1970 Ann Arbor Blues Festival Program
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S Lbliies festival 500 \r «a PROGRAM FRIDAY NIGHT SUNDAY AFTERNOON CHAIRMAN: John Fishel CO-CHAIRMAN: Ken Whipple FESTIVAL LIASON: Glenn Baron Roosevelt Sykes John Jackson ENTERTAINMENT: Mark Platt Bwfcfea-WMte O ,- . VV'-'J-- ■Papa-ti-ghtföi5t “ PUBLICITY: Chris Seltsam, Tom Leavens, Mighty Joe Young Little Brother Montgomery > TECHNICAL: Worth Gretter Jimmy Dawkins PROGRAM: Dick Pohrt, Marion Krzyzowski, Carey Bell John Steinbach, Joel Silvers, A ustin Igle- John Lee Hooker Buddy Guy Oy , hart, Jim Dulzo Howlin Wolf Otis Rush ^ DISCOGRAPHIES: Mark Platt POSTERS: Andy Whipple. Ro Lee, Seri Gra phics SATURDAY AFTERNOON SUNDAY NIGHT STAGE MANAGER: Pete Ostel rt\ i^ e e c k SOUND: Hanley Sound Houndog'Taylor Mance Lipscomb LIGHTING: Tom Fields Associates Lazy Bill Lucas SECRETARY: Nancy Niec Little Joe Blue M.C.: Paul Oliver Fred McDowell Lowell Fulson GENERAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE: Juke Boy Bonner Big Mama Thornton Nancy Hessler, Gerard Mulder, Walter Luther Allison Junior Parker Kneer, Bill Joy, Maurice Rinkel, Jerry Albert King , Newman, Don Bohrt, Lt. Conn, Brad Son House Barr, Clint Hewitt. Jim Sandler, Rev. Ix j ?afy€ Swv )fh Mark Harris SATURDAY NIGHT SPONSORS: University Activities Center, Canterbury House Robert Pete Williams Johnny Shines with Sunnyland Slim Johnny Young Dave Alexander Joe Turner with Eddie Vinson Bobby Bland Cover photo: Otis Spann R o W if Vv' > «ci PHOTO CREDITS TOM COPI: 56,51,49,45,44,39,30,31,32,26,24, 19. STANLEY LIVINGSTON: 10,6. ROYAL TOWNS: 55. CHRIS STRACHWITZ: 46,22,23. RAY FLERLAGE: cover,27,15. JORG KORAN: 42. BOB KOESTER: 34,21. STEVE La VERE: 41. DAVID CAPPS: 14. LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Bill Benoit Rhonda Benoit ASSISTANT: Bob Hippier PHOTOS: Thomas R. Copi 2 ann a lte r blues festivo) pcgram 1970 T 1 \ le I b u e s n e ve r d ie The Blues will never die. We of the Blues Festival Committee whole heartedly believe this, but we also accept that time changes everything, even the blues. The Ann Arbor Blues Festival is set up as a tri 'f e e bute to an American musical genre that has been a - / J if part of black culture in this nation since slave days. It is from and of the black experience. Those who bemoan the passing of the so-called rural blues fail to realize that the same intesity and feeling is apparent in the blues that pour from the black urban community today. The blues are the same - only the problems are different. Really, the blues never die, only bluesmen. In the short space of twelve months since last year’s festi val the blues world has been saddened by the un timely death of many noted bluesmen. Sadly, each of the artists who died represented a high point in the craft that they followed. It is due to these men that the blues continue to be heard and loved. Their deaths have left a vacancy in our hearts that will never be filled. As a gesture of appreciation to their greatness, we would like to pay tribute to them: T. V. Slim - On October 21, 1969, at the age of 53, Oscar “T.V. Slim” Wills died. Slim died in an auto accident near Kingman, Arizona, when his car hit an oil slick. Slim was a little known Texas blues man whose big hit was “Flat Foot Sam” which was distributed nationally by Checker. Slim leaves a wife and eleven children. Kokomo Arnold - On November 8, guitarist-singer Kokomo Arnold dTed of a heart attack. He was born in Lovejoy, Georgia on February 15, 1901, and be gan playing professionally in 1924. He moved to Chi cago in 1929 and played there until 1941. During this time he recorded for Decca. Then he drifted into obscurity never to play again. J-^XJBrpwn - On November 24, saxophonist J. T. Brown pass??} away. His death went virtually un noticed. J. T. was best known for his great sax work with J. B. Lenoir and Elmore James. He was highly respected among Chicago’s musicians and was known as “Nature Boy”, “Sax Man”, “Bep”, and “Big Boy”. He played a great, rocking sax and occasionally sang. He can be heard on recordings with many of Chicago’s greatest artists. He also leaves a few obscure singles as his legacy. • In late November Skip James, the legenaary ijelta blues singer, passed away at the age 3 ann arbor blues festival program 1970 of 67. Skip recorded during the 1930’s and then lived Otis had been one of the most active pianists in the in total obscurity until 1964, when he was “redis blues. He was an integral part of the Muddy Waters covered”. His discovery led to two great albums on Blues Band until a few years ago when he left the Vanguard and an appearance at the 1964 Newport group to make it as a solo performer. Besides play Folk Festival where he khocked the audience out. ing and recording with Muddy, Otis backed up almost Soon after he fell ill, never to perform again. His every other blues musician on the Chicago scene death marks the closing of a great chapter in Amer in the last 20 years (Howling Wolf, Little Walter, ican music. Johnny Young, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy MajricSam - On December 1, Samuel (Magic Sam) Williamson, Johnny Shines, etc.) He was by far Magneti collapsed and died of a heart attack, the most responsive and sensitive accompanying probably brought on by overwork more than any musician in the blues world. thing else. Like many brilliant blues musicians, for Spann was also a remarkable solo performer and tune and fame eluded Sam. He spent most of his we are fortunate to have a wealth of his recordings. musical career scuffling around Chicago for jobs in He had a highly individual style of playing and was the bars and lounges which were usually character a moving singer. Sitting down at the piano, he quickly ized by their long hours and low pay. Still, Sam’s became immersed in his music. Perhaps more than fluid guitar work and powerful, piercing vocals helped anyone else, he epitomized the blues. to make his name legend among the ghetto blacks With Spann’s death, a big part of the blues also on the South and West sides of Chicago. He formed died, for there is no one around to take his place. his first band while still in high school and cut Otis was to appear in Ann Arbor this year and in some 78’s for the now defunct Cobra label at the age his honor the Blues Festival Committee has renamed of twenty. Sam was the undisputed highlight of the festival site Otis Spann Memorial Field. last year’s festival. Virtually unknown when he came Lonnie Johnson - On June 17, veteran bluesman to Ann Arbor, Sam completely destroyed the crowd Lonnie Johnson died as the result of a stroke. Born in a brilliant 45 minute set. Long after he had left in New Orleans in 1889, Lonnie first became famous the stage, cheerleader type chants arose from the playing the guitar in Story ville bordellos. Probably no audience calling him back. He had released two great man influenced modern blues and rock guitar styles albums on Delmark, made a tour of Europe, and more than Lonnie Johnson. From Jimi Hendrix and was just beginning to achieve some long overdue Eric Clapton to B. B. King, every guitarist owes recognition when he died. Magic Sam was 32. a debt to Lonnie. He developed the modern blues . Sliro.JJarRft - On January 31, 1970 Slim Harpo sound. died of a heart attack in Baton Rouge. Slim was Lonnie had a long and illustrious career beginning born James Moore and was only 45 when he died. in the early twenties. He played with Duke Ellington A great guitar and harp player, Slim had been play and Louis Armstrong and accompanied such singers ing and recording for many year s. He recorded as Texas Alexander and Victoria Spivey. Lonnie several outstanding albums for Excello and produced recorded on a wide variety of labels and left us such hits as “I’m a King Bee”. “Baby Scratch My with probably the largest collection of 78 recordings Back”, and “Tip on In”. * made by any blues singer. He was scheduled to appear at this year’s festival and he will be missed Earl Hooker - On April 20, Earl Hooker succumbed by all of us. to tuberculosis. B. B. King had called him “the greatest living blues guitarist - except he’s too damn We of the festival hope to achieve, as last year, lazy”. Earl first recorded in 1948 for King records. a true rapport between the audience and the per Over the years he backed up many musicians, includ forming artist. This shouldn’t be too difficult as ing Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, and his cousin this year’s show contains some of the greatest blues John Lee Hooker. Earl, who picked up his slide acts around. This is a lineup that may never be guitar style from Robert Nighthawk, was a great repeated again. Watch, listen, and dig it, which performer in his own right. In the last few years shouldn’t be too hard as the next three days of he cut some great albums for Arhoolie, Blue Thumb, music will be fantastic. After the three days are and Bluesway. However, fame eluded him. He suf over, see if you don’t agree with us that the Blues fered from TB for many years and this disease finally shouldn’t die.