Jimmy McCracklin

Jimmy McCracklin ( born August 13, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri, † December 20, 2012 in San Pablo, California ) was an American blues pianist, singer and composer. He is a representative of the West Coast and Jump Blues. During his extensive career almost seven decades McCracklin recorded more than 30 albums, some of which reached gold status. According to his own testimony, he wrote almost a thousand songs.

McCracklins great example was the Blue pianist Walter Davis, whom he met as a boy. At a young age McCracklin was also active as a boxer, but opted for the music. After his military service during the Second World War he moved to the West Coast, where he in 1945 with Miss Mattie Left Me made ​​his recording debut. In 1946 he formed his own band Jimmy McCracklin & His Blues Blasters.

It was followed by numerous recordings for various labels. In 1958 he had his first major hit with The Walk. Other success have included numbers Just Got to Know ( 1961), Shame, Shame, Shame ( 1962), Every Night, Every Day (1965 ) and My Answer ( 1966). Published in 1962 his first album Jimmy McCracklin Sings. 1967 had Otis Redding and Carla Thomas Tramp with a hit by its authors McCracklin and Lowell Fulson are; 1987 brought Salt'N'Pepa the piece again in the charts.

McCracklin 1990 was awarded the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and in 2007 with the Living Legend and Hall of Fame Award at the Bay Area Black Music Awards. In 2008 he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.