Died On This Date (February 20, 2013) Magic Slim / Blues Great
themusicsover Magic Slim (Born Morris Holt)
August 7, 1937 – February 20, 2013
Magic Slim was Chicago by way of Mississippi blues man who released some 40 albums over a career that spanned seven decades. Slim initially learned to play the piano, but moved to the guitar after a cotton gin accident took one of his fingers. In 1955, he went to Chicago to check out the local scene. By the mid ’60s he was back for good and offering up a house-rockin’ good time to all who went to see him. By now he was fronting his own band, Magic Slim and the Teardrops and slugging it out at the local juke-joints. He recorded several singles throughout the ’60s and early ’70s until releasing his first album, Born Under a Bad Sign, in 1977. Over the next 35 years, he released albums for such legendary blues labels as Alligator, Wolf, and Blind Pig. During the ’90s, Slim settled in Lincoln, Nebraska where he regularly played with his son, Shawn “Lil’ Slim” Holt. Over the course of his career, Slim was recognized with Band of the Year honors at the W.C. Handy Awards six times. Magic Slim was 75 when he passed away on February 20, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.
What You Should Own
Nick Holt is best remembered as the longtime bassist for his brother’s band, Magic Slim & the Teardrops. Co-forming the band in 1960, Holt played beside his brother for the next 40 years. Besides also fronting the Nick Holt Blues Band, he was also a popular session musician, having worked with the likes of Little Milton and Vance Kelly. He died of brain cancer at the age of 69.