Died On This Date (May 6, 2012) Michael “Iron Man” Burks /Arkansas Blues Man
themusicsover Michael Burks
July 30, 1957 – May 6, 2012
Born in Milwaukee, WI, Michael “Iron Man” Burks was an exceptional electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. By the time he was just five years old, Burks was already making beautiful noise on his guitar standing alongside his father who once played with Sonny Boy Williamson II. During the early ’70s, Burks moved with his family to Camden, Arkansas where his father opened a juke joint. Before he knew it, Burks was fronting the house band who played behind numerous visiting blues greats. After the club closed during the ’80s, Burks all but left the music business altogether to earn a better living at Lockheed. He eventually returned to making music full-time, releasing his debut album, From The Inside Out, in 1997. Over the next two decades, Burk released three more albums for the esteemed Alligator Records while entertaining blues lovers around the world. Upon returning from a European tour on May 6, 2012, Michael “Iron Man” Burks collapsed at the Atlanta International Airport and ultimately died from what was reported to have been a heart attack. He was 54.
What You Should Own
Bugs Henderson was a Dallas, Texas area blues great who, for the better part of the past 50 years has been playing the kind of electric blues that keeps the crowds on their collective feet. Henderson was just a teenager working in a local record store when he would sneak out of his house to check out the latest bands performing in nearby roadhouses. By 1966 he was playing in a band, Mouse and the Traps, who scored a regional hit with “Public Execution.” By the early ’70s, Henderson was an in-demand studio player while establishing himself as a local draw on the stage. Over the years, he either opened for, or shared the stage with the likes of the Allman Brothers, 
Louisiana Red was an Alabama-born blues musician who counted over 50 albums to his credit. Red began making records in 1949, with his first label being the legendary Chess Records. What followed was a series of singles and albums, many of which are essential for any respectable blues collection. A couple of his key albums were The Lowdown Back Porch Blues and Seventh Son, both released in 1963. During the late ’50s, Red performed with the great 
Etta James was an American singer whose songbook included forays into jazz, blues, soul, gospel and rock ‘n roll. Born in Los Angeles, California, James had what many would consider a rough childhood and spent many years in the charge of caregivers. Singing from a young age, James was just 14 when she caught the ear of music impresario, 
Referred to as the “Godfather Of Rhythm and Blues,” Johnny Otis was a man of many aspirations and musical talents. Born and raised in the San Francisco area, Otis went on to become a successful bandleader, producer, songwriter, journalist, talent scout, arranger, disc jockey, vibraphonist, drummer, club owner, merchant, and even politician. His most popular contribution to popular music came by way of “Willie and the Hand Jive,” which sold over 1.5 million copies, rose to #9 on the pop charts, and has since been recorded by the likes of George Thorogood, 