Remembering yet another music legend. Lonnie Brooks 1933-2017

Sadly we received the news of the passing of another legend. The great Chicago Bluesman Lonnie Brooks.  I was lucky enough to see him at the Famous Dave's Blues Fest some years ago. I wanted to see as many of these guys a possible as there weren't many left at the time. Many of them have since passed on including Mojo Buford, Pinetop and Willie Smith. It is always important to remember these guys while they are alive and after they have gone. They are the founders of popular music.

Long live the king 1926-2017

Today we received the sad news that Chuck Berry had passed away. Chuck is probably the single greatest figure in rock music. Most of the great bands like AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and The Beatles wouldn't be around without Chuck. I had always hoped to see Chuck in concert. I did come close in 2012 when he was scheduled to perform at the Winter Dance Party tribute. But he dropped out at the last minute and was replaced with Pat Boone. The great 28 is perhaps one of my favorite albums easily in the top ten. Now with Chucks passing that leaves only three of the pioneers left. Fats, Jerry Lee and Little Richard.

James Cotton 1935-2017

Rembering rock pioneer Bobby Freeman 1940-2017

Remembering Tommy Allsup

Today I learned of the passing of guitar great Tommy Allsup at the age of 85. Although not a household name he is most known for his work with Buddy Holly. He was Hollies guitar player after his breakup from the Crickets. He played on the infamous Winter Dance Party tour along with Waylon Jennings as Hollies other guitar player. It was on this tour during a stop in Clear Lake that Holly chartered a plane to the next stop in Moorehead. Both Allsup and Jennings were to fly with Holly. But when co-headliner The Big Bopper got sick Waylon gave him his seat and the plane. Ritchie Valens one of the tours other stars also wanted a seat on the plane and flipped a coin for the seat with Allsup. Thankfully for Allsup he lost the toss because the plane would crash later that evening just a mile from the airport killing all on board. I was lucky enough to see Allsup during one of the Winter Dance Party tributes in 2012. Above is a video from that night. I was also able to meet him and get his autograph along with others who were there that night.