N Ot Just the Blues
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EXHIBITIONS N ot Just the Blues... REMEMBERING ROBERT JR. Roy Book Binder, Bob Corritore, Jorma Kaukonen, John Mayall, Jack Randall, Tommy McCoy and Anthony Sapienza pay tribute to the blues master, Robert Jr. Lockwood. 12 | SEVENTH HOUR BLUES | www.seventhhourblues.com Photos Courtesy Of Bob Corritore and Roy Book Binder EXHIBITIONS EXHIBITIONS Robert Jr. Lockwood: A Tribute 1915 – 2006 BOB CORRITORE: a high starting point as a record producer. trip Robert was reunited with his brother I first met Robert Lockwood Jr. in 1977 It also was the last time that these Little Sylvester Shannon who lived in Phoenix. while he was playing a two night gig at the Walter alumni would reunite to play in that Robert and Sylvester had not seen in each Paradise Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am a classic Little Walter style on a record. The other in years. He brought his wife Annie Chicago boy but I was going to college at CD was released on my fledgling Blues with him also and from that point forward I Tulsa University and I was already a big Over Blues Record label as it’s first release was a friend of the family. fan of Robert through his records both as a and was met with great fan-fare. I do not In 1991 I opened a night club called the leader and as a sideman with Little Walter think it would have been recognized nearly Rhythm Room and was able to bring Robert and Sonny Boy Williamson. I came to him as much without Robert Jr. on it even though out 3 more times. The first time Robert came as an adoring fan and we immediately Little Willie Anderson is a powerful artist out he brought Gene Schwartz and Robert established the roles we would have for of his own merit. This album is currently “Red Top” Young and I filled in the lineup the next 29 years: I the student and he the available on Earwig Music. with drummer Chico Chism. Then in 2000 teacher. I sat with Robert every break and he After that I would see Robert we had him out for a show in which he did invited me to play with his band for parts of periodically when he would come to visit a solo set and then Joined Henry Gray and both nights. I would not see him again until Chicago. It seemed like he would stop in Chico Chism for a beautiful set. During 1979 in Chicago when he just happened to every summer to see his longtime friend that trip I also recorded Robert again in a session with Henry Gray, Chico Chism, Mario Moreno (on bass), Johnny Rapp on Robert asked me “How Much You Sellin’ My CD For?” second guitar and myself on harmonica. Though Robert was best known at this and when I told him I was selling it for $15 he boasted point for playing 12-string electric guitar we had him play 6 string on this session that he was selling it for $20 proclaiming to recapture the older sound. Robert sang two numbers on this session including a “It’s a good record”. gorgeous version of “That’s Alright” which Robert claims to have written and given be in town during the same time period as Sunnyland Slim. They would usually do a to Jimmy Rogers. Then Henry Gray sang I was recording Little Willie Anderson. guest appearance at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted. about 10 songs. None of this session has He was in town coincidentally for the During one of those visits I called for been issued yet but it does exist and there funeral of Lee Jackson. I called him at Robert over at Sunnyland’s house and he are some great performances. I would later Sunnyland Slim’s house where he was invited me over. Hubert Sumlin was living play him the mixed version of his “That’s staying and I was delighted that he would with Sunnyland at the time. Fred Below Alright” in my car and he was very happy agree to be part of this project. Little Willie and Little Willie Anderson stopped on by with it saying “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with was a harmonica player deep in the Little also. I had a wonderful time just hearing that!”. I felt very proud. Walter mold and Robert’s participation these guys talk of their great experiences. I In 2003 on Robert’s last trip to the completed an already great lineup that felt really blessed to be there. Rhythm Room we did a live recording also included Sammy Lawnhorn, Jimmy In 1981 I would move from Chicago to session which would later become “The Lee Robinson, Willie Black and Fred Phoenix and in 1984 I set up a gig for Robert Legend Live” CD which featured Robert Below on drums. All of a sudden at age 22 Jr. at the L.P. Club and we did two shows. performing brilliantly in a solo performance here I am producing my very first record Robert started the show solo and then my on electric 12-string guitar. Robert had a with the best of the best. Robert Jr. added group at the time (The Mojomatics) would list of songs he had chosen to record which a simply magical touch to the record as he back Robert up. During that trip we went in he ran by me for approval. I was so touched must of done regularly for Chess Records the studio and recorded “Naptown Blues” by how hard he worked and how serious he during that label’s heyday. When I think which appeared on my All-Star Blues was about making a great record. He flew about this session I now realize that it was Sessions record. Again Robert graciously in the day before and asked me to bring to become a cornerstone of my life as it set allowed me into his greatness. During this over a practice amp for him in his hotel | SEVENTH HOUR BLUES | 13 www.seventhhourblues.com EXHIBITIONS room. When he was finished at the end of blessing in my life. He allowed me into his homebase. He was a very well respected the night he had given his all. The next day greatness and he taught me by example. forefather to the Blues and a huge influence we recorded a brief interview at KJZZ (the Though I am sorry to see him go I cannot and will be greatly missed. radio station that I host a blues show on) and think of a better lived life then the one he —Tommy McCoy he performed a medley of Dust My Broom made for himself. He would not want us to / Ramblin’ On My Mind which I released be upset. I once called Robert Jr. to inform From 1990-1996 Jack Randall was Robert on the “Blues On My Radio” compilation. him that his long time friend Dave Myers Jr. Lockwood’s agent. When he heard the During all these years I would run into had passed, and he could hear the sadness news that we’d be doing a tribute, to Mr. Robert Jr. frequently at out of town events in my voice. He strongly reprimanded me Lockwood, he called us to share a couple such as the Chicago Blues Festival, the for being upset, and said in his stern way: of stories about the man he remembered so Handy Awards and always at the King “That is just part of life and you have to fondly. Biscuit Blues Festival. We would speak accept that and move on”. Robert Jr. leaves by phone periodically also. In a phone call us with the strength and pride that he had JACK RANDALL: about a year ago while we were talking every day of his life. We will all miss In the early 90’s Sony Records released about “The Legend Live” Robert asked him, but his music and legend will live on Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings me “How Much You Sellin’ My CD For?” forever. in a double-boxed set and much to everyone’s and when I told him I was selling it for $15 —Bob Corritore shock and surprise, it ended up going gold. he boasted that he was selling it for $20 So on the heels of that, we were getting a proclaiming “It’s a good record’. Again I TOMMY McCOY: lot of requests for Robert Jr. Lockwood felt proud. The last time I saw Robert was I grew up in North Eastern Ohio from to play some of this music “acoustically” at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage festival 1954 into the late seventies. I started — which for Robert meant he would still (formerly called the King Biscuit Blues playing in and around the Cleveland area play it on his twelve-string electric guitar Festival) and we were able to sit together at a young age. Blues has always been but he would play it as a duo with his bass and visit for a good hour. I somehow knew my predominant influence and Robert player Gene Schwartz. He would play some that it might be our last time together. Lockwood has been a mainstay in the Ohio of his own songs but he would also play a I feel that my friendship and association Blues scene. I recently played in Cleveland lot of the Robert Johnson material as well with Robert Jr. Lockwood has been a true at “Fat Fish Blue”, Robert Lockwoods because of his lineage to Johnson.