Displaying items by tag: Blues

It seems that if you are influenced by the Beatles, and live in the area of Woolton in Liverpool. Your influences are likely to be worn on your sleeve. Rob Clarke, the main man behind this band does not shy away from his influences and embraces them

Live footage of MC from Friars Club, Aylesbury, Nov 1972, French TV Feb 1972, Beat Club, Bremen, Germany March 1972. 

Fred King was born in Gilmer, Texas in 1934 to Ella Mae King and J. T. Christian. Influenced by his mother and uncle, both proficient guitar players, Fred learned to play rural country blues when he was six. His early influences were Sam Lightnin Hopkins and jump blues saxophonist, Louis Jordan.

Memphis is the capital of the Mississippi Delta and during the great migration, workers poured into the city seeking work. The workforce brought their musical heritage and music was a byword in Memphis. By 1860, Beale Street had become the Mecca for black musicians and eventually the entertainment centre of the city.

I am a fan of hats, I probably have too many, after all, I only have one head. But for me, a good chapeau can make a person stand out in a crowd. It can elevate their style, and can help a person exude a confidence that is admirable. Now, I am talking about real style. Not just a functional thing to put on one’s head to protect yourself from whatever a person feels their noggin needs protection from.

Blues shouters were blues singers, usually men, capable of singing unamplified with a band. Their voice projected fervour and energy and got audiences to their feet, driven by the power of the music.

Janis Lyn Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1943. She had two younger siblings, Michael and Laura Growing up her parents felt Janis needed more attention than their other children and at school, she was never part of the crowd and proved to be a misfit.

Paul ‘Koss’ Kossoff was born in London in 1950 and the son of famous British character, actor, David Kossoff (Kid for Two Farthings). He learned to play classical music but was always interested in blues and soon mastered the guitar.

John Henry Hammond II (Born Manhattan, New York City, December 15, 1910 - Died Manhattan, New York City, July 10, 1987) was an American talent scout and producer, whose achievements in the record business will never be surpassed. As well as producing several significant American musical icons, he was a civil rights activist, a music critic, a philanthropist, and had a career that spanned six decades. His name is synonymous with Columbia Records (now Sony Records), and with artists from Billie Holliday to Stevie Ray Vaughan.