Died On This Date (January 8, 2012) Dave Anderson aka Omar Sharriff / Boogie Woogie Blues Pianist & Singer
themusicsover Omar Sharriff (Born Dave Alexander)
March 10, 1938 – January 8, 2012
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dave Alexander became one of the world’s premier players of Texas boogie woogie piano. A self-taught pianist, Alexander began performing at his local church at a very young age. After serving in the US Navy, he settled in San Francisco where he played with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Witherspoon. In 1968, Anderson began making his own records, including the critically acclaimed The Rattler and The Raven. He quickly became a popular draw at the biggest blues festivals around the United States and beyond. On Thanksgiving Day, 1974, Anderson was the opening at the Band’s historic Last Waltz concert in San Francisco. That same year, he changed his name to Omar Khayam so began performing as Omar Sharriff or Omar the Magnificent. He released his last album (as Omar Sharriff) in 2000, but continued to perform well throughout the decade. On January 8, 2012, Dave Anderson reportedly shot and killed himself in his home. He was 73.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
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