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Pinetop Perkins -- 'Last of the Great Delta Bluesmen' -- Dead at 97

Posted on Mar 21st 2011 9:20PM by Benjy Eisen

Rick Diamond, WireImage

Recent Grammy winner and longtime blues legend Pinetop Perkins passed away at the age of 97, on Monday. Reportedly, Perkins died in his Austin, Texas home after suffering a cardiac arrest. Still an active performer and musician, with gigs even lined up on his schedule at the time of death, Perkins was one of the last -- if not the last -- of a certain breed of original, old-time Delta bluesman. In fact, in 2007, he won a Grammy for his contributions to a live album entitled 'Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas.' He also won a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2005 and took home a third Grammy just this past February for best traditional blues album ('Joined at the Hip,' a collaboration with Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith).

According to the Associated Press, fellow blues great B.B. King released an email statement, mourning the loss. "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."

Although Perkins cut his most famous track -- 'Pinetop's Boogie Woogie' (which, incidentally, was a cover) -- in Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis in 1953, it was his work as Muddy Waters' sideman, which began in 1969, that secured his fame as a piano player unlike any other. Perkins remained with Waters' backing band when they abandoned ship to form their own Legendary Blues Band in 1980.

It is because of these associations that Perkins will probably always be thought of as an ambassador of the Chicago blues sound, as well as an original Delta bluesman. Born in Mississippi, Perkins moved from Chicago to Austin, Texas in 2004, where he quickly became a local treasure with national legend status.

As B.B. King surmised, he certainly will be missed.

Watch Video of Pinetop Perkins' 2007 Performance in Austin

Download Pinetop Perkins Songs | Buy Pinetop Perkins Albums

Filed under: News, R.I.P.
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Dadfad

It's sad about Pinetop. I'd seen him perform several times over the last thirty years. But I wouldn't call him "Last of the Great Delta Bluesmen." One of the last? Yes, but that title is now left for Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards, who will be 96 this June. Honey was contemporary (and roommate) of Robert Johnson, recorded by Lomax for the Library of Congress before WWII, and he still gigs regularly.

When he is gone, I think then you can title his obit "Last of the Great Delta Bluesmen."

March 22 2011 at 4:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

adahar

we enjoyed one ofPinetop's show- with "Big Eyes" Willie Smith on drums- a couple of years ago - Pinetop's vivacity, skill and showmanship would never giveaway his age! whata performer!! he'll be missed

March 22 2011 at 11:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

WILLIAM

GREAT PERFORMER. TO HIS FAMILT, SORRY FOR THE LOSS.

March 22 2011 at 11:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

beninrb

I recently took my 13 yr old son to a blues concert in Orange County to see Hubert Sumland and Pinetop Perkins. It was for us a once and last in a lifetime musical experience.

He will be remebered for his style and class.

March 22 2011 at 10:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chabsentia

You know that somebody is truly great when the Piano Player is the central player in a great Blues group. There arent many of the great blues players alive. One person here mentioned Honey boy. Junior Wells died several years ago. B.B. King is up in age. Ray Charles has been gone for a while.They just dont make them like these anymore. Most if not all of them were self taught. We will miss you Pinetop.

March 22 2011 at 10:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael Frank

Pinetop's good friend Honeyboy Edwards, age 95, who has known Pinetop since 1927, continues to play the blues. Honeyboy is the last of the great Delta Blues guitar players, Pinetop was the last legendary piano player. Honeyboy has dates around the USA through 2011. Anyone who wants to reminisce about Pinetop, can come to a Honeyboy show and talk with Honeyboy after the show about his early days with Pinetop on the plantations.

Pinetop was one of a kind, as a musician and as a person. He and Honeyboy Edwards loved to rib each other whenever they rean into each other on tour. He will surely be missed.

Folks in Chicago can catch an occasional show by octagenarian piano great Aaron Moore, who came from Greenwood, Mississippi to Chicago in the 1950s.

March 22 2011 at 9:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Thomas Marks

The world I wish to live in is The Great Pinetop Perkins on the 20 dollar bill followed by the still living legend BB on the 50 and the god-like Ray Charles on the Hundred... That would go a long ways in fixing our world.

March 22 2011 at 12:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Susan t

You were amazing Pinetop!! You will be remembered but missed.

March 22 2011 at 12:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Berk

God bless you Pinetop. You were one of a kind and a real national treasure. You will be missed.

March 21 2011 at 11:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply