Guitar shorty passes

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Shorty


The ultimate showman


A guitar legend has traveled on

Guitar Shorty, was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was known for his explosive guitar style and wild stage antics. Credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, Guitar Shorty recorded and toured from the 1950s until the 2020s.[1][2] In 2017, Billboard magazine said, "his galvanizing guitar work defines modern, top-of-the-line blues-rock. His vocals remain as forceful as ever. Righteous shuffles...blistering, sinuous guitar solos."[3]
 
Shorty was born in either Houston, Texas,[4] or Loughman, Florida.[5] He grew up mainly in Kissimmee, Florida. He was taught by his uncle to play the guitar at an early age,[6] and began leading a band not long after. During his time in Tampa Bay, Florida, at age 16 he received his nickname, Guitar Shorty, when it mysteriously showed up on the marquee of the club he was playing as 'The Walter Johnson Band featuring Guitar Shorty.'[7] He steadily began to garner accolades from his peers and, soon after, he joined the Ray Charles Band for a year.[7] He recorded his first single in 1957, "You Don't Treat Me Right", for the Cobra label under the direction of Willie Dixon,[6] after Dixon saw him playing with the Walter Johnson Orchestra.[8]

While in New Orleans, Shorty also fronted his own band which played regularly at the Dew Drop Inn where he was joined by special guests such as T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner and Little Richard.[7] Not one to stay in one place long, Shorty next moved to the West Coast at 19 to play with Sam Cooke. He played up and down the west coast and Canada until he met his future wife, Marsha or Marcia, in Seattle, Washington.[6] Marsha was the step-sister of Jimi Hendrix.[9] Hendrix was so enthralled with Shorty's playing, he went AWOL several times from his Army base to see him perform.[7][8][10] Shorty introduced Hendrix to the wah pedal and loaned him one when Hendrix could not afford to buy his own.[11] Shorty married Marsha in 1962 and they separated in 1970.[9]

Shorty gigged steadily through the late 1950s and 1960s. During the 1970s, he worked as a mechanic, playing music at nights and on weekends. He again became a full-time musician in 1975, struggling at times to make ends meet. In 1976 he made an appearance on Chuck Barris' Gong Show, winning first prize for performing the song, "They Call Me Guitar Shorty", while balanced on his head.[10]
 
Never heard of him but he sounds like he's on BB King's level. Sounds great! Ever see a live show from him?
 
I REALLY like Blues music. But more in short bursts. Go to a club one Saturday night,....see an act,...LOVE IT. But then not again for a few weeks or so. Other music Genre's need attention too.

Used to go to a Blues club back in the day called J&J's blues bar down in Fort Worth. Had some Primo acts there. Had a lot of fun there too!.....;)

 

Yep- lots of greats in there- Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray, Clapton- even Bill Withers.

Sad loss- happy memories.
 
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