RIP Johnnie Bassett - Oct 9, 1935 to Aug 4, 2012 Detroit blues guitarist and vocalist extraordinaire Johnnie Bassett, died from complications of liver cancer on Saturday, August 4 at Saint John Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He was 76 years old. Born in Marianna, Florida, Johnnie and his family moved to Detroit in 1944. He did his first recordings as a member of Joe Weaver's band who also recorded behind Nolan Strong & The Diablos, and Andre Williams for Fortune Records. He also played and recorded with the Miracles on their 1958 recording of "Got A Job." Johnny seemed to emerge as an artist in his own right late in his career, with his great mid '90s recording work including Cannonball Records various artist collection Blues Across America; The Detroit Scene and his first CD I Gave My Life To The Blues on the Dutch Black Magic label. He made further recordings for Cannonball before switching to Mack Avenue Records and found many awards and nominations for his work. He also backed up Alberta Adams on her recordings for Cannonball Records. He will always be remembered as one of the the greatest blues musicians of the Detroit scene. To see a great video of Johnnie on TV singing "A Woman's Got Ways," click here, and a live performance of "Bassett Hound Blues," click here.
