Matt Murphy (blues guitarist)
Matt " Guitar" Murphy ( born December 29, 1927 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American blues guitarist.
Life
Murphy was in the Mississippi Delta [note 1] born and grew up in Memphis and learned in the 1940s to play the guitar. In the early 1950s, he was, together with his brother Floyd, an integral part of the blues scene in Memphis. He was a member of several bands before he moved to Chicago. There he played for seven years in Memphis Slim's band, although the pianist shied guitarists. But his talent was so unusual that Memphis Slim made an exception. In Memphis Slim's recordings from 1952 to 1954 for United and Vee -Jay albums in 1958 and 1959 played Matt Murphy guitar. He participated in recordings under the band name " The Sparks " with Sam Chatman (bass, vocals) and John Calvin (saxophone) part. The American Folk Blues Festival in 1963, he toured through Europe and made way with Sonny Boy " Rice Miller " Williamson recordings in Denmark. In the 1970s, he was heard on recordings by James Cotton. He became internationally known for his film role in The Blues Brothers. There he played the husband of Aretha Franklin, who is convinced of the Blues Brothers to return from retirement. He was also a permanent member of the Blues Brothers Band, with whom he went on tour. The film appearance and tours with the Blue Brothers Band increased its visibility tremendously. His first solo album in 1990, he took on, with the support of his brother Floyd Murphy.
Throughout his musical career, he played with many blues greats, including Howlin 'Wolf, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Etta James, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Chuck Berry and Joe Louis Walker. With Memphis Slim, he played over a period of 20 years, together again. Murphy also appeared with his own band, the Matt " Guitar" Murphy belt on.
After a stroke and a subsequent long-term therapy managed Murphy from 2007, again playing the guitar at a high level and also again in public.