospel groups while still just a child in and around Tupelo, Mississippi.  During his teens, he and his family moved to Chicago where Pooch fell under the tutelage of Luther Allison who schooled him in the art of the blues guitar.  Over the next several years, Pooch played with the likes of Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Hound Dog Taylor.  After spending many years touring the mid west, Pooch settled in Columbus during the early ’60s.  By then he was fronting his own band who became a local blues staple for the better part of the next four decades.  On May 5, 2010, Willie Pooch died from complications of diabetes.  He was 72 years old.

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