Howlin Wolf - Smokestack Lightning

Chester Arthur Burnett (1910-1976) aka Howlin Wolf, was an American blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player. He was born in White Station, MS near West Point and bounced around living with different family members until age 13 when he joined his father's large family. Nicknames other than Howlin Wolf were Big Foot Chester and Bull Crow both based on his massive size. Unlike many other blues musicians, after he left his impoverished childhood to begin a music career, he was always financially successful. The Wolf was so financially successful that he was not only able to offer his band members a good salary but also health insurance. All of this helped him have his pick of band members, keeping his band one of the best around. He was never extravagant with his money either. It was in 1970 that he was involved in an automobile accident that severely damaged his kidneys. He passed away from complications of kidney disease at the VA Hospital in Hines, IL in 1976. His gravestone was allegedly purchased by Eric Clapton and has engravings of a guitar and a harmonica. This is him performing one of his classic originals, "Smoketack Lightning."

www.howlinwolf.com

Smelly Dog

James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing

James Joseph Brown (1933-2006) was an American singer and songwriter. He was born in Augusta, GA and raised by Mattie Brown. James' birth certificate had his first and middle name reversed and he also changed his last name from Gardner to Brown. The change of his last name came from the lady that raised him. If that wasn't enough Brown had a Jr. removed from his name as well, and this is how the ever colorful and most times outlandish James Brown came to be. Brown has had many legal troubles, including some marital issues and spending time in prison. Through all of this, Brown kept an arduous and busy schedule, maintaining that he was, in fact, the hardest working man in show business. James passed away early Christmas morning 2006 from congestive heart failure due to complications from pneunmonia. He is buried at a temporary site at his daughter's (Deanna Thomas Brown) home until a public mausoleum is built for him. He truly was the definiton of a "frontman" and could cut the rug with viscious style. His backing band The JB's/J.B.s, were a fantastic ensemble as well, I would recommend listening to some of their stuff. Now gettup offa that thing and do a lil James Brown..you'll feel better!

http://www.newfunkradio.com/

Smelly Dog

*Posts will continue during the weekends for the entire month of February

Louis Armstrong - Mack the Knife

Louis Daniel Armstrong (1901-1971), nicknamed "Satchmo" or "Pops" was an American jazz trumpeter and singer. He was born and raised in New Orleans, LA by a very poor family. Armstrong was a colorful person, embellishing many early childhood stories. This embellishment is found with his nicknames as no one really knows how they came about. Also, he was stated as saying that his birthday was July 4th, 1900, when in fact he was born in 1901. Louis was known to purge throughout his life using such laxatives as Pluto Water and Swiss Kriss. He was very concerned about his health and bodily functions; so much, that he advocated the use of these products to friends. This could have definitely been in correlation with his love of food. Armstrong died shortly after a heart attack in 1971, and is buried in Queens, NY. This song is "Mack the Knife" that was originally composed by Kurt Weill in 1928.

Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross-over," whose skin-color was secondary to his amazing talent in an America that was severely racially divided. It allowed him socially-acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a person of color.

www.redhotjazz.com/louie.html

Red Beans and Ricely Yours,
Smelly Dog

Willie Dixon - Bassology

William James "Willie" Dixon (1915-1992) was an American bluesman, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and record producer. He was born in Vicksburg, MS and raised by his mother Daisy. Dixon was first introduced to the blues as a teenager while serving time on different prison farms throughout Mississippi. After traveling to Chicago in 1936, Dixon became a boxer, and managed to win the Illinois State Golden Glove Heavyweight Championship in 1937. He soon quit after the win, getting into an argument with his manager over being cheated out of money. He signed with the Chess label around 1948, but in 1951 was a full time employee with them as a talent scout, producer, session musician, and staff songwriter. Dixon is responsible for a handful of blues songs including "Little Red Rooster", "Hoochie Coochie Man", "Spoonful", "Back Door Man", "Wang Dang Doodle", and "I Just Want to Make Love to You." Willie died of heart failure in Burbank, CA in 1992. He was inducted posthumously in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. This is him and Sunnyland Slim on piano playing "Bassology."

http://www.willie-dixon.com/

Smelly Dog

Muddy Waters - Got My Mojo Workin'

McKinley Morganfield aka Muddy Waters (1913-1983), was an American blues musician, often considered the Father of Modern Chicago Blues. He was born in Issaquena County, MS and raised by his Grandmother Della Grant. His birthplace and birth year are often disputed among historians. Muddy himself stated that he was born in Rolling Fork, MS in 1915. His mother died 3 years after his birth. He started playing the harmonica as a child and picked up the guitar around age seventeen. He is known best for his thick and heavy voice that fit perfectly with his firm personality. He picked up the nickname "Muddy" at an early age due to his fondness for playing in the mud. He had great success throughout his career, but was put on the backshelf by the Chess label for the better part of 20 years. He returned to the studio and recorded a London Sessions in 1972 with Rory Gallagher (Taste), Steve Winwood (Blind Faith/Traffic), Rick Grech (Blind Faith/Traffic/Gram Parsons), and Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience/The Who), but their playing wasn't up to his standards. He also helped Chuck Berry get a recording contract. This blues legend died in his sleep at his home in Westmont, IL in 1983. This tune is "Got My Mojo Working" written by Preston Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole in 1956.

http://www.muddywaters.com/

Smelly Dog

*The results are in from the January poll "Most Memorable Death of 2010" and the results were less than statistical. Mark Linkous who received no votes was from the band Sparklehorse. He sadly took his own life by shooting himself in the heart at age 47.