Willie Lee "Big Eyes" Smith (January 19, 1936 – September 16, 2011) was an American electric blues vocalist, harmonica player, and drummer. He was best known for several stints with the Muddy Waters band beginning in the early 1960s.
Biography Born in Helena, Arkansas, Smith learned to play harp at age 17 after moving to Chicago, Illinois. He became a musician during the 1950s. In 1955, Smith joined Bo Diddley with "Diddy Wah Diddy" for the Checker label as a harmonicaist.Komara, Edward M. Encyclopedia of the Blues, Routledge (2006) page 902 – He starting playing with Muddy Waters after becoming a drummer. He was a part of Muddy Waters Sings Big Bill Broonzy.Strong, Martin Charles. The Great Rock Discography, Canongate U.S. (2004), page 1637 –
In 1961, Smith became a regular member of Muddy Waters' band. He remained a permanent member until 1980 apart from a break during the 1960s. All of Muddy's Grammy Award winning albums (Hard Again, I'm Ready, They Call Me Muddy Waters, Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live, The London Muddy Waters Session, and The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album were released between 1971 and 1979 during Smith's tenure with the band. )
The Legendary Blues Band was co-founded by Smith during 1980.Hanson, Karen. Today's Chicago Blues, Lake Claremont Press (2007), page 192 – Smith had recorded with Eric Clapton in the 1964 Otis Spann recording of "Pretty Girls Everywhere".Roberty, Marc, Eric Clapton: The Complete Recording Sessions 1963 – 1995, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1993
Smith's 2008 album Born in Arkansas utilized bassman Bob Stroger, pianist Barrelhouse Chuck, guitarist Billy Flynn, guitarist Little Frank Krakowski (who has worked with Smith for years) and his son and drummer, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith. In June 2010, Smith released Joined at the Hip with Pinetop Perkins. Joining these two in the studio were Stroger, and his son Kenny Smith on drums. John Primer, who was another Muddy Waters band alumnus, joined on lead guitar along with Frank Krakowski.
On February 13, 2011, Smith won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip, an album he recorded with Pinetop Perkins. He remained active in his final year of life, encouraging Liz Mandeville to start her own record label (Blue Kitty Music) and he was featured on two tracks of her album, Clarksdale that was released in 2012.
Death Smith died in Chicago following a stroke on September 16, 2011.
The Blues Foundation Awards Blues Music Awards Year Category Result 2011 Traditional Blues Album of the Year - Joined at the Hip (with Pinetop Perkins) Winner 2009 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2008 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2007 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2006 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2005 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2004 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2003 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 2002 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 1999 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 1998 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 1997 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner 1996 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner
Selective discography
As bandleader 2012Live Blues Protected by Smith & Wilson (with Roger "Hurricane" Wilson)Blues (acoustic)Blue Storm 2010Joined at the Hip (with Pinetop Perkins)BluesTelarc2008Born in ArkansasBluesBig Eyes Records 2006Way BackBluesHightone 2004Bluesin' ItBluesElectro-Fi2000Blues from the HeartBluesJuke Joint 1999Nothin' but the Blues Y'allBluesJuke Joint 1995Bag Full of BluesBluesBlind Pig
Legendary Blues Band YearTitleGenreLabel1993Money TalksBluesWild Dog Blues1992Prime Time BluesBluesWild Dog Blues1991U B da JudgeBluesIchiban1990Keepin' the Blues AliveBluesIchiban 1989Woke Up with the BluesBluesIchiban1983Red Hot 'n' BlueBluesRounder1981Life of EaseBluesRounder
With other artists
YearTitleArtistLabel1964The Blues of Otis SpannOtis SpannDecca1966Muddy, Brass & the BluesMuddy WatersChess1971Live at Mr. Kelly's Muddy WatersChess1973Last NightCarey BellBluesWay1973Can't Get No Grindin'Muddy WatersChess1974"Unk" in FunkMuddy WatersChess1977Hard AgainMuddy WatersBlue Sky1977Nothin' but the BluesJohnny WinterBlue Sky1978I'm ReadyMuddy WatersBlue Sky1979Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – LiveMuddy WatersBlue Sky1981King BeeMuddy WatersBlue Sky1997Born in the DeltaPinetop PerkinsTelarc2007Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It DownMuddy Waters, Johnny Winter, James CottonEpic2010Live! in ChicagoKenny Wayne Shepherd BandRoadrunner
References
External links Official website