Died On This Date (April 10, 2013) Jimmy Dawkins / Chicago Blues Great

Jimmy Dawkins
October 24, 1936 – April 10, 2013

jimmy-dawkinsJimmy Dawkins was a Chicago blues great who earned the somewhat ironic nickname of “Fast Fingers” in that his performances were generally more deliberate and less flashy than that name might convey.  Think Eric Clapton.  Born about 75 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 1955 and began gigging around town while establishing himself as an in-demand session player.  In 1969, he signed with Delmark Records who released his critically acclaimed debut album, Fast Fingers.  His follow-up, All For Business, featured Otis Rush on second guitar.  Over the course of his career, Dawkins released over 20 albums.  He also wrote a column for Living Blues magazine.  During the ’80s, Dawkins started his own label, Leric Records.  As a sideman, he can be heard on recordings by the likes of Buddy Guy, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Luther Allison, Sleepy John Estes, and Earl Hooker.  Jimmy Dawkins was 76 when he passed away on April 10, 2013.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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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 (November 20, 2010) Albert “Little Smokey” Smothers / Chicago Bluesman

Albert “Little Smokey” Smothers
January 2, 1939 – November 20, 2010

Little Smokey Smothers was a popular Chicago-area blues singer and guitarist.   Smothers was playing the guitar by the time he turned 15, and within two years, he had moved from his home in Mississippi to Chicago to make his mark.  In those early years, he played with the likes of Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Howlin’ Wolf, for whom he played on his Chess recordings.   During the early ’60s, Smothers met Paul Butterfield and soon helped him form the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.  He played with most of the blues greats during the ’60s, but his career all but dried up by the ’70s so he left the business to work construction.  His music career enjoyed a renaissance during the ’90s – he spent the next several years performing at popular blues festivals and recording albums.  After his health began to deteriorated during the mid-2000s due to diabetes, old friends and collaborators like Elvin Bishop stepped in to help with fund raisers, etc.  On November 20, 2010, Little Smokey Smothers died of natural causes.  He was 71.

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That's My Partner! - Elvin Bishop

Died On This Date (August 26, 1992) Professor Eddie Lusk / Chicago Blues Musician

Eddie Lusk
September 21, 1948 – August 26, 1992

Raised by parents who were Pentacostal ministers, Eddie Lusk was exposed to gospel music at a very young age.  And although he, himself became ordained in 1968, he couldn’t resist the call of the blues music he heard around him on Chicago’s south side.  A pianist since childhood, Lusk went on to play with some of the biggest names in contemporary blues.  That list includes Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor.    Lusk learned he was suffering from colon cancer in 1992.  That revelation apparently lead him to jump to his death into the Chicago River on August 26, 1992.

Thanks to Suzanne Swanson for the assist



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