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- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Mar 10, 2020
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Rollicking pianist Big Maceo Merriweather was a major architect of Chicago blues
His heyday as a recording artist lasted just five years, but his output includes some of the most widely covered songs in the history of the genre.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Billy Boy Arnold helped the blues give birth to rock ’n’ roll
He might be best known as Bo Diddley’s 1950s harmonica player, but he’s 25 years into a comeback of his own.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Mar 12, 2019
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Prewar blues great Georgia White died forgotten in Chicago
Singer and pianist Georgia White made dozens of classic records for Decca from 1935 to 1941, then fell off the map in the 1970s.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Feb 13, 2019
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Muddy Waters drummer Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith never escaped the sideman shadow
Even when Willie "Big Eyes" Smith won a Grammy at the end of his life, he shared it with pianist Pinetop Perkins.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Feb 20, 2015
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Washboard Sam's playful hokum blues made him a Chicago favorite in the 30s and 40s
Country bluesman Washboard Sam was reputedly Big Bill Broonzy's half brother, and recorded with Broonzy and Memphis Slim—but the rise of postwar electric blues put an end to his popularity.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Jan 22, 2015
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Jazz Gillum
This popular blues harpist maintained a long partnership with legendary guitarist Big Bill Broonzy, but ended up eclipsed by the likes of Howlin' Wolf.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Mar 20, 2014
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Ernest "Little Son Joe" Lawlers
This distinctive bluesman was overshadowed by his wife, the great Memphis Minnie, but you might remember his "Black Rat Swing."
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Jan 9, 2014
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Arbee Stidham
Despite a big hit in 1948 and a career renaissance in the 60s, this bluesman is all but forgotten today.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Dec 12, 2013
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Georgia Tom Dorsey
He had his biggest hit as a raunchy bluesman, but today Thomas A. Dorsey is known as "the father of gospel music."
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Apr 4, 2013
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Doctor Clayton
This rowdy bluesman cut just 30 tracks, all between 1935 and 1947, but they helped plant the seeds for rock 'n' roll.