Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith ( born January 19, 1936 in Helena, Arkansas; † 16 September 2011) was an American blues musician. He is best known as a longtime drummer in the band of Muddy Waters.
Career
Smith was raised by his grandparents. For their neighbors were Robert Nighthawk and Pinetop Perkins. At age 17, Smith was visiting his mother in Chicago and remained in the city. He taught himself to play the harmonica and the drums on and formed with Clifton James (drums, harmonica) and Bobby Lee Burns (guitar ), a blues trio.
In 1955 he married and gave the music for a short time. In 1956, he joined with Arthur "Big Boy" Spires and 1957 on the "Red Devil Trio" by Little Hudson Shower. In 1961, Smith to the band of Muddy Waters, after he had previously been in the "Junior Muddy Waters Band " played drums. 1980 he was employed together with Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones and Jerry Portnoy of the founding members of the "Legendary Blues Band ". The band was nominated several times for the Grammy Awards and took on seven well-received by critics albums. They played as a support group with Buddy Guy, Howlin 'Wolf and Junior Wells, on tour they were with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. In the film, The Last Waltz, they were the band behind Muddy Waters, Blues Brothers and they played street musicians who accompanied John Lee Hooker.
It was not until 1995, with Smith Bag Full of Blues released his first solo album, the others followed. Besides this he continued with the " Muddy Waters Reunion Band " and the " Legendary Blues Band " on. From 1996 to 1998 and from 2002 to 2007, he was each several consecutive years won the Blues Music Award for Blues Drummer of the Year. In 2008 he received the Living Blues Award for best drummer. In 2011, Smith and Pinetop Perkins were awarded for album Joined At The Hip Grammy Award in the category " Best Traditional Blues Album". In the same year died on September 16, "Big Eyes" of a stroke.
Band
- Willie "Big Eyes" Smith harmonica song
- Bob Stroger Bass
- Little Frank Krakowski Guitar
- Jimmy Mayes Drums
- Kenny Smith Drums