March has turned out to be a very depressing month for blues fans as evidenced by the listings below. Next month we will try to find space to pay tribute to some of these artists. We will also pay our respects to their memory by playing tributes on our radio show.

Joe Williams Dies

  Joe Williams, one of the eras greatest jazz and blues singers, died on March 30th in Las Vegas after leaving a hospital he was admitted to last week for a respiratory ailment. He was 80 years old. He started singing in his teens quitting High School to sing in the clubs of Chicago. During the late 30's and 40's he sang variously with Jimmy Noone, Coleman Hawkins, Les Hite and Lionel Hampton. In 1950 he began sitting in with the Count Basie band and on Christmas day 1954 became a permanent member. His "Everyday I Have the Blues"  with the band in 1955 was their first hit in 15 years and garnered him much fame. In the 60's Williams launched his solo career which kept him performing and recording up until his death.

Mighty Joe Yong Dies

   Mighty Joe Young passed away on March 24th after fighting physical problems for a few years. He was one of the first bluesmen to break through on Chicago's North Side in the 70's. Young cut his first sides in his native Louisiana in 1955 moving to Chicago shortly after where he cut a number of very good 45's for a series of small labels. In 1970 he made his album debut for Delmark as well as recording some solid records for the Ovation label. During the 70's and 80's he was much in demand as a session guitarist playing on the records of Jimmy dawkins, Otis Rush and Koko Taylor among others. His last record was 1997's critically acclaimed "Mighty Man" on Blind Pig.

Lillian McMurry Dies

  Lillian McMurry, who founded the  legendary Trumpet label in the early 50's, passed away on March 18th of a heart attack. She recorded and produced records by the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Joe Williams, Willie Love, Jerry McCain and many others. Among the classic recordings she produced were Elmore James' original "Dust My Broom" and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the Blind" and "Nine Below Zero". She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1998.

Peppermint Harris Dies

  Texas guitarist Peppermint Harris passed away on March 19th due to complications from pneumonia. Harris began his career under the tutelage of Lightnin' Hopkins recording for the Gold Star label in 1948 which was also Lightning's label at the time. His first hit came in 1949 for the Sittin' In label with "Raining in My Heart". His streak continued with 1951's "I Got Loaded" for Aladdin. He recorded for a number of small labels afterwards making his last record in 1995.