UPDATE
Willie "Big Eyes' Smith services announced. This just in from the Smith family about Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's services:
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Visitation 10 AM to 10 PM
Leaks & Sons Funeral Home
7838 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60619 Ph:773-846-6567
Monday, Sept 26, 2011
Wake 10am until 11am
Funeral services 11am until noon
South Park Baptist Church
3720 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60653 Ph. 773) 548-6566
RIP Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - January 19, 1936 to Sept 16th, 2011. It is with great sadness that we report the unexpected passing of one the true greats of the blues. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Willie passed away this morning of a stroke. He was 75 and was musically active until the very end. A brilliant drummer, harmonica player and vocalist, he represented the true essence of Chicago Blues, and was highly regarded by all as an undisputed master. He was an alumni of the Muddy Waters band and wore those stripes with honor. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1936, and started playing harmonica at
age 17, shortly after moving to Chicago. His harmonica first appeared on
record in the 1950s gracing recordings by Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and Bo Diddley (Willie played the harmonica on the Diddley classic "Diddy Wah Diddy"). At some point in the mid to late 1950s he started playing drums and in 1959 began his long association with Muddy Waters. Smith's drumming first appeared on record on Muddy Waters' 1960 album release of Sings Big Bill Broonzy. Smith had a real gift for drumming and his playing would help to define the later Muddy Waters Band sound. Many of us remember the classic Muddy Waters lineup of Muddy, Willie, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones. In June of 1980 members of Muddy's band struck out on there own, and formed the Legendary Blues Band which eventually found Willie as the lead vocalist, showcasing his stellar, down-home vocals. Willie released his first solo album, Bag Full of Blues in 1995, which
firmly established him as an artist in his own right. Willie would
revive his first instrument in later years, and in 1996 he would release
Way Back, which debuted his new direction, and showed him to be a solid harmonicist. His final recording, Joined At The Hip was a collaboration with the now deceased Pinetop Perkins, and it it earned the two a Grammy in the Traditional Blues category. We have just touched upon a few of the many recordings of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith who's discography as both a frontman, and a sideman represents the highest of heights in the blues. Willie had a strong work ethic and was a consummate professional, and as a result he worked relentlessly. He won numerous BMAs (Blues Music Awards) as "Best Blues Drummer", and he always carried great bands with him. Of note is the wonderful management of Patricia Morgan, who helped guide the later part of Willie's amazing career, and the impressive booking of Blue Mountain Artists. Also thanks to Willie for bringing out the wonderful talent in his band with Jimmy Mayes, Bob Stroger, "Little" Frank Krakowski, and for his wonderful collaborations with other Muddy alums. Willie leaves his greatest legacy with his son Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, who has become one of the world's greatest blues drummers and carries on his father's sound
and tradition. Prayers for all of Willie's family, friends, fellow
musicians, and fans as we say goodbye to one of the greatest
blessings of the blues. We love you "Big Eyes". To visit Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's website click http://www.williebigeyessmith.com/. Funeral information to follow.
From Bob Kieser
Dear Blues Fans, We are sad to report the passing of a true Blues legend,
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith this morning in Chicago. Blues Blast
Magazine had the honor of recently interviewing Willie for one of
our cover stories for the May 26th issue. That issues can be read at: http://thebluesblast.com/Archive/BluesBlasts/2011/BluesBlast5_26_11.htm
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