Kokomo Arnold’s recording career lasted less than a decade, but he changed the world by influencing the likes of Robert Johnson and Elmore James.
Tag: Elmore James
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Give your money to Mary Lane
Chicago blueswoman Mary Lane has been making music for more than 70 years. She should be a legend, but she can barely pay her bills.
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Bobby Rush fires up the acoustic Delta blues on Rawer Than Raw
This is a huge oversimplification, but there are generally two kinds of blues crowds: the Black audience that gravitates toward soul singers, and the white audience that loves instrumental virtuosity. In their time, B.B. King and Albert King were two of the few blues artists to enjoy equal adoration from both crowds, and today Bobby […]
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Bluesman Frank ‘Little Sonny’ Scott Jr. gave his all to Maxwell Street for half a century
The Supreme Mayor of Maxwell Street left a scant recorded legacy, but he’s well remembered for his efforts to preserve the historic market and open-air blues hub.
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Slide guitarist John Littlejohn brought Mississippi country blues to Chicago
John Littlejohn’s raw slide-guitar style grew from the same soil that produced Elmore James, but he never became a star outside the Windy City.
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Blues bassist Calvin ‘Fuzz’ Jones made Muddy Waters sound his best
Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, who spent most of his five-decade career in Chicago, was one of the most prominent sidemen in electric blues.
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Blueswoman Mary Lane is still looking for the respect she deserves at age 82
No-nonsense west-side veteran Mary Lane, who’s shared stages with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy, is raising money to finish her long-awaited second album.
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Johnnie Temple bridged country blues and urban swing in the 1930s
Bluesman Johnnie Temple cut dozens of sides for Decca, including several with famous Chicago jazz band the Harlem Hamfats.
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John Primer sustains the living heritage of the blues
Chicago guitarist John Primer honors his mentors—including Muddy Waters and Magic Slim—by serving as a role model for young musicians.
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Muddy Waters sideman Luther ‘Snake Boy’ Johnson had his career cut short by brain cancer
Blues guitarist Luther Johnson made his solo debut on Checker in 1964 but died at 41 in 1976.
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Not even a gorilla mask could bring blues pianist Johnny ‘Big Moose’ Walker out of the sideman shadows
Big Moose worked for years with Earl Hooker and Elmore James and backed Otis Rush, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, and many more, but his own recordings never caught fire.
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Emmett “Maestro” Sanders
Emmett “Maestro” Sanders was a huge figure in Peoria blues, but died unheralded this spring—in part because he only ever released one single.