This Week we Celebrate the life of Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins
Joseph William Perkins, if you have never heard of the name maybe you might know him better as “Pinetop Perkins” the legendary American blues musician and some would say the last of the delta blues men. Pinetop Perkins passed away March 21, 2011 at the age of 97. As I did the research for this article I quickly became amazed at the accomplishments Mr. Perkins achieved during his lifetime, as well as the many people he played music with.
Mr. Perkins was born in Mississippi in a town called Belzoni, and started off playing the guitar. But as the story goes there was a misunderstanding with a Choir Girl, she apparently cut his tendons not allowing him to grip the guitar or reach the frets properly. Learning the Piano and looking for opportunities to play music, he started playing piano with Sonny Boy Williamson’s King Biscuit Time a weekly radio broadcast.
It was while touring in the 1950’s with Earl Hooker, Perkins recorded what would eventually help evolve his stage name. The recording was “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” written by Pinetop Smith. Perkins said his stage evolved because “They used to call me Pinetop…because I played that song”. Pinetop Perkins left the world of music for a bit until he was convinced by Earl Hooker to start playing again.
When an opportunity opened for him to join the legendary Muddy Water band in 1969 he did and for a decade plus he created musical magic with some of the best known blues musicians of the day. Eventually he left the Muddy Waters Band to form The Legendary Blues Band with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. This musical venture lasted from the 70’s to the 90’s. Always playing as a sideman Perkins eventually recorded an album of his own works titled “After Hours” and toured in support of the album with two celebrated blues musicians, Jimmy Rogers and Hubert Sumlin.
Ever the musical mind Perkins from around 1992 to 2007 released more than 12 blues albums with several legends of blues joining him on these albums. At the young age of 97 Perkins was nominated and won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for the Album “Joined at the Hip” whom he recorded with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. At 97 Perkins is the oldest person to win a Grammy (beating out George Burns at 95).
Mr. Perkins passed away March 21, 2011 a little more than a month after receiving his Grammy Award. Upon his death the active musician still had dates booked for 2011. Mr. Perkins surly held a very full life and his influence will be felt for years to come. I would like to close with a response by the great B.B. King upon learning of Perkins death. In an email B.B. King went on to say "He was the last of the great Mississippi bluesmen," said King. "He had such a distinctive voice, and he sure could play the piano. He will be missed not only by me, but by lovers of music all over the world." Yes he will. The Story Place.