It’s the first boogie woogie hit but is it rock & roll?

 BLUESMUSE24 In 1928, the former Ma Rainey and Butterbeans and Susie accompanist, Clarence ‘Pinetop’ Smith, recorded his renowned boogie piano track, Pinetop’s ‘Boogie Woogie’. A 24-year old Alabama comedian and piano player, Pinetop enjoyed one of the first-ever boogie hits with this number, which was hugely responsible for popularising the style we now know as…

The Chuck Berry-style guitarist six years before Chuck Berry

The Chuck Berry-style guitarist six years before Chuck Berry

BLUESMUSE22. TAKE A LISTEN ON THE LINK BELOW Updated and reformatted March 31st 2017 Chuck Berry (God bless him) is one of the finest lyricists known to rock & roll. Chuck also plays inimitable, dynamic, guitar-driven old-school rhythm & blues. Except Chuck’s style isn’t quite that inimitable. That’s because, in April 1949, sounding very much like the Chuck Berry…

Why Lonnie Johnson was the most influential blues guitarist of all

Why Lonnie Johnson was the most influential blues guitarist of all

“He (Lonnie) certainly had a presence: the blog points are well considered. Sadly, his grace and subtlety marginalized him.” @steviegurr May 19, 2015, California. “Thank you, Paul. I enjoyed reading the writing on Lonnie Johnson you wrote. I agree he and Big Bill get overlooked.” bryanhimes @bryanhimes June 20, 2013. While I can’t agree with the blues historians…