Billy Boy Arnold

Billy Boy Arnold ( born September 16, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American blues musician, a master of the harmonica.

Life

1948, the young Arnold in the Mississippi Delta, [note 1] where he visited his idol Sonny Boy Williamson. The willingly taught him some tricks, but was murdered soon after.

Arnold 1952 Made his first recordings for the small COOL label, but were unsuccessful. At that time, he played regularly with Johnny Shines, Johnny Temple, and Otis Rush in appearances. In 1955 he accompanied Bo Diddley at his debut hit single, Bo Diddley and I'm a Man. Arnold had with I Wish You Would at Vee Jay Records a hit, which was later re-recorded by the Yardbirds, as I Is not Got You - an original by Jimmy Reed. He played at this time in the famous APOLLO in New York City.

In the 1960s subsided Arnold's popularity. He worked occasionally as a bus driver in Chicago, and later for the government of the State of Illinois. However, in the 90s, he had a much awaited comeback with the album Back Where I Belong (1993) and Eldorado Cadillac (1995). Their 2001 release, the album Boogie 'n' Shuffle.

The bassist Jerome Arnold is a brother of Billy Boy (he's one of 16 children) and has performed with Paul Butterfield. Another brother Augustus " Gus" Arnold, who also plays the harmonica, and writes books. Augustus Arnold is better known under the name Julio Finn and has recorded or played with such diverse artists as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Archie Shepp, Linton Kwesi Johnson, the blues guitarist Eddie C. Campbell.