He was the greatest blues drummer ever, one heck of a harp player, and a darn good teacher! I am very greatful for the time I was able to spend with him. He will be greatly missed. ----------
I just saw him up close and personal at the Kitchener Blues Fest in August of this year. He played harp in a duo with Bob Margolin on guitar, playing some Muddy tunes in a small "workshop" venue. I had a nice chat with him after and bought his last CD "Joined at the Hip" done with Pinetop Perkins. A very good album. RIP, Willie.
I'll post some video from that gig on Youtube. ----------
Last Edited by on Sep 16, 2011 1:55 PM
Willie was a super nice guy. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with him. I met him at one of Mark Hummel's Harp Blowouts. I was present the evening they recorded the Blues Harp Meltdown #3. Willie's set really stood out.
His harp style was a real throwback to his time blowing the harp in the 1950's. He was a really nice guy and a really good hang. He will be missed.
@ so&so - I missed him at KBF - there were so many good acts to try to catch. Luck enough to see him a few years ago up at Blue Mountain. Sure glad I got to see Honeyboy Edwards last year.
Willie was a class act. RIP, Willie ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
I am saddened by this. A number of years ago I had the shear luck of sitting down with Willie and pinetop. It was simply luck and while the conversation was short they were both gracious and inspiring. I will continue to play my blues in honor of Willie and those gone before. Thanks Willie and keep the beat! ---------- "Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
It's only been in the past 10 years that he was back into playing harp again and I have so many memories of him with Muddy having him on drums. That man grooved big time!!! What an awesome guy!! ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith was born in Helena, AR in 1936. At the age of 17 he ventured to Chicago where he heard Muddy Waters for the first time. Willie was hooked on the blues and the attraction to the music persuaded him to stay in Chicago.
In 1954 Willie, playing harmonica, formed a trio with drummer Clifton James. The trio built a following in Chicago and gigged around the area for a few years. During this same time, Willie played harp with several other artists including Bo Diddley, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires and Johnny Shines. In 1957 Willie joined Little Hudson's Red Devil Trio and switched to playing drums.
After gigs or between sets, Willie started sitting in on drums with Muddy Waters' band. Muddy liked what he heard, and invited Willie to play drums on a 1959 recording session. Willie began to fill in for Muddy's drummer Francis Clay, and continued to play recording sessions with Muddy. In 1961, Willie replaced Clay in Muddy's band and played with Muddy till mid-1964. During this period, as he solidified his Chicago sound, Willie recorded with James Cotton, Jo Jo Williams and Muddy Waters on a tribute to blues vocalist Big Bill Broonzy.
The '60s were lean times for the blues and for a few years (mid-'64-'68) Willie packed up his drum kit and found himself doing odd jobs including working in a restaurant and driving a cab around Chicago. One night in 1968 Willie decided to go out and listen to Muddy. Rediscovering his desire to play, he asked to sit in with the band. The next day Muddy asked Willie to rejoin his band. Willie played in Muddy's band till 1980 and appears on all of Muddy's Grammy-winning albums.
After performing with Muddy Waters, Smith established his own niche within the tradition of the Delta Blues Sound by co-founding the Legendary Blues Band with Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones, and Jerry Portnoy. The group was nominated for several Grammy Awards, recorded four critically acclaimed albums on the Ichiban label, backed up Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf and Junior Wells, toured with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. They played behind Muddy for the soundtrack of the movie The Last Waltz and appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers where they played street musicians backing John Lee Hooker.
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith traditional shuffle style has been regarded as the heart and soul of the Chicago blues sound, with Willie laying the beat behind many of the blues classics. But as of late, fans were just as likely to find Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith holding on to a harmonica, his first instrument, as a drum stick. Turns out, this award-winning blues drummer is also an accomplished harmonica master and dynamic vocalist.
Here's some pictures I took of his setup if anyone is interested:
The pedal is an Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail reverb pedal. The mic is a Sonny Jr, which is basically a custom painted Turner shell with a 1950's controlled reluctance element. ----------
Thank you Matzen,I tried a bunch of Sonny Jr mics a couple of years ago. Gary was out in California to demo the Avenger and brought a half dozen of these mics as well. I already had a Ron Sunshine/Chuck Gurney Shure GB, so I passed on buying anything. I should ask Gary if this was same red mic that he had at the demo, he had one that was in my opinion superior to the others that fits your description.
Sadly enough, our first Blues Fest here in Amelia Island, he was supposed to be one of the headliners Friday, sadly he passed away that morning. His son and his band went on to play, they said it is what Willie would have wanted. He was the only harp player scheduled to play. Man I wanted to see him live. R.I.P. Willie..
Not to mention Pinetop was originally scheduled to play the fest. Two greats , I was really looking forward to seeing live, they will be missed. ---------- ***************************** Rick..
Last Edited by on Sep 18, 2011 5:22 PM
