Died On This Date (April 2, 2009) Freddie Everett / Houston Blues Musician

Freddie Everett
June 26, 1959 – April 2, 2009

freddieFreddie Everett was a Houston blues guitarist/singer-songwriter known throughout those parts as “The Texas Legend.”  A guitar virtuoso, some even called him the “Texas Hendrix.”  Throughout his relatively short career, Everett has shared the stage with Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Bo Diddley and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble.   He landed a recording contract with Sony Music, but had been diagnosed with MLS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and was never well enough to make the album.  Freddie Everett died as a result of the disease on April 2, 2009.



Died On This Date (March 17, 2009) Mad Dog Lester Davenport / Chicago Blues Harpist

Lester Davenport
January 16, 1932 – March 17, 2009

Photo by David Bell
Photo by David Bell

“Mad Dog” Lester Davenport was born in Mississippi but settled in Chicago when he was 14 years old.  Throughout his career, Davenport played with Snooky Pryor, Arthur Spires, Homesick James and Bo Diddley.  In the 80s, Davenport hooked up with the Kinsey Report with whom he recorded and toured extensively.  He released his first album in 1992.  Davenport passed away on March 17, 2009 as a result of prostate cancer.

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Died On This Date (February 15, 1968) Little Walter / Blues Great

Little Walter (Born Marion Walter Jacobs)
May 1, 1930 – February 15, 1968

little-walter Little Walter was an influential blues harmonica player whose revolutionary style of play often had later fans calling him the “Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica.”  Little Walter launched his career while still a young teen, busking throughout the southern states.  It was during those early years that he learned the ropes from the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Honeyboy Edwards.  He moved to Chicago in 1945 and began releasing records within two years.  Little Walter began playing with Muddy Waters, both in his band and later on record, during the late ’40s.  Throughout the ’50s, Little Walter released several records on his own with songs like “Juke” and “Roller Coaster” landing on the R&B charts.  As a session player, he can be heard on records by the likes of Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley and Otis Rush.  Notorious for his abuse of alcohol and a hot temper, Littler Walter died in his sleep following a fight outside of a Chicago club.  Though never made official, it is believed that the blows from that encounter inflamed internal injuries sustained from an earlier fight, resulting in a blood clot in the heart.  He was 37 years old.

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The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection: Little Walter - His Best - Little Walter

Died On This Date (February 5, 2009) Piney Brown / Blues Pioneer

Piney Brown
1922 – February 5, 2009

piney-brownPiney Brown was a blues singer and songwriter who was not only known for his dynamic performances but for his skills as a songwriter.  Over the years, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Little Milton and James Brown.  His career spanned the better part of sixty years, and over the course of that time, he shared the stage with such greats as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry.  He released several singles but never had nothing more than a regional hit or two.  Piney Brown was 87 when he passed away on February 5, 2009.

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Piney Brown

Died On This Date (January 17, 1970) Billy Stewart / R&B Singer

Billy Stewart
March 24, 1937 – January 17, 1970

Billy Stewart was an R&B singer who achieved some success during the late ’50s and early ’60s.  He started out in gospel before joining the Rainbows, a popular Washington DC area R&B vocal group.  In 1956, he was reportedly discovered by Bo Diddley who brought him on as a back-up singer.  He was soon signed by Chess Records where he released several hit R&B singles and albums throughout the ’60s.  Tragedy struck in 1970, when he lost control of a car while on tour in North Carolina.  The vehicle landed in a river, killing him and three members of his band.  Billy Stewart was 32 years old when he died.

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Billy Stewart - Billy Stewart