Legendary bluesman Pinetop Perkins dead at 97

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Legendary bluesman Pinetop Perkins dead at 97

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110321/ap_en_mu/us_obit_pinetop_perkins



In this Oct. 11, 2009 file photo, Grammy winning blues pianist Joe Willie 'Pinetop' Perkins motions a 'thumbs up' gesture during the annual festival at Hopson Plantation in Clarksdale, Miss. Perkins, one of the last old-school bluesmen and oldest Grammy winner, died at his home of cardiac arrest Monday, March 21, 2011, his manager said. He was 97. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

AUSTIN, Texas – Pinetop Perkins, one of the last old-school bluesmen who played with Muddy Waters and became the oldest Grammy winner this year, died Monday at his home of cardiac arrest. He was 97.

Perkins was having chest pains when he went to take a nap and paramedics could not revive him, said Hugh Southard, Perkins' agent for the last 15 years.

The piano man played with an aggressive style and sang with a distinctive gravelly voice.

Perkins accompanied Sonny Boy Williamson on the popular King Biscuit Time radio show broadcast on KFFA in Helena, Ark., in the 1940s. He toured with Ike Turner in the 1950s and joined Waters' band in 1969.

[panader0]

1. Wow! 97! RIP Pinetop.........

He had a lot longer life and a nicer end than Sonny Boy.

[pacalo]

2. I've never heard of him before, but I love his name! Have a gentle journey into

the heavens, Pinetop.

[bluerum]

3. Mai Cramer used to start/end her show at wgbh with one of his songs.

I think it was Kidney Stew. I could never find that exact version of it.

Wow. What memories.

[bmbmd]

4. My son Zach saw Pinetop

in Austin at SXSW two days ago,and sat at his table. He congratulated him on winning his fifteenth Grammy. Mr. Perkins remembered Zach from a couple of years ago, and asked him how his music was coming.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

7. And that's the definition of "class," isn't it?

Here's a legend, a Grammy winner 15 times over, who has it in his heart to ask "so how are you doing?"

It's like Buddy Guy...when he steps out on a stage, he's there to take ownership of everything and everyone in his path...he borders on feral. I love the guy...as he describes himself, he's "stone crazy," he holds nothing back. But when you listen to him in interviews he's one of the most humble, articulate, soft-spoken, kind people you'd ever want to encounter...he has a musician's heart.

Same for Pinetop.

[dbt]

5. Goodnight from Arkansas, Pinetop!

Sleep well and get ready to play some more in the morning!

:loveya:

[madrchsod]

6. i saw him in chicago...

it was many years ago....