Died On This Date (April 23, 2011) Dutch Tilders / Dutch Australian Blues Musician
themusicsover Matthew “Dutch” Tilders
August 29, 1941 – April 23, 2011
Dutch Tilders was a blues musician born in the Netherlands but who moved to Australia with his family while still in his teens. Tilders was playing the harmonica by the time he landed his first gig at the age of 15, but soon switched to the guitar. He went on to release several albums while performing with the likes of Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Back home in Australia, he was dubbed the “Godfather of Blues,” and even the great B.B. King once proclaimed that regardless of his European birth, Tilders was a genuine bluesman. He continued to tour as recently as late 2010 despite the fact that he was diagnosed with lung cancer in May of that same year. Dutch Childers officially retired in February of 2011 and passed away from the cancer on April 23, 2011. He was 69.
Lacy Gibson was a gifted Chicago blues guitarist who over a career that spanned six decades came to be known as a musician’s musician thanks in part to his flashy jazz-influenced guitar skills. He was also revered for his soulful voice. After moving to Chicago from North Carolina in 1949, Gibson immediately immersed himself in the city’s storied blues scene, learning directly from the likes of 
Pinetop Perkins was a Delta blues pianist and singer whose remarkable career spanned from the 1920s until his passing in 2011. At 97, he was one of the last surviving original Delta bluesmen who were still playing and releasing records. In March of 2011, he became the oldest person to ever win a Grammy. It was for Joined At The Hip that he recorded with 
Herman Ernest was a respected New Orleans drummer who, over the course of his career appeared on countless records including those with the likes of Kermit Ruffins, Shemekia Copeland, Jeremy Davenport, and Dr. John. Ernest, who was also known as “Roscoe” to friends and fans, called his hard-hitting style of drumming, “diesel funk.” He spent many years playing with Dr. John – appearing 0n numerous albums over the past two decades as well as on stage as part of his Lower 911 Band. His last appearance with him was on December 30, 2010. Herman Ernest died on March 6, 2011 following a long battle with cancer. He was 59.
Eddie Kirkland was a Jamaican born, American raised blues singer and musician who, thanks to his nearly non-stop touring life was dubbed “The Gypsy Of The Blues.” Kirkland was still a young teen when he ran away from home hidden in the truck of a traveling medicine show. When the show ultimately packed it in, he went back to school and then joined the army. Following his discharge after WWII, he moved to Detroit and met up with