This morning as I was writing a post to pay tribute to the life of the great Johnny Otis, who passed away yesterday, I learned of the passing of one of the greatest artists Johnny ever discovered, Ms. Etta James. While Etta James is a house-hold name (and rightfully so) the name Johnny Otis is sadly becoming less and less known by today’s music fans. Besides giving Etta James her first big break, Mr. Otis also helped start the careers of many top R&B performers. When not performing with his own band he was in the studio recording and producing sides for many of the best R&B performers. It was Johnny Otis who produced and performed on the original 1952 recording of Hound Dog featuring Big Mama Thornton. Two years later in 1954 Otis found himself in the studio again with another young blues singer, a woman by the name of Jamesetta Hawkins. Like Big Mama Thornton, Jamesetta started out performing with The Johnny Otis Band. She then moved to Los Angeles and entered the studio with the band to record what would be her break out song “The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)”. Written by Johnny Otis “The Wallflower” was an answer song to the Hank Ballard tune “Work With Me Annie”. Shortly after the release of the song Jamesetta (now going by the stage name Etta James) started off on a solo career that would last over 50 years. She recorded many smash hits for a number of different labels and released albums up until 2011. In addition to being successful in the recording studio James was also successful on the stage and would continue to be an in-demand performer until 2009 when she was unable to perform due to health issues.
As for Johnny Otis, discovering Etta James was just one of the many highlights in a career that lasted well into his eighties. A true renaissance man, Otis was a songwriter, performer, producer, author, store and bar owner, and painter. He even got involved in politics in his home state of California during the 1960′s. However, with all these accomplishments Johnny Otis is probably best know for writing the hit song “Willie and The Hand Jive” which would sell over 1.5 million copies and be covered by Eric Clapton for his 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard.
During the their lifetimes both Etta James and Johnny Otis brought to joy to millions of fans all over the world, they are both members of multiple halls of fame, and their influence can be heard in the music of artists in every genre of music. They will both be dearly missed.
Every year during this time I feel that it’s important that we take a moment to remember the hard work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Using non-violent methods, Dr. King inspired people to stand up and take action to change a system that was unfair and cruel to not only the African American population of this country but to all minorities who were experiencing discrimination based on their race and the color of their skin. He preached love and togetherness even when his actions were met with violence and hatred. And even when times were at their darkest, Dr. King was somehow able to stay focused and not lose sight of his goal, to have an America that is free of violence, racism, and discrimination. Dr. King may be gone but movement he started lives on today. So in honor of Dr. King I would like to share with you some of my favorite civil rights songs as well as one of my favorite recordings of Dr. King himself. Enjoy.
ARTIS/SONG/ALBUM Mahalia Jackson “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” Gospels, Spirituals, and Hymns (played under spoken word intro) Mavis Staples “You Are Not Alone” You Are Not Alone Big Bill Broonzey “When Will I Get To Be Called A Man?” Trouble In Mind J.B. Lenior “Down In Mississippi” Vietnam Blues Sam Cooke “A Change Is Gonna Come” Portrait Of A Legend
I would like to pass on my condolences to the family of Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins who passed away on Monday March 21, 2011. When most fans think of Pinetop Perkins they think of him backing up the great Muddy Waters, but that was only one part of Pinetop’s career, which lasted more then 70 YEARS! Pinetop was born in 1915 in Mississippi and began playing blues in the late 1920’s. During the 1930’s and 40’s Mr. Perkins played all around the South with a number of different musicians including a three year stint with Sonny Boy Williamson on the King Biscuit Time Radio show where he was sometimes referred to as “Pinetop”. After his time working with Sonny Boy, Mr. Perkins continued to work around the Southern states playing with many different musicians. When not one the road he worked in Memphis playing clubs with artists such as B.B. King and Earl Hooker. While working with Hooker, Pinetop got the chance to record with a young record producer on the scene named Sam Phillips (yes that Sam Phillips) at Sam’s newly formed Sun Records. This is where Pinetop recorded his version of “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” which was originally written by the great Clarence “Pinetop” Smith. This new version would solidify Mr. Perkins’ nickname as Pinetop and the rest is history. Pinetop Perkins was one of the last links to the classic days of Blues music. During his amazing career he played with Sonny Boy Williamson, B.B. King, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Robert Nighthawk, Johnny Winter, and Honeyboy Edwards just to name a few. Last year Pinetop released the album “Joined At The Hip” with fellow Muddy Waters band alumni Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. The album won a Grammy for best Traditional Blues album. Not bad for a 97 year old piano man. Thank you Mr. Perkins for all the great music you left us.
Influenced by musicians such as Robert Johnson and Tampa Red, Elmore James changed the way musicians approached the guitar. Born January 27th 1918 in Richland, Mississippi. Elmore’s first instrument was a Diddley Bow (a single string attached to the wall). He then picked up the guitar as a teenager and started playing juke joints and barn dances. After a stint in the U.S. Army Elmore returned to the States and continued to work as a professional musician. He had his first hit with his rendition of Robert Johnson’s “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom”. After the success of “Dust My Broom” Elmore moved to Chicago and started to record for a number of different labels. He would continue to record and perform until his death in 1963. Many guitarists were inspired to try their hand at playing slide guitar after hearing Elmore’s playing on songs like “One Way Out”, “The Sky Is Crying”, “Madison Blues”, and “Done Somebody Wrong”. Guitar royalty such has Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Duane Allman, and Bonnie Raitt all have cited Elmore James as a major influence. If Elmore were alive today he would have been celebrating his 93rd birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. James. Thank you for the great music!
Although the great Willie Dixon is usually referred to as “The Poet of the Blues” another true force in Blues songwriting was a man by the name of J.B. Lenior. J.B. Lenior is one of the blues worlds most interesting but lesser know characters. Many of his songs were influenced by what was going on in the world around him. His first cut for Chess Records in 1951 entitled “Korea Blues” talked about the subject of the Korean War and in 1954 he released the politically controversial song “Eisenhower Blues” which was released but quickly pulled off the shelves. Towards the end of his life J.B. cut two very politically charged acoustic albums entitled “Alabama Blues” and “Down In Mississippi”. During these sessions J.B. recorded many songs about his life as well as the hardships of African Americans growing up in the Southern United States. His song “Vietnam Blues” is a slow blues (which almost sounds like a prayer) that talks about his friends bravely fighting in the Vietnam War. He also suggests to the President of the United States to take care of some of the problems locally before sending more people to fight overseas. Although J.B. liked to write and sing songs about social issues he is best know for his song “Mama Talk To Your Daughter” which was released in 1954. It is an understatement to say that J.B. Lenoir was very talented songwriter. He was a true poet of the blues world who took blues songwriting to another level.
On October 18, 2010 Chuck Berry celebrated his 84 birthday!!! Even though Chuck Berry’s influence can be heard in almost every style of music he has surprisingly only had one number one hit in his career! That song was the controversial 1972 single “My Ding-A-Ling”! Chuck Berry still performs live nationally and internationally and has gigs booked into 2011. As for the rest of 2010 Chuck can be found playing in and around St. Louis, Missouri and December 31 at B.B. King’s blues club in NYC. If you are in the New York area for New Year’s Eve I suggest you make plans to see this living legend of American History. Happy Birthday Chuck!
On October 10, 2010 we lost the greatest soul singer of all time, Mr. Solomon Burke. Sadly, Mr. Burke never got as much press as other soul legends like James Brown or Marvin Gaye even though he was just as much of a pioneer in soul music as they were. Solomon Burke was a true talent who could command the attention of any audience. Even in the later part of his career when he became confined to sitting down while he was performing he still could deliver a high intensity live show. I was lucky enough to get to see Mr. Burke in Oakland in November of 2009 and even though he was only allowed to play for a little over an hour, it was one of the best performances I have seen in my life. Solomon was loved by musicians in every genre of music. Everyone from The Rolling Stones to Emmylou Harris to The Blues Brothers were inspired by Solomon’s music. I hope that in the coming years his music and impact on popular music get they recognition they deserve. Today is a sad day for me. However, I am comforted by the fact that even though Mr. Burke is gone his message of love and kindness will live on through the recordings he has left with us. Thank you Mr Burke for sharing your talent and music with us.
