Photo Of The Week: Chicago Rick Lussie And Jimmy Pryor

This weeks photo is of two of my heroes Chicago Rick Lussie, and Jimmy The Midnite Cowboy Pryor. These two guys were the only ones playing real blues music in Des Moines in the 1970s. While other bands were playing soul, funk, and disco, Rick and Jimmy were still playing the blues. Granted they didn't play a whole lot since there weren't a lot of gigs, but they keep the blues alive. Both Rick and Jimmy used to tell me stories about playing Vickie's Poor House where the current Blues On Grand is located. Vickie was quite the charactor, and used to give free drinks to guys who had just got out of jail! Needless to say it was a wild place. This photo was taken many years later at the opening of The Grand. The Grand was the second attempt at a blues bar at that location. The First was The Grand Avenue Lounge.