Died On This Date (October 7, 2009) Steve Ferguson / NRBQ
themusicsover Steve Ferguson
November 21, 1948 – October 7, 2009
Steve Ferguson is best remembered as a founding guitarist of the New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (later Quartet), or NRBQ. Formed in 1967 in Miami, Florida, the group has amassed a fanatical cult following for its musical gumbo of R&B, jazz, rockabilly, blues, country, and bar-band rock ‘n roll. After playing on just two albums, including a collaboration with Carl Perkins, Ferguson left the group to launch a solo career. Over the next couple of decades, Ferguson kept busy either playing solo, collaborating with former NRBQ band mates, or producing the likes of Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Berry’s former pianist. Although not a name that is recognizable to most music fans, Steve Ferguson is considered one of the era’s greatest and perhaps most underrated guitar players. He died of cancer at the 61 on October 7, 2009.
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