Earl Gaines RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP Earl Gaines August 19, 1935 Dec 31, 2009. The blues world mourns the loss of R&B vocalist Earl Gaines who died on New Year's Eve at a Nashville hospital. He was 74. Gaines was a magnificent vocalist who was closely associated with the Nashville R&B scene. He first came into prominence as the lead vocalist of Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers with the hit "It's Love Baby" (AKA "24 Hours A Day"). He would later emerge as a solo artist with a number of hits including “The Best of Luck to You” in 1966 and “Hymn Number 5” in 1973. He recorded for numerous record labels including Starday, King, DeLuxe, Excello, Champion, Poncello, Hanna-Barbera, HBR, Athens, Sound Stage 7, Ace, Meltone, Appaloosa, Black Top, Ecko and Blue Fye. He was a featured artist on the 2005 Grammy-winning best historical album, Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945–1970. His loss comes on the heels of other recently deceased Nashville R&B greats such as Johnny Jones, and To read the story of his passing in the Tennessean click here

In Rememberence 2009

Many great blues, jazz, and important people who helped kept the blues alive have left us. In Iowa we mourned the death of Bob Cook, a legendary solo performer who opened a ton of doors for musicians of all types. Also Larry Fountain, Jimmy Pryor's right hand man joined Jimmy in the great beyond.

To read all of the obits follow this link here. You can also click on the obit 2009 tag at the bottom of the post.

Here is the list of those who have left us way to soon, but will not be forgotten.

Sam Taylor
David Fathead Newman
Leroy Cooper
Billy Powell
Hank Crawford
Al Harris
Snooks Eaglin
Piney Brown
Mark Sallings
John Cephas
Willie King
Bob Cook
Mel Brown
Eddie Bo
Lester Davenport
Ted Jarrett
Koko Taylor
Sam Butera
Nick Holt
Micheal Jackson
Welsley Junebug Jefferson
Billy Lee Riley
Betty Miller
Jim Dickinson
Marie Knight
Jessie Fortune
Sam Carr
Alex Easy Baby Randle
Abu Talib "Freddie Robinson"
Johnny Jones
Dennis Brooks
Larry Fountain
Norton Bufflo
Sarah Moore
Big John Evans
Alvin Short
Mac Walton AKA Daddy B Strong

Mac Walton (MacDaddy) RIP

I can't remember if I found MacDaddy, or he found me. I just remember the first time I saw his website, and we had the same blogger template, that we must be kindred spirits. MacDaddy loved the blues and jazz, and without a doubt he wrote some of the most powerful essays on the music. Far better than anything I could do. He would send me links to some of his best stories and I would post them to my blog.

I guess I like most of his readers was shocked to learn that he had been so sick. I certainly didn't think that the last email I would get from him would come on December 7th. It was one of his last posts.

FYI: Thought you might like this.

NINA SIMONE: "I LOVE YOU, PORGY"

Listen up: A friend emailed a brotha saying Luther Vanddross's song to his father was his favorite and asked "Who is your favorite?" I told him mine was Nina Simone's rendition of " I love you, Porgy."

Here are the words to the song:

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me,
Don' let him handle me an' drive me mad.
If you kin keep me,
I wants to stay here wid you forever,
An' I'd be glad.

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me
Don' let him handle me
With his hot han'
If you kin keep me
I wants to stay here wid you forever.
I got my man.

What's your favorite song?

Mac Walton
blog address: http://daddybstrong.blogspot.com/
e-mail: culturaldynamics@msn.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

I wish I had posted it then.


I will miss Mac, it is sad to see another blues traveler leave, but since you are up there make sure to say hi to my old friend Jimmy.

God bless you.


Tom

Alvin Short RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP Alvin Short, 12/15/50 - 11/15/09. This email just in from Johnny Drummer; "Sorry to inform you and fans of the passing of Alvin Short, also known as Al Guitar, lead guitar player for the last eight years in my band; Johnny Drummer & The Starlighters. Al played with many greats such as Howlin Wolf, Earl Hooker, Otis Rush, and Bobby Rush. Al also played on my last Earwig CD, Rockin' In The Juke Joint. Alvin passed away at 11:30 am, Sunday , November 15th. He had a massive stroke in June and he never came out of a coma." Alvin Short was 58. Johnny also reports that Alvin was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. No other biographical information is available currently.

Big John Evans RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Big John Evans, deceased 11/9/2009 Sacramento master blues drummer Big John Evans passed away on Monday, November 9, 2009. Big John had suffered from a stoke in September of this year. Best known for his many years of work with Johnny Heartsman, Evans also worked with Little Junior Parker and recorded with Heartsman, Tiny Powell, and Charlie Musselwhite. Big John was recognized with a West Coast Blues Hall Of Fame induction in 2007. Sadly, no biographical information is available at this time.

UPDATE

Just got this from a friend of Big John Evans, and thought I would pass it along.

Dear Blues Man,

I am a long time friend of John's and just found out he has passed
away.  I have not been able to find an obituary, death notice, who what
when where or why of his death but am still looking.  I know he had been
struggling with his health for the last few years.  Being homeless and
living out of his care didn't help the situation.

John and I have had long talks about his life so maybe I can fill in
some gaps for you.

He quit school when he was in the 7th grade.  Everyday he would go to
the pool hall to listen to bands practice.  That's how he learned to
play the drums.  The musicians would put him on their laps and teach
him.  His first teacher was Charlie Musselwaite.

Over the years John has played with all the great's.  He was invited to
the BB King Blues festival in Banff Canada.  He was tickled pink and I
still have the keychain he brought back for me.  He played with Johnny
Heartsman on his "Touch" CD.  Tiny Powell, Little Junior Parker, the
list goes on and on.  In 2007 he was inducted into the West Coast Blues
Hall of Fame.   That was a wonderful night for John.  He saw people he
hadn't seen in years and he spoke with them all.  He even found his
first girlfriend!  (You could have knocked him over with a feather when
he saw her.  But he immediately asked me to take pictures.)

He formed his band, " Big John and the Chosen Few" in Sacramento, CA. 
He played from the valley to the mountains and loved every minute of
it.  In 2001 he walked into my bar and asked if I needed a band for the
weekend.  I told him I'd give him a try.  That was the beginning of a
great friendship.  He became the house band.  Everyone loved to come and
hear John play.

John was always generous with his time.  All you had to say was the word
"benefit" and John would be there.

He has an extensive family with many sons but mostly daughters around
the Sacramento Valley.   Only in the last 10 years did he find his
daughters and start getting to know them and his grandchildren.  This
was a source of great joy for John.

I knew something was wrong when I didn't hear from him at Thanksgiving. 
I tried calling him but his phone number had been assigned to someone
else.  So I sent him a letter.  Come Christmas and I still didn't hear
from him I knew something was wrong and started hunting for him.  I
finally found a small line on a search under his name last night. 
Something inside me already knew he was with our Father.

John is my friend but more than that he is my brother.  I love him
dearly.  He always had my back and I his.  He has touched lives around
the world with his music, his humanity and kindness and I miss him.  May
his soul find peace.

Pattie Harris

 

Sarah Moore RIP

From Bob Corritore

November 17, 2009

• RIP Sarah Moore 9/20/1935 - 10/30/2009. This information comes via Roger Stolle. Sarah Moore, best known as the proprietor of the popular restaurant and music venue Sarah's Kitchen in Clarksdale, died on Oct 30th as a result of a car accident. She was 74. The list of blues musicians that graced Miss Sarah's stage through the years includes Robert "Bilbo" Walker, T-Model Ford, Lightnin' Malcolm, The Deep Cuts, Super Chikan, Louisiana Red, various Burnsides/Kimbroughs, Sam Carr, Dave Riley, Mississippi Marvel, Terry "Big T" Williams, Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson, David Lee Durham, Pat Thomas, KM Williams, Rev Peyton's Big Damn Band, "Mr. Johnnie" Billington, Big Pete Pearson, etc etc. Miss Sarah was as well-known for her delicious soul food plate lunches as she was her festival weekend blues blowouts. The Delta Blues Education Fund also held regular blues classes for local kids at Sarah's Kitchen for several years. She will truly be missed as both a beautiful person and an integral part of the blues community in Clarksdale.

Norton Buffalo RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP Norton Buffalo 9/28/51 - 10/31/09. Harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo passed away on Oct 31st, 2009 after a battle with cancer. Best known outside of blues circles for his work with rock luminaries such as Steve Miller and Bonnie Raitt, Buffalo also worked within the blues field with Elvin Bishop and Roy Rogers. He was a spectacular player who created a very unique style which often did not follow the traditional blues harmonica sound. This might be exemplified by Buffalo's wild solo on Bonnie Raitt's hit remake of Del Shannon's "Runaway". For a complete Norton Buffalo obit by Ben "The Harpman" Cox in Juke Joint Soul click here.

Larrry Fountain RIP

Larry Fountain was not your typical bluesman. He didn't play an instrument, or sing, but he lived and loved the blues. To the rest of world that reads this blog, you won't find Larry's biography on the internet, and unfortunately I never posted about Larry on Blues Historian until today.

I first met Larry sometime in the mid to late 90s when Jimmy Pryor was jamming around the various blues dives in town. Larry was Jimmy's right hand man. After Jimmy's second wife died, Larry was the one that kept him going. Larry would drive him to gigs, and watch out for him. He was Jimmy's Bodyguard, and friend. They might start the night at the Cloud, and then end the night at an after hour joint. Once Jimmy starting playing for bands again, Larry was still there watching out for his old friend. Still making sure he was getting where he needed to be. Later when Jimmy got married again, Larry could be found volunteering his time for the Central Iowa Blues Society, or hanging out at Blues On Grand. Larry was an kind and caring soul, and truly lived the life of a bluesman.

I am sorry old friend, that I didn't make it down to Des Moines much to talk to you and hang out with you after I moved to Storm lake. I truly miss your gentle humor, and your love for your fellow bluesman. I know you are looking out for Jimmy once again up there in the big blues arena in the sky. God bless you Larry, and say hi to Jimmy for me.

Tom Gary
Blues Historian

For those readers in Des Moines that know Larry here is the memorial schedule.

Larry Fountain visitation will be Saturday, Oct 31 from 10-11 am with a funeral service following at 11 am at the East University Church of God Christ. It is at 1639 E University.

Dennis Brooks RIP

From Bob Corritore

October 21, 2009

• RIP Dennis Brooks 3/28/50 - 10/20/09 Dennis Brooks is best known as the founder and former president of Memphis' Beale Street Blues Society. He passed away on Tuesday, October 20th of a sudden heart attack. He was 59. Dennis was known by all as a tireless friend and supporter of the blues. He saw that blues artists would always have an airport pickup or a place to stay. Born and raised in Memphis, Dennis embraced his hometown music. He helped along and booked many artists including Blind Mississippi Morris, Richard Johnston, Super Chikan, Slick Ballinger and Jessie Mae Hemphill. He did extensive volunteer work for the Blues Foundation, Memphis in May and Blues Ball, produced the first Jug Band festival in Memphis, and he was a contributor to this newsletter. Dennis was also very involved in Memphis' Jewish community. Just minutes before his heart attack he was enjoying a deep discussion on the blues with his friend Heidi Knochenhauer. Rest in peace Dennis, you served the blues well. Thanks to Charley Burch, Bruce Iglauer and Joe Whitmer for providing this information.

Johnny Jones RIP

From Bob Corritore

October 19, 2009

• RIP Johnny Jones 8/17/36-10/16/09 Nashville blues and soul singer/guitarist Johnny Jones passed away on Friday Oct 16th. He was 73. Born in Edes, Tennessee and raised in a gospel oriented family, Jones became influenced by the blues of Memphis and Chicago and picked up guitar along the way. He moved to Chicago in the 1950s and worked gigs with Junior Wells and Freddie King. He moved to Nashville in the 60s and worked as a session guitarist and cut a few singles under his own name. He appeared on the Beat TV show as a second guitarist in Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's Band. In later years Jones owned and operated a Soul Food restaurant but was rediscoved through the efforts of Fred James and European festival bookers. This led to festival appearances, a new European interest in this seasoned veteran, and some CDs. A wonderful guitarist with a warm and passionate voice, Johnny Jones will be remembered as a great blues artist to those lucky enough to have known him. Please note that this artist should not be confused with the blues artist of same name, who was famous for his piano work with Elmore James. For the complete story click here

Abu Talib "Freddie Robinson" RIP

From Bob Corritorie

October 13, 2009

• RIP Freddie Robinson 2/24/39 - 10/8/09 Guitarist/vocalist Freddie Robinson, who would later become known as Abu Talib, passed away at a hospital in Lancaster, California on Thursday, Oct 8th at age 70 after a battle with cancer. A spectacular guitarist with leanings in both blues and jazz, he was highly respected among his peers. Born in Memphis on February 24th, 1939, and raised in various towns in Arkansas, Robinson would move to Chicago in 1956. His first recorded work was later that year backing Birmingham Jr. (AKA Birmingham Jones) on the Ebony single "Birmingham 's Late Hours" b/w "Your Too Bad". He then did some great session work for the Chess label, backing Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, and Howlin' Wolf on a number of classic sides. He first recorded as a leader during the 1960s for the Queen, Raries, Limelight and One-derful record labels. During the late 1960's he settled in California where he joined Ray Charles band for a period before re-emerging as a band leader. He went on to cut many spectacular albums, most notably At The Drive-In with the song "Bluesology" which is a spoken story with musical examples of the memorable times at Theresa's basement blues bar in Chicago's south side. Robinson’s discography includes records with Harold Burrage, Bobby Bland, Louis Myers, Big Leon Brooks, Lee Shot Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy McCracklin, Monk Higgins, John Mayall, Shakey Jake, Gary Sloan, and Mitch Kashmar. In 1975 he embraced the Islam religion and a few years later changed his name to Abu Talib, though he sometimes used his established moniker when recording. Freddie Robinson was simply a cool guy; always perfectly dressed in the most soulful of clothes, always articulate in his speech, and always brilliant in his playing. To see a detailed Freddie Robinson discography (with some omissions) click here. Thanks for all the great music Freddie. We will remember you always.

Alex "Easy Baby" Randle RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP Alex "Easy Baby" Randle 8/3/1934 - 9/25/2009 : This sad news from Chicago area bassist and record producer Karl Meyer about the passing of Chicago blues harmonica great Easy Baby: Alex Randle, known to the world as "Easy Baby", passed away Friday, September 25, 2009 after suffering from pneumonia. He was 75 years old. Alex "Easy Baby" Randle was born 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee. For the first seven years of his life, he lived in Michigan City, Mississippi, with his grandmother and uncle, before moving back to Memphis to attend school. His grandmother and uncle were harmonica players; so, it was natural for Easy Baby to pick up the harmonica. In the early 1950's, when Easy Baby was still a teenager, he began playing professionally around Memphis while working a variety of odd jobs, including installing floors and shining shoes. While playing in the juke joints and gambling houses in Memphis, he befriended Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton, and Joe Hill Louis, among others. In 1956, Easy Baby moved to Chicago. Throughout the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's Easy Baby sang and played all over Chicago, while working as a mechanic. He worked a long stint at the Rat Trap Inn in Chicago during the 1970s and made appearances at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Easy Baby released 2 records under his own name: Sweet Home Chicago Blues on the Barrelhouse label and If It Aint One Thing It's Another on the Wolf record label. Additionally he had cuts on 3 harmonica anthologies: Bring Me Another Half-A-Pint on Barrelhouse, Low Blows on Rooster, and Blues Harmonica Orgy on Random Chance. Unreleased sides exist recorded for Steve Wisner during the 1970s which will someday see the light of day. Easy Baby had a beautiful high register voice and a sparse harmonica style (specializing in Chromatic and third position). He was a kind and gentle man and was one of a dwindling number of the old school Chicago blues harmonica masters. Click here to see Karl Meyer's tribute page to Easy Baby.

Sam Carr RIP

From Bob Corritore

September 21, 2009

• RIP Sam Carr 4/17/1926-9/21/2009: This terrible news just in from Dave Riley: beloved Mississippi blues drummer and band leader Sam Carr has passed away. He was 83. Sam was born into legend as the son of guitarist/vocalist Robert Nighthawk. Sam is best known for his longtime association with Frank Frost & The Jelly Roll Kings. He was considered one of the greatest blues drummers of all time, and was annually nominated for a Blues Music Award (AKA Handy Award) in the drummer category. He had been struggling with health issues over the last few years, and recently lost his longtime wife Doris, which forced him to live in a nursing facility. For a complete Sam Carr bio by Scott Barretta, click here.

Jessie Fortune RIP

From Bob Corritore

August 31, 2009
RIP Jesse Fortune 2/28/1930-8/31/2009: Word just in from Susan Koester that blues vocalist Jesse Fortune passed away early this morning after collapsing onstage during his performance at the Playmate Lounge. He was 79. Jesse Fortune was a blues singer of the highest order. He was born in Macon, Mississippi in 1930, and grew up around Hattiesburg. He was greatly influenced by the vocals of B.B. King. In 1952, he relocated to Chicago, and became a highly respected singer on the windy city blues circuit. His first recording session was arranged and produced by Willie Dixon for the USA record label in 1963. The session featured Buddy Guy and Big Walter Horton as sidemen, and yielded 4 brilliant songs, including the Dixon-penned "Too Many Cooks”, for which Fortune is best known. “Too Many Cooks” would later be recorded by Robert Cray, and it has become a highly-covered number among blues bands. After a period of musical inactivity during the 70s and 80s where Jesse supported himself as a barber, his musical career was reactivated with a spectacular 1993 release, Fortune Tellin' Man, on the Delmark record label, featuring great backing from Dave Specter and his band. Jesse's recent appearances around Chicago showcased an artist of great ability. He left us doing what he loved, and we will always love him for the great blues he brought us.To read the Chicago Tribune obituary, click here

Marie Knight RIP

From Bob Corritore

August 31, 2009

RIP Gospel Legend Marie Knight 6/1/1925-8/30/2009: This sad news just in from M.C. Records; this is their announcement verbatim:
With heavy hearts, M.C. Records announces the death of gospel legend Marie Knight. She died in New York City on August 30, 2009 due to complications from pneumonia. Marie first came to prominence in 1946 when she met and started working with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Together they would be one of the most popular gospel artists of the 1940's, and make music history through a string of gospel hits including "Didn't It Rain", "Up Above My Head", and the gorgeous "Beams of Heaven". Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe would tour frequently together through the 1950's. In the 1960's, Marie had several R&B hits, but in 1970's Marie rededicated herself to gospel music and became a minister at the Gates of Prayer Church in New York City.

Marie Knight's recent comeback began in 2002 when producer and M.C. Records owner Mark Carpentieri invited Marie to record on Shout, Sister, Shout!: A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Mark recalls the phone call. "Gayle Wald, who was writing the liner notes for the project, asked me if I had contacted Marie Knight about participating in the project. I didn't know she was still alive! I called Marie, and she sounded so vibrant that I arranged studio time, and we’ve been working together ever since."

After the release of Shout, Sister, Shout!: A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe (MC-0050), tour work came in regularly for Marie Knight. In 2007, Mark Carpentieri put together Marie Knight's first full-length album in over 25 years, Let Us Get Together. The project was a tribute to Rev. Gary Davis, and was co-produced with Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Ollabelle, Levon Helm). The record was a critical success, with great reviews from The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and many more.

You can listen to a live recorded concert featuring Marie via The Woodsongs Radio Hour recorded in February 2008, and click on show number 470.

Here are some YouTube links to check out: video 1, video 2, and video 3.

Jim Dickinson RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Jim Dickinson 11/15/1941-8/15/2009: The esteemed Arkansas born, Memphis-based music producer, pianist, and singer Jim Dickinson died in his sleep in Memphis on Saturday of possible complications of a heart condition. He was 67. Dickinson produced sessions for Sun Records, did session piano work for soul and rock luminaries Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, made numerous records as a leader, and who was the father of Cody and Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. He was highly regarded not only in blues, but also in all music circles. For Jim Dickinson's obit in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, click here, and for his Wikipedia biography, click here.

Betty Miller RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Betty Miller 1/16/1934-7/30/2009: Bernie Pearl reports the death of West Coast blues promoter Betty Miller, a friend to all in the blues. This is what the Southern California Blues Society says on their website: We are sad to report the passing of Betty Miller, one of the country's biggest blues supporters. Betty died at her home August 6, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Betty Miller attended the very first meeting of the Southern California Blues Society in the early 80's and became one of its first officers. With Betty's guidance, the SCBS established several programs to advance American blues music. She was also instrumental in the formation of The Big Joe Turner Fund, a group dedicated to providing artist assistance. Betty and her husband Jack, as owners of The Music Machine nightclub, were among the first to bring legendary national blues acts to the West Side. Betty was, and always will be, remembered for her devotion to the blues genre and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Condolences may be sent to

Teri Duncanson

9468 Jack Rabbit Drive #105

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

To see a photo of Betty, click here. Sorry to say goodbye to this wonderful person.

Billy Lee Riley RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Billy Lee Riley 10/5/1933-8/2/2009: Though best known as the famed rockabilly artist who recorded for Sun Records, Billy Lee Riley always had his heart in the blues. He was a fine singer and harmonica player, and in addition to his rock 'n roll rave ups, had recorded albums of straight ahead Southern blues. His versions of "Flyin' Saucer Rock 'N Roll" and his rockabilly remake of Billy "The Kid" Emerson's "Red Hot" stand as classics in the genre. He passed away on August 2, 2009 of complications from colon cancer at age 75. He remained active musically, and the coolest of cats until the end; and he was a great mentor to all younger artists lucky enough to meet him. To read Billy Lee Riley's bio, click here; and to read the LA Times obituary, click here.

Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson 3/23/1944-7/22/2009: This sad news just in from Roger Stolle: Iconic Clarksdale blues singer/bassist/bandleader Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson passed away yesterday of complications stemming from lung cancer. Born in Roundaway in Coahoma County, Mississippi, Jefferson grew up working the cotton fields and first started playing blues at a young age, influenced by his guitar-playing grandfather, Claude Jefferson. He would go on to play with Frank Frost, Sam Carr, David "Pecan" Porter, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, Little Jeno Tucker, Super Chikan, Willie Foster, Big Jack Johnson, and many others before fronting his own band and working regularly throughout the south. His first recordings appeared in 1970 on the compilation Coahoma the Blues on the Rooster Blues record label. He would later release the self-produced Delta Blues Live from the Do Drop Inn, and most recently the 2007 collaboration with Terry "Big T" Williams, Meet Me In The Cottonfield on the Broke and Hungry record label. He also appeared with other Mississippi blues artists in 2008 documentary M for Mississippi, which won the 2009 Blues Music Award for "DVD Of The Year". A well-loved and highly influential figure in the Clarksdale blues community, Wesley will be greatly missed. For an in-depth bio on this great musician by Scott Barretta, click here.

Michael Jackson RIP

Today is one of those days that you will remember for the rest of your life. You will remember where you were, and what you were doing when Michael Jackson died. Much like Elvis, Lennon, or some of you older folks, JFK. This is one of those days that is burned into your memory banks. Michael Jackson for all his problems was still an outstanding artist. He was a man that had his childhood stolen, and spent most of his adult life trying to find it again. In many ways a tragic figure, but perhaps that inner demon that propelled his personal life also created some amazing pop music.

From the blues perspective his later work is way too out there to fit here, but soulful funky music from the Jackson Five certainly fits the broad pallet here at Blues Historian. However, I feel guilty tonight posting his early work as a child, knowing how he was treated and knowing how that kid with the bright eyes and all that talent never had a childhood, never got a chance to grow up, and I bet if he had to do it again he might give up all the fame and money just to have a chance to be a kid again.

On a positive note the Jackson Five transcended race. I remember in 2nd grade my elementary school had desegregated. African American students from inner city Des Moines came north to my elementary school. It was an amazing experience because as children we had no preconceive ideas about race. However, we had a strange voting experience on who was the best band. The choices were The Jackson Five, or the Osmond Brothers. Now I know what you are thinking, the white kids voted for the Osmonds, and the African American kids voted for the Jackson Five. WRONG! The boys voted for the Jackson Five, and the girls voted for the Osmonds! Even now Donny Osmond makes me cringe:-) (sorry Donny:-) However, the Jacksons were cool.

God Bless you Micheal. I hope you finally can have the childhood you so richly deserve. We will always have your music, and hopefully tonight you are jamming with the best damn band in heaven.