Language of the Blues - Edmonton Blues Society

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Patton- the first great star of Delta country blues.
Far more devoted to drinking than to his career, Johnson frittered away his substantial
talent away on medicine shows, juke joints, and house parties while slowly killing
himself with whatever alcoholic substance he could get in hand. He died of a heart attack
playing a house party gig in 1956.
In 1966 a couple of ardent white blues-record collectors, Alan Wilson and Bob Hite,
headlining slot at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and performances at the original
Woodstock Festival, and had several hits, including the unofficial theme of the
The members of Canned Heat used their fame to help their blues heroes: they
collaborated with John Lee Hooker on his Grammy-winning album The Healer, rescued
Sunnyland Slim from obscurity as a taxi driver, and helped Albert Collins secure a
recording contract.
Felled by his own blues, Alan Wilson committed suicide in 1970. Bob Hite died of a
heart attack in 1981, but Canned Heat continued to produce blues-rock boogie with
since 1967).
Songs:
- Will Shade
- Tommy Johnson
- Arthur Petties
C APT A IN
nowned blues scholar Gayle Dean Wardlow, who was raised in
92
After Emancipation, many Southern white employers still expected to be addressed as
Captain by black employees.
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ie with a
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