Georgia's Robert "Chick" Willis, the Don of the Blues, has died
Robert "Chick" Willis was an American blues singer and guitarist who performed and recorded from the 1950s to the 2000s. "Chick" Willis, also known as The Don of the Blues and "The Stoop Down" man, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012.He suffered with a mass in his chest that pressed on his vocal chords and for the first time in many years, he was unable to sing.
It is no exaggeration to state that the blues is one of the most flexible of musical forms. While most people associate this music with despair, the down and out, and the overcoming of adversity, it is also a sanctuary for much humor about the human condition. While the majority of performers only hint at this and even fewer utilize it effectively, hilarity and good times permeate the music of Blues Recording Artist “Chick Willis”. He can, and often does lay down some serious Blues. But his good nature and concern for his audience almost demand that he keep it on the light side.
He was born in Cabaniss, Monroe County, Georgia, the cousin of Chuck Willis.
.jpg)
The Willis family moved to Atlanta when he was about 6 years of age. He was surrounded by music as a youngster and displayed an early affinity by teaching himself guitar while already having experience with vocals, learned by singing with a gospel group he and his brother and cousins sang with at their family church, and other church gatherings. His early influences included Sam “Lighting” Hopkins, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker, and Little Milton in the later years. He became good enough in his late teens to begin working professionally in Atlanta at the old Royal Peacock Club, where he backed or played with a wide variety of talent such as Jackie Wilson, The Five Royals, Ray Charles, Big Joe Turner, Nappy Brown, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Reed, and many others at venues ranging from the Apollo Theater to the Magnolia Ballroom. He made his recording debut around this time for the small Ebb record label out of Los Angeles, California.
He served in the military in the early 1950s before working as a chauffeur for Chuck Willis during his heyday. He won a talent show at the Magnolia Ballroom in Atlanta and made his first record in 1956, with the Ebb Records' single "You're Mine".
After Chuck's death in 1958, Willis played with Elmore James, recording singles through the 1960s for Atco and other labels.
Let Me Play My Blues
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Soul-Blues, Early R&B, Dirty Blues
His 1972 release, "Stoop Down Baby", was a jukebox hit but secured no radio airplay, due to its sexually explicit content. The song was one he had developed when working at a carnival show, where he would tease passers-by with ribald rhymes. Some of his later recordings reworked the song. He released a steady stream of albums on Ichiban Records in the 1980s and 1990s, and continued to record into the 2000s.
His penchant for raucous humor was undoubtedly primed when he gigged in the 60’s with Rudy Ray Moore of “Petie Wheatstraw” fame. He even snagged a small part in the movie. He also had a small part in the Buddy Holly story.
In addition to being a first rate guitarist and vocalist, Chick played drums, keyboard, harmonica, and bass. Sometimes he was gifted to play the guitar with tongue and under his legs. Anything was possible in his pursuit to electrify an audience with his dynamic stage presence.
Chick has won numerous awards, including 2 Living Blues Awards, and is a member of the Blues Hall of Fame.
Chick died on December 7, 2013, aged 79.
Mr. Blues: The Best Of...So Far
Comments
Post a Comment