With Father’s Day upon us, it seemed like a good day to revisit one of the very first posts on our blog, looking at the many second-generation bluesmen and women.
Here’s wishing a happy Father’s Day to the musicians — and fans — who are helping to make sure the blues live on by sharing it with their children!
Fathers and Sons (and daughters too)
Last week’s post regarding Elmore James, Jr., got me to thinking about some of the other children of blues greats who are helping to keep the genre alive through their own music. A few (in no particular order) who jump to mind:
Shemekia Copeland – daughter of Johnny “Clyde” Copeland
Bernard Allison – son of Luther Allison
Sam Carr – son of Robert Nighthawk
Lurrie Bell – son of Carey Bell
Kenny “Beady Eyes” Smith – son of Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Big Bill Morganfield and Mud Morganfield – sons of McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters)
Kenny Neal – son of Raful Neal
John Lee Hooker, Jr., and Zakiya Hooker – son and daughter of John Lee Hooker
And that’s not even mentioning some of the other relatives to blues greats, the likes of Phil Guy (the late brother of Buddy), Alex Dixon (grandson of Willie Dixon), and Nick Holt (brother of Morris Holt, a.k.a. Magic Slim), to name a few. Or artists whose music and/or relative’s music often encompasses the blues, including Derek Trucks (nephew to Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks) and Doyle Bramhall II (son of Doyle Bramhall), both of whom have joined none other than Eric Clapton on tour in recent years.
Even a quick list such as this is enough to suggest that there is much truth to the phrase “blues in the blood”