Once again we have to say goodbye to a Blues Legend. Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater died of heart failure at the tender age of 83.
The Chief, born Edward Harrington in 1935 in Mississippi, died in his hometown of Skokie, his label, Alligator Records, said in a statement.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel stated: “Chicago has lost one of our legendary blues musicians, innovators and ambassadors to the world, Clearwater leaves behind a lifetime of songs that gave a voice to the soul of the city that he loved.”
Eddy moved to Chicago in 1950, where he took music jobs with gospel groups playing in local churches before he started performing in West and South Side bars. His music career took off from there, as critics and fans alike praised his individual brand of blues, which he called “rock-a-blues”.
Eddy recorded 17 solo albums, including his 2003 album “Rock ‘N’ Roll City,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. His most recent release was “Soul Funky” in 2014. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.
He was set to play at Buddy Guy’s Legends club for crowds in town for next weekend’s Chicago Blues Festival as well as the Taste of Lincoln Avenue Festival in July.
Clearwater’s funeral is set for this Tuesday in Skokie where he lived for more than 20 years.
From all of us here at Shangrla Radio “You Gotta move On” Eddy – Safe trip and rest in peace.
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