William Clarke (musician)

William Clarke ( born March 21, 1951 in Inglewood, California, † November 3, 1996 in Fresno, California ) was an American blues harmonica player.

Biography

As a teenager, Clarke played guitar and drums, but switched in 1967 to the harmonica. His first influences were Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Sonny Boy Williamson II at the age of 18 he began playing in local clubs in South - Central Los Angeles, first with Smokey Wilson and Shakey Jake Harris, with whom he also his first recordings made ​​. From 1977 he learned with his great idol George " Harmonica " Smith all playing styles of chromatic harmonica and diatonic playing, from this arose a friendship and collaboration that lasted until death (2 October 1983) by George Smith.

In 1978 he recorded his first album " Hittin 'Heavy " on at Good Time Records (GT 1003). In 1987 he was nominated for his album Tip of the Top of the WC Handy Award, after which he signed with Alligator Records in Chicago. From this collaboration came up to his death four albums that made him known beyond the borders of California also.

Clarke toured extensively in 1996, after a concert in March he collapsed on stage. It was with him a congestive heart failure ( clogged heart vessels ) was observed. William Clarke said in an interview that the event was a wake up call for him. He reduced his weight by he kept a strict diet until his death, he had lost 27 kg and he curtailed his alcohol consumption. On October 12, he was in Indianapolis on stage at the Slippery Noodle; This concert was recorded and released in 2010 as a double album. On November 2, 1996, he was in Fresno on stage and collapsed after the concert. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors had to find a bleeding stomach ulcer; in the night he died.

Discography

  • Hittin ' Heavy ( 1978)
  • Blues from Los Angeles (1980 ) **
  • Can not You Hear Me Calling (1983 )
  • Tip of the Top ( 1987)
  • Rockin 'the Boat ( 1988)
  • Blowin ' Like Hell (1990 )
  • Serious Intentions (1992 )
  • Groove Time ( 1994)
  • The Hard Way ( 1996)
  • Deluxe Edition (1999)
  • Now That Your Gone (2001)
  • Live in Germany (2005) recorded on September 18, 1988 in Bremen
  • The Early Years, Vol.1 (2006)
  • The Early Years, Vol.2 (2006)
  • One More Again ( 2008)
  • Live Bootleg (2010) recorded in LA in 1991 and 1996
  • Double Dealin ' (2010) with Junior Watson ( guitar) recorded at the 1983 Can not You Hear Me Calling Sessions William Clarke & The Nightowls
Integrated Authority File
822101
de