Died On This Date (April 11, 2011) Lacy Gibson / Respected Chicago Blues Guitarist

Lacy Gibson
May 1, 1936 – April 11, 2011

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 Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.  During the ’60s, he became a popular session player for the local labels, including Chess, where he actually sang on at least one recording by Buddy Guy.  Over the course of his career, Gibson recorded or performed with the likes of Sun Ra (his brother-in-law), Jimmy Reed, Son Seals, and Otis Rush.  He released three of his own albums between 1971 and 1996, and continued to be a mainstay on local stages until his ill health kept him away in recent years.  Lacy Gibson died of a heart attack on April 11, 2011.  He was 74.

Thanks to Joel Oberstein at New Releases Now! for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (March 21, 2011) Pinetop Perkins / Blues Great

Joseph “Pinetop” Perkins
July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011

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 Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.  Perkins began his career as a guitarist, but was forced to switch to piano after he injured the tendons in one of his arms.   By the 1950s, he was touring with Earl Hooker. He also made his first record, “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie,” at Sam Phillips’ legendary Sun Studios in Memphis.  Perkins moved to Chicago in 1968 and within a year, he was hired by Muddy Waters to replace Otis Spann in his band.   Perkins played with Waters for more than a decade.  It wasn’t until 1988 – and countless vinyl appearances as a sideman – that Perkins finally released his first album, After Hours.   He went on to record several more over the next three decades.  In 2004, while driving in La Porte, Indiana, 94-year-old Perkins was struck by a train – yes a TRAIN – and although his car was demolished, he walked away with minor injuries.  Perkins continued to perform a couple shows nearly every week in Austin where he had eventually settled.  Pinetop Perkins passed away on March 21, 2011.

Thanks to Stephen Brower for the assist.

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Joined At the Hip: Pinetop Perkins & Willie

Died On This Date (March 6, 2011) Herman Ernest / Drummer For Dr. John

Herman Ernest
August 12, 1951 – March 6, 2011

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.



Died On This Date (February 27, 2011) Eddie Kirkland / American Blues Great

Eddie Kirkland
August 16, 1923 – February 27, 2011

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 John Lee Hooker.  He went on to work with Hooker, often providing the second guitar on his records and serving as an occasional road manager.  He left to pursue a solo career in 1962.  Throughout the years, Kirkland also performed with the likes of Otis Redding, Muddy Waters and Foghat, and  made several records for such labels as King, Volt and Fortune Records.  He continued to record and tour well in to the 2000s.   On February 27, 2011, Eddie Kirkland was killed when the car which he was driving on a Florida highway was reportedly struck by a bus.  He was 87.



Died On This Date (December 17, 2010) Robin Rogers / Contemporary Blues Singer

Robin Rogers
DOB Unknown – December 17, 2010

Robin Rogers was a contemporary blues singer who built herself a sizable following throughout southeastern United States and beyond.  Most recently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rogers ran away from home in her early teens and eventually found her voice as a singer while on the road.  By the early ’80s, Rogers was living in South Florida where she first recorded for Sal Sol.  In more recent years, she cut albums for 95 North and Blind Pig Records.  Robin Rogers passed away on December 17, 2010 after battling liver cancer.

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Back In the Fire - Robin Rogers