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Welcome to the guestbook of Sonny Boy's Lonesome Cabin. Don't forget to sign it while you're here.
Name: Brian Clark Wow! What a great site ! Thank you for the information about what harps Sonny Boy played, or favoured, and the discussion about his playing style. you are now listed as one of my favorite sites. I'll be back and often. Thanks !!!
Name: Kev Stacey Great site. Keep up the good work.
Name: jerry king thanks so much for putting in what must have been and continues to be one hellofa lota work. I can only dream of what it would of been like to meet such a great man. Having this site helps me know theres alot more fans out there that appreciate his mark in this world.
Name: jerry king I've been an avid blues music addict since the early 60s and sonnyboy with his spittin wompin suckin rhymic harp style is my favorite
Name: Col Freeman Great site for a great man. Now I'll just take my seat, right way back....
Name: Ian Wright I saw the great man play when he came to the UK in the mid60`s. He "Aint fattening no more frogs for snakes" now, but I keep in touch through his wonderful music.
Name: Scovill Allan Well done. A very nice site. Found it thru the Chess Records site. Keep the Faith. Play On!
Name: William Luckman A very impressive site - congratulations on all your hard work. What I wouldn't give to have seen SBW playing in his prime...
Name: steve p. I've been heavy into Sonny boy lately, and just discovered your site by searching google. It's fascinating to read the comments of the legions of fellow accolytes. I think Sonny boy blended his vocals and playing like no other bluesman. Combined with the emotion and humor of his lyrics, the music captivates. But i have to say, its sonny boys phrasing that really makes him unique. Never predictable and always adding nuance. We can learn to play his music, after a fashion. But the real challenge is to find in ourselves a means of expressing our own life experience in a unique way. Sonny Boy is a great teacher. Thanks for making him more accessible.
Name: Gwen Thompson It was a pleasure to meet you. You are incredibly interesting and I enjoyed listening to you knowledge of African American Music. I'll be in touch in the near future. Take good care of yourself. Gwen Thompson alias Alias - "Bobby Bland"
Name: Steve Ritchie A voice like car on gravel,but nobody played harp like the old guy
Name: Jonathan Hull The first song of his that I heard was "Eyesight to the blind" and I became an instant fan. I picked up a new record of his every chance I got. I even had "Don't send me no flowers" at one time, but I lost it. I understand it is unavalible now. Long live the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time). THANKS! Jon Hull
Name: Lars E Stinterud If there are anyone that has, or know about anyone who has the record with SBW and Memphis Slim in Paris in 1964... I dream about getting it, and that it's better than "Portrait In Blues" and "The Blues Of SBW"....... Anyone?
Name: john stanton Just found the site and as a great Sonny Boy ll fan, I find it most interesting. I saw a program on PBS recently titled ,"Roots of American Music" It had a long section devoted to Sonny Boy 2 with a video of the old guy playing his harp and singing. Just wish they had shown more of his old tapes. Also, found out that Sonny Boy was the mentor to James Cotton, who is the best living harp player. J.C. shows that he hasn't lost any of his skill. A real tresure was an old tape of Muddy Waters band doing "Mojo" and had a long piece of Cotton blasting loose on his harp -- the most exciting piece of harp playing ( outside of S.B ) I have ever seen. Listening now to the old master; just wish I would have had a chance to see him live. Anyhow, his music lives on. My favorites: "Temp 110"; "Mister downchild"; "You can do it if you wanna"; etc. Noticed that most of Sonny Boy's songs that he wrote have some surreal references in them e.g. "Like Wolf" ( what was he thinking when he wrote that?) with the opening line, "my back don't hurt, it's just my head inside .." Like to hear from other S.B. 2 fans. John Stanton
Name: alain jouhanneau Love with The Blues,Sonny Boy Williamson the real Harmonica bluesman,Harmonica and The Rolling Stones.
Name: "Motor" Jon Nichols I started playing Blues Harmonica around 1964 after I first herd British Groups featuring harmonica solos in blues style rock songs. Of course all the British Artists knew Sonny Boy, and many other american bluesmen before we did. We heard covers of Sonny Boy by Manfred Mann, Nashville Teens, and the Animals way before we actually got a hold of Sonny Boy's original recordings. The Brits actually were the ones who brought Sonny Boy's (and others) music back to us in a full circle. I've been playing harp for 37 years now and still have my band. His songs are without a doubt the most requested at every gig we perform at. Most requested? "Help Me" Not many remember those early British bands like the Pretty Things, etc. but everybody still knows Sonny Boy! JN
Name: Martin Kaercher ..wizzard on the harp, a man who came from...and I listened all the time to an old record, featuring young E. Clapton and the Yardbirds. I still own it and keep aon listening..........
Name: Craig Ruskey Pretty interesting site. However, a few pointers... Robert Nighthawk's rendering of what is here titled "I'm Gonna Murder My Old Lady," is correctly titled "I'm Gonna Murder My Baby." A cover of Doctor Clayton's "Cheating And Lying Blues." Also, the drummer referred to here as Jim Carr is actually Sam Carr, nephew of Robert Nighthawk. And the story about the shack that might have been the Miller's sounds intriguing, but are there documents which back that assertion? The sharing of information in the on-going study of blues is important, and while I applaud your efforts, you may want to go back and change a few of the incorrect items to make sure the proper information is shared. Thanks.
Name: Lance Faraone I just got into blues & Sonny Boy's tones pierce everybody's souls. There will never be another harp player like him again.
Name: guy deschenes Very good historical bites. Dusted off my harp today!
Name: Trevor Penney A truly great site.
Name: John sb Benj THANKS FOR A GREAT SITE
Name: rick estrin hi "professor, loved your site but couldn't help but do a little editing. rice miller did "peach tree", not "pear tree". incidentally, did you ever receive the photo of sonnyboy with robert jr. and a drummer, taken as they were leaving WDIA? i sent it to you two or three years ago and wonder if you got it. all my best, rick estrin
Name: JOSUE SILVA VERY NICE SITE.I HAVE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO HELENA SOMEDAY.WHAT΄S THE BEST MONTH TO GO THERE? ANYWAY, SONNYBOY II STILL THE NUMBER ONE.HE DIDN΄T HAVE ANY PARTICULAR MIC OR AMPLI BUT HE COULD PLAY LIKE JUST A FEW WITH ALL THOSE TECNOLOGIC STUFF CAN DO NOWADAYS. HE IS A GENIUS.
Name: Ricardo Pacetti Learning how to play and caught SBWII site from Harmoniajukebox. Its a great site I will be visiting frequently.
Name: Lars E Stinterud I've got into it.... the last couple years. Just listening to the originals...Rice and Big Walter. I've read some, that Rice learnt some licks from Walter, Walter as Little Boy Blue and also with the Memphis Jug Band....but who was the "first"? Anyway, the album "The Blues Of Sonny Boy Williamson" is fantastic!
Name: Dave Hadaway "I heard Sonny Boy blow. He was a mean old man, but he could blow his horn."......... Thx for this site. It's dice.
Name: John Nelms jr blues do not descriminate...
Name: Jared Welsh hi
Name: Allan Thanks for Bringing it on home... Got my ticket, conductor done hollered, all aboard... All harp players owe a debt to Sonny Boy's blues. I've been playing his music for decades and never tire of it. Thanks for the site. Great job!
Name: Keith Love the site. Had a great time in Helena for 2001 King Biscuit Fest. The spirit of Sonny Boy lives on. Sure wish you would give directions to the chidhood home for blues lovers like me.
Name: Dano Went and saw Robert Lockwood tonight. Found your site searching for Lockwood. Great site!!!! Keep up the good work!!! peace & soul! Dan Collins Detroit Stevie Ray Vaughan Fanclub (President) Detroit Blues Society (member) Blues Foundation (member)
Name: Linda Cox I came across your site after reading a mention of Sonny Boy in the Chicago Trib. I decided to do a Google search and ended up on your site. It is a wonderful site! Thanks.
Name: steve sullins nice site, lots of good info, have lots of sb all on lp in great shape, been playin the harp myself since 1978, just for fun and an occasional gig.. steve
Name: Mike Asbury Sonny Boy Williamson II is on top of the list of harp blowing' greats !!!!! I have been blowin'harp for over 40 years and play in a local not-for-profit band (we haven't made a buck yet) but we sure have a ball wid' da blues. Thanks for this great site!!!
Name: Kasra Ganjavi He Is the Blues.
Name: J.Bruun Great site. I have been listen to SBW since 1963 and I got 10 albums.
Name: J.Bruun Great site. I have been listen to SBW since 1963 and 10 albums.
Name: Jaime "Jimmy Diablo" Nuero Simply the best harp player, what can I say?
Name: Pat Anconetani This is really a wonderful site, could spend hours exploring. My friend told me about it last night after being told about the site by the essor himself. Really interesting stuff about Sonnyboy, plus tidbits on others like Robert Johnson. I'm so glad to know about it!
Name: Rod 'Daddy Oh' Moore Great web site you have here on a great blues man & harp player. Just to let you know the blues is alive and well down under. To WIN FREE Cd's from Melbournes Dirty Work visit their site at http://dirtywork.live.com.au
Name: Jimmy Daly Mu best presentations with Yardbirds Band, and the harmoniva pleyer...JIMMY.-
Name: Dan Henderson Bye Bye Bird, need I say more.
Name: WARREN WILSON Does anyone else think,like me,that "Let your concience be your guide" (9479) and "Unseeing eye" (9480),were actually recorded at the 7980-7984 matrices session of January 24,1956?
Name: Markus Waeltl Today i bought the cd " Keep it to ourselves" and after the first hearing i knewded : this is the best blues-cd on earth ! Unbelievable ! I love it ! Greetings from germany
Name: Jeff Neumann I first heard Sonny Boy on "underground" radio - that was the name for FM rock stations at the time that also played blues, soul and folk. That was was in 1968. I was turned on to a blues sound that totally changed the way I was playing the harmonica. I'm still playing! You can hear my band "The Hoodoo Rhythm Dogs" if you are in the Berkshires of Western, MA -- check us out at local clubs.
Name: Graham White Just discovering Sonny Boy's artistry, he must be about the best blues harp player of all time.
Name: Ed Lewand The first blues record I ever bought was Sonny Boy's 'The Real Folk Blues' way back around 1965 or66.
Name: Robert Slim Thanks for your music Sonny Boy ! Please check out the the reissue of the Storyville recordings on APO, they are great www.acousticsounds.com
Name: Frank Lupiani I thought I was familiar with the blues until I heard him play. He was brilliant.
Name: Jon Gindick / HARMONICA CENTRAL One of the thrills of my harp playing life was finding Sonny Boy's grave out behind that old church outside Tutwiler, Mississippi. This man was the blues, and one of those Spec. 20 "A" harps lying there at graveside is mine. Play on, Sonny Boy. Play on...and by the way this is a terrific website that I am proud to link to.
Name: Willy Bill this is a great site man, I want to thank you again for the pic of SBW on the Corn Meal sack and as soon as I get the tattoo I'll send a pic. Sonny Boy and this site are two of the best things to come out of America. :-o
Name: Coffein O Sonny, you are killing me on my feet....... Thank you for a great site! Mayby somebody can help me? I'm looking for a lyrics of Sonny Boy Williamson, it's so important for me! Help me! ANSWER: Check out the LINKS section of www.sonnyboy.com and you will find links to several lyric sites.
Name: Vic My favorite bluesman
Name: L. J. Wheeler Long live Sonny Boy!
Name: Gerardo "Mil Armσnicas Sam" Wuhl Go watch my web, listen to my music, and never forget that SonnyBoy II was the NΊ1. No one can play like him... Wish me luck !!! One day I wish I can have a web like this, dedicated to me !!! Long live to the Blues !!!!
Name: The Primer It's been a while and it's great to see how the site's developed. What a terrific resource about the great man. SBW has always been a favourite of the Primer, not least as a songwriter as well as a performer. Must do more on the Primer to recognise his talents - but then again, we already have a link to this site, which is really all you need!!
Name: Tom Cullen Cool site! Sonny Boy is the patron saint of the Bucks County Blues Society; founded in 1977, BCBS is the world's oldest continuously active blues society.The derby and harmonica are part of our logo, Tom Cullen, President
Name: jonatan Hello...I bought "Sonnyboy: The chess years" today for 450 swedish crowns. Thats ca 50 dollars. It΄s a 6-LP box and not a 4-CD box as written on this page...
Name: Darcy Sonny Boy will always be my favorite artist, the one and only harp master. It's so exciting for me to see other fans listed here who appreciate his musical contribution even half as much as I do. I am constantly introducing his music to friends. I collect as many CDs of his as possible and I am happy to see that a book on his life exists after having searched for years. Thank you for sharing this wonderful site!!!
Name: Joseph Moore Very well done website. One I turn to again and again.
Name: panttiheen Pay respect to the father of blues harp, I wish to follow him in rest of my life. It is really a pity that I can not find any of his Cds in China, anybody could help me?
Name: Blind dog Willy Got the name blind dog 'cause a the wimmin I used ta go wit...Rock on Sonny boy...you were and are my inspiration for playing the blues harp. Check out one of my favourite Canadian blues harp players...and blues bands at www.thesidemen.com . Also check out this site for some great links to other awsome blues bands. www.torontobluessociety.com
Name: The mustangs Sonny boy is the king of the blues
Name: richard Impressive + Informative Site - Bring it on Home
Name: alex miller (lucky coincidence) You've put together a terrific web site - keep up the good work, mate!
Name: alex miller (lucky coincidence) The man plays and sings through his soul........ You've put together a terrific web site - keep up the good work, mate!
Name: alex miller (lucky coincidence) The man plays and sings through his soul........ You've put together a terrific web site - keep up the good work, mate!
Name: Jean-Louis Pujol Congratulations for this particularly well-designed and well-documented site! The Storyville Sonny Boy Williamson record (with Matt Murphy, Willie Stepney and Memphis Slim, recorded in copenhagen) made bury myself into the Blues more than 20 years ago. Since that time I made every efforts on the harmonica to match SBW's style. Although I know this is impossible (according to my family), I persist. On your site, the messages sent after Dec 1999, are misdated 19100 for 2000 and 19101 for 2001. This is a funny mistake that Sonny would have had appreciated a lot, insofar as he spent his life cheating with is birth date. Please don't change anything !
Name: Dave Clotfelter Thank God for Sonnyboy!
Name: Jerry Sonny Boy is the king!
Name: ron just found your site. i saw Sonny Boy in 1963 and can still remember his short solo spot with just his harmonica and tapping his feet. I'll be back.
Name: Mick Wanda Words don't describe the brilliance of Sonny Boy II. You either get it or you don't. Sonny Boy captivated me 20 years ago and I have never met anyone in my city who is as touched by him as I was/am let alone heard of him. I would love to have a Sonny Boy festival and get together with like-minded people. Love him. Mick
Name: W L Brown PLEASE !! PLEASE !! Someone help put an old man out of his misery !! I taped a recording of Help Me from an FM station here in Toronto in (circa) 1966. I had "dubbed" it onto a couple of cassettes ; but; alas, I have lost ALL of my copies. It was an "electric" version and it sounded like either Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton playing lead. Is there a recording of this song out there ANYWHERE ?? PLEASE !! WLBrown@sympatico.ca I am an avid fan of S B W's and have 6 of his albums in my posession !! Can anyone help me ??!! Host: We determined this recording was "Help Me" by Alvin Lee and Ten Years After, his slow blues specialty.
Name: Billy Potter Enjoy his style of blues very much!
Name: Mitch Holdinghausen Don't Start Me to Talkin'
Name: pam 6 years ago I purchased the Chess re-release(2disc, Essential Sonny Boy Williamson). I've worn out both.Oh yes I've purchased more. So when will someone write the movie. The song titles alone make for a excellent store line, combine his own life style. What a block busster.The black actor who play in Get Shorty would be perfect as Sonny Boy. You seem the have neccessary history, Thanks for a excellent site. I stopped working 2 hours ago.
Name: stream bred love this site...cause Sonny boy was and still is "The Man"This years River City Blues Fest in Marietta, Ohio on Mar. 16,17&18,2001 is honoring SBW...check it out at www.bjfm.com Keep up the good work The organizers tell me that they have no special reason to believe that Sonny Boy was ever in Marietta. Does anyone know why they chose this site? Is there any connection?
Name: Danny Boy GREAT,I ENYOYED A LOT,THANKS..!
Name: K.Saitou Air check tape recording which is recorded in 1940's KFFA era exist? [Host: Only the 1965 recordings released as part of King Biscuit Time on Arhoolie Records.] We know Sonnyboy2 had often played harp for KFFA's program at that time(1941-1965). But now, we can listen his play in KFFA at that CD recorded in 1965(King Biscuit Time ,Arhoolie 310) only! Is there another recording for on air? Don't exist? [Sorry none have ever been unearthed.] Has any air check tape collector recorded "King biscuit time" as private recording at that time??? If it exist, I want to listen that private recording, Sonnyboy's Live performance at KFFA I imagine it must be unique recording that have influenced southern blues musician at that time.??? Good bye.
Name: Arnold Rypens How ironic to learn more about Robert Johnson on Sonny Boy's site. [Host: Why? They were close friends.] Will surely pay a visit to this Tallahatchee neighborhood while in MS soon. [Host: Then visit Glendora on the Tallahatchie River, which was his home town.]
Name: Blues World 2000 webmaster Great Site! if you get a chance check out Blues World2000
Name: Franky Bruneel Nice site and a pleasure for all harmonicafans. Greetings from Belgium and the staff of "Back To The Roots", the Belgian magazine for blues music. Check it out !
Name: Dan Axt Nice site. Sonny Boy was one of my first influences. I have had the good fortune to pay my respects to the master by visiting his grave site.
Name: Putnay Who doesn't love Sonny Boy?
Name: Dave Falash Just want to say that if you don't like Sonny Boy, then you don't like The Blues - period! Sonny, John Lee Hooker and The Wolf are Gods.
Name: bill cross superb site.Ifirst got on to the blues in 1965,at 15, when I heard SBW blowing "sonnys harmonic a boogie" on the Mike Raven R&B Show on BBC radio.Since then its only got BETTER AND BLUER.
Name: Thomas Denny Sonny Boy Williamson was one of the 'greats.'
Name: Teresa Buckley It is a shameful thing that the nation of Sonny Boy Williamson II's birth is still in the "top ten" of visitors to this site rather than #1. We should all be introducing our children to this legend, and keeping his music alive.
Name: Rolf Berschneider Sonny Boy, the greatest arp player ever. As little as I know. Too bad he is gone. RB Harper
Name: Johnny Jennings I was born and raised in Tutwiler,Mississippi. My dad bought ads on the King Buscit program that was broadcast from Helena Arkansas. Sonny Boy would come to Tutwiler to see my dad and he often talked the history about the Blues. He told me of the Railroad Depot in Tutwiler where W.C. Handy first heard the Blues. I'm sure that Sonny Boy was in the States around 1963, if only for a while. I saw him in Tutwiler, and he was talking about the Beatles, The Yardbirds, and other European groups. We talked about the death of Robert Johnson. He said that they had played the Blues alot. He told me that Robert Johnson did not die from posion. He said that everybody was drinking corn whiskey that was brought in from Casila, Ms. and that it made everybody sick at the "three forks" but Robert just kept on drinking and it killed him. The whiskey was loaded with lead from a BAD distilling job. A&E was here in Greenwood doing a story for "City Confidential" about the mystery behind his death. I shared my story with the program. It may play again. It was well done and held on the the power and soul of the Blues. Johnny Greenwood City Council Greenwood, Mississippi
Name: randy williams Checked in last January and I'm back again. Performed "Santa Claus" at the Hole in the Wall in Dallas last night with Hamhock Pete. Had 'em dancin' on the tables. When you're in the DFW area, look up Hash Brown, plays with Browntones on weekends, or find his jams. They're killer!
Name: Eric Brown Simply the best. Never get enough of the main man, Sonny Boy.
Name: blu stu Will be a regular visitor to the site topay homage to the greatest harp player ever!
Name: Joe Cumbo Listening to Sonny Boy play is a very humbling experience for a harp player.
Name: floyd GREAT WEBSITE. THE BEST. HOPING SOMEONE OUT THERE CAN HELP ME W/ A CDR OF SONNY BOYS RYTHM,DONT MAKE A MISTAKE AND SOME VIDEOS I DONT ALREADY HAVE. CONTACT IF YOU CAN HELP
Name: Darla Gay Smith Fessor: Any news on release of Eddie Campbell's new release on Rooster?? No luck in obtaining it 5 months ago.... Smiles, Darla Gay
Name: Darla Gay Hey Fessor Mojo, site looks terrific, needing to replace KEITH DUNN "Alone With The Blues" cd, any suggestions on a supplier for this cd from Holland? Smiles, Darla Gay
Name: Darla Gay Hey Fessor Mojo, site looks terrific, needing to replace KEITH DUNN "Alone With The Blues" cd, any suggestions on
Name: Paul Serrano Thanks for the awesome site 'fessor mojo! and to all the enlightened spread the word! (Patrice Champarou is blind). peace, Doctuerno
Name: Tom Marion SBWII is among the best in my short book on great harp players. Thanks a bunch Mr Donoghue.
Name: Dennis C. Crandall you are the best
Name: Tony (www.geocities.com/bummerroad) Hy again Bill. Sonny Boy is the Harmonica King and you are the ultimate SBW biographer.
Name: john shirley don't start me talking i'll tell everything i know.
Name: BERNADINE WOODWARD TRULY AMAZED, BOTH MY PARENTS WERE FROM MISSISSIPPI, I GREW UP LISTENING TO THE BLUES, MY FAVORITE SONG BY SONNY BOY WAS "HELP ME", MY PARENTS HAD THOSE OLD "45" VINYL RECORDS.
Name: ray brooks i'm amazed that you actually managed to put together anything from sonny boy's chequered (sic) history. as a harpist, sonny's my absolute hero. nice to be able to get some real info on him. keep it up. blues lovin'
Name: Robin Richardson I sincerely thank you for this site.
Name: Romano Ciao from Italy
Name: Mikey Law Aleck Miller was an ass and although he played well, he talked censored to the wrong people! John Lee would take #2 and tear him a new asshole!...Miller aint censored compared to John Lee in attitude and in playing. GOTTA LOVE THE CONTROVERSY! Peace, Love and Blues Mike Law
Name: pp Rare and Well done!.
Name: The Ancient One GREETINGS FROM THE ANCIENT ONE . MY COMPLIMENTS ON A GREAT SITE FOR A GREAT TALENT . I AM A PSYCHIC/METAPHYSICAL PRACTITIONER . I FOUND YOUR SITE INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING . THANK YOU .
Name: Woody Schmurgen Love the site. Nice to see Sonny Boy histort lives on. Check out our artist, Hatrack Gallagher. A Sonny Boy devotee Hatrack is one of the greatest harmonica cats anywhere. Check him out on our website or at his site: www.hatrackgallagher.com thanks for keepinf Sonny Boy alive.
Name: Bob Frank Great site! I was hoping, though, for a cut-by-cut discography and lyrics. Any plans for that in the future? Thanks for the great work keeping Sonny Boy's spirit alive.
Name: Rev.DeWayne Rap' GoLightly I've been a harmonica player since 71, and my main influence has been Lee Oskar, but over the years I've listened to Paul Butterfield, Jimmy Reed, and Sonny Boy. I really enjoyed the site. It's a great way to keep the flame burning. Be Blessed...Go
Name: BLUE EYED REX As a harp player, if you dont know Sonny, finding a groove will be almost impossible. He was and always will be the grandmaster. Awesome site!!
Name: Rob Carson It's great to know that others appreciate the blues enough to keep their memory alive
Name: Joseph Moore Sonny Boy II has always been one of my favorites
Name: Andrew Robinson Great site. We don't here much about the best blues harp player who ever lived here in culturally starved RSA!! Thanks for the great job.
Name: Vel Omarr Thanks for the Site about Sonny Boy Williamson! I invite you to visit my Rhythms and the Blues Page/s, and let me know what you think. Thanks!
Name: coen-cathy GREAT SITE!! I love his harp. I love led zeppelin.ZEP'S ROBERT PLANT loved SONNY BOY. So I knew SONNY BOY!! I still only listen to [DOWN AND OUT BLUES]. So I want to listen to other his sound. I am glad to meet this site. Thank you.
Name: Derek W. Brown Cool sight! I love Sonny Boy Williamson's music and lyrics. One of my all-time favorite Mississippi Delta/Chicago bluesmen. (I must give a little credit to Tony Glover; he wrote the blues harmonica tutorial book in which I read about Sonny Boy. Glover called Sonny Boy, along with Kenneth Patchen, on of "... the greatest poets..." I have to agree. I don't play much harp anymore, but I still play guitar. A few of Sonny Boy's tunes have been in my folk club set for years.
Name: Vel Omarr I almost forgot to sign in. I was busy enjoying your site! GREAT!
Name: Rippen Randy Man I wish I could play like Sonny Boy. Ripper
Name: Richard Flohil Yes, Professor, you're right! I now know more than anyone really needs to about Sonny Boy...you've got a marvellous site and your dedication is to be praised! And he was indeed a marvelous player, a walking contradiction, and a highly influential artist/ Kudos, too, to Chris Barber, the wonderful UK bandleader who had the savvy and the smarts (and the money and influence) to bring him to Britain in the first place. Chris Barber: Now THERE'S a man who doesn't get the credit he deserves for bringing the blues to Britain, and paving the way for the acceptance of blues in Europe, and helping create a whole new take on pop music....
Name: Mavis Love jazz in any form. BLessings the the FInest
Name: Madd Mike Been a fan of harp in general & Sonny Boy in particuler for well over 30 years & didn't know that Sonny Boy raised the great James Cotton until now.Sure explains a lot! This is a great site.
Name: gary sanders Eric Clapton/Yardbirds fan at the time; bought their album backing Sonny Boy Williamson on a tour of Europe--been a fan ever since. great web site!
Name: Steve Fuller Great site; a glowing tribute to the greatest harp player of them all and one of the twentieth centuries great poets.
Name: TANK BOND ME AND MY BUDDY MILO MET SONNY BOY AT THE WILL LEWIS CAFE IN 1959. SONNY BOY IS THE ULTIMATE.
Name: Tank Bond SONNY BOYS THE GREATEST ME AND MY BUDDY MILO SAW SONNY
Name: Tank Bond SONNY BOYS THE GREATEST ME AND MY BUDDY MILO SAW SONNY
Name: Don Hi Thank you for putting up this awesome site to an awesome Harp player. I'm listening to his all night song wow incroyable thanks Don
Name: george h. wallace i bought the sbw and the yardbirds years ago and pontiac blues is one of my all time favorites. i cant believe i've had that album that long. I'm 53 and still love the blues. sonnyboy on the web. it's great. best harp man there ever was.
Name: Carlos Que loco bro..I think this site is awesome.
Name: Renι de la Fonteijne prima website. heb me altijd afgevraagd waarom hij no. 2 was? hij verdient een eerste plaats.
Name: Patrice Champarou Been here too but I don't feel like staying very long ;) Cheers!
Name: Dawn Camp Sonny Boy will live in our hearts and souls forever never to be forgotten.
Name: Hal Great site about a GREAT harmonica player. I am looking for some place where I can get any videos of Sonny Boy in action.
Name: Roman Sonny Boy ask "Help Me" but he help all of us to sink into the blues. Regards to Blues Fans Over The World from Russia.
Name: Rachel Jackson Willy sent me and want to say thanks!!!!
Name: Dana Willy sent me!!!!!!
Name: Char Great Site!!!! Thank you!!! I am glad WILLY (onearmedwi) sent me:)
Name: Patty /Smile Willy (OneArmedWi@aol.com) sent me and I'm glad he did.
Name: Patty /Smile Willy (OneArmedWi@aol.com) sent me and I'm glad he did.
Name: susy h. sonny boy forever!!!!!!!
Name: George Hirvela cool site
Name: Stephen Boursy Excellent job--enjoyed the visit.
Name: Doris Willy (onearmedwi) and the blues were made to work for each other. Willy is a very talented man and his songs, words, music and also poems are right from his heart. I'd like to say that he would be an asset to the entertainment world right away if someone would just listen to him and give him a chance. He doesn't mention it, but from all the songs, music, poems, and writing he has sent me, he's a sure candidate for his talent. I know if someone would just look into his work, they would say the same thing I did. He just has to be heard and you surely have a winner on your hands. A man with many different talents for the entertainment world.
Name: Doris Willy (onearmedwi) turned me on to the blues, being a man with new ideas all the time. I personnaly think he should be heard. He would definitely be an asset to the entertainment world.
Name: Randy Pappenfort I grew up listening to Sonny Boy and Howlin' Wolf, nice to see someone has commemorated him like this.
Name: Pertti Nurmi No comments - I'm overwhelmed !!!
Name: Michael Huggins 'fessor Mojo,this is a fab website. I am looking forward to reading your book. Cordially, HamHock Pete
Name: Andy Barrowman Great site - just what I was looking for,info on the master. Thanks
Name: HipHarp Being from the home town of the father of the blues W.C.Handy and having my life enriched by him,I am pleased to play harp and become more proficient daily. My favorite is "Stormy Monday." I play with Iguana Party here locally some with Mary Morgan and have played once with Big Al and the Heavy Weights. The W. C. Handy festival begins the first Sunday in August and highlights National Talent. If anyone would like a weekly program sent please email me and I will forward a copy ow the week long event. Thanks May God Bless and may your harp always be by your side. Your Friend Hip Pocket (HIPHARP1@aol.com)
Name: Predrag Rabuzin I'm here in Crotia.We're got the blues here too. There is so much to lern. Thanks,Barry.
Name: Bruce Cole Very nice website. I'm interested in finding out what he was up to during his "Milwaukee years"
Name: Mark Hyland In May 1999, I visited the Delta/Memphis and paid a paid my respects at Sonny Boy, Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton's gravesites. It was an awesome trip.....
Name: joe holland sonny boy is still the best i have heard in all these years.
Name: jeff newsom Been playin a long time......since 1970 anyway. Listened to a lot of folks,Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy,Butter, Norton Buffalo,kim Wilson.As of late, Howard Levy. Played behind quite a few cats, Otis Rush, Holmes Bros, JJ Cale, Danko......... After all this time, and all this music, every time I hear Sonny Boy, he still knocks my dick in the dirt! Don't let it cool Sonny Boy!!!!!!!!!!!
Name: bobby kirk Grrreat site loved it
Name: Marek Fudala Thank you for so many information about SBW
Name: Joran Hermans greetings to all of you
Name: Snuffles I'm listening to Sonny Boy's beautiful music coming out of my PC's speakers right now. Thank you so much for a great site!
Name: Thomas Deimbacher What a beautiful site! Excellent done,every info you could ever dream of!I just wished more folks like you would be doing that..... Thanky you very much for this incredible job!
Name: Ron Campbell Best site I have found on one of my favorite bluesmen. Keep on wailin'!
Name: Pete Davies I've loved this man since I was 15years old (1963) and have been playing the harp ever since.I narrowly missed seeing him in the flesh in 1964 (Marquee Club) in London's Soho- and the pain is still there.
Name: Jay'bird'McKay Im trying to get information on the harps with the plastic coating on the teeth.Anybody know !!!!???.(suppose to create easier bending ).
Name: sonny boy schroeder I PLAY IN A BLUES BAND MAY THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN RS
Name: Jo Morley Wonderful site. You'ld give a site to the blind.(sorry) Love SBW, he always makes me smile. Jo
Name: enzo antonio cekada Hi there Professor. Just found your site while looking for some movie sessions. It's good to see Sonny's memory being kept alive and well by people like yourself. I'll just have a quick look now,but I'll be back and I'm gonna tell all my harmonica playing friends about your wonderful site. Keep up the good work and thanks for the music. Your friend for life. Enzo cokada
Name: Big Pete Sonny-Boy is and always will be the best. I'm a harmonica player myself in a band called Fake Deer at the Gas Station,and when I first heard Sonny-Boy blow harp, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Name: Rev. Jason Rudd Hey 'fessor, I took up the harp for my new years resolution, and signed up to recieve harp-l. That's where I saw you talk about your site. Great job! I have learned tons! What an interesting (although a bit strange) person Rice Miller was. Keep up the good work!!!
Name: The Primer Loved the man from my early days - he helped to turn a "deprived" English kid onto the music that I have loved all my life. So much so, I now run the Rhythm and Blues Music Primer site as some sort of thank you!!!
Name: MILES LADSON I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY TRUE SONNY BOY FAN. I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE MAN FROM MY UNCLE, HE TOLD ME IF WANTED TOO HEAR SOME REAL MUSIC LISTEN TO THIS. I'VE BEEN HOOKED EVER SINCE. KICKASS SITE. .
Name: Nate Taiapa I'm here in Aotearoa. We've got the blues here too. Drop us a line. Yeah, and Sonny Boy has got to be my best harp examplar.
Name: Aparicio Fernandes For me he is the Best harp player of Blues of all times!!!
Name: Frank Black Just returned from Mississippi and visited Sonny Boy's grave and I must tell you, tears sprang to my eyes...So emotional I got while looking at his grave. Please everyone, go to Mississippi and seek his grave, and stand there for a few hours, not minutes, and yes, my high school days, in Alabama, and the seeing of him two or three times in the years then, I won't forget, and by the way....go and see Robert Johnson's grave...well worth a trip.
Name: big pete sonny boy is absolutely the king(and i dont mean biscuit!') I really dig his whiny type sound........groovy.
Name: George B. Thomas As a harp player, I can't imagine life without Sonny Boy Williamson II. As a DJ I can't imagine a Holiday show (Santa Claus) sans the man either. It's been a "Mighty Long Time" since I've heard anyone as moving. (not excepting Little Walter, Sonny Terry, Big Walter Horton, Jerry Portnoy, et.al.) Thanks for a great site, brings Eyesite to the Blind.
Name: Alex Tarneller You got to help me, I can't do it all by myself! SBW is far more than an inspiration...
Name: Kurt Rightmyer Interesting site. Thanks for the harp tips.
Name: Ron Cass I first became acquainted with Sonny Boy by accident. I had traded some records with a friend (1956)you know (Bill Haley,Carl Perkins), and thought I had got ripped because he slipped a few of his dad's records in the bunch..until I played them one was John Lee Hooker and the other was Sonny Boy Williamson "Don't start me to Talkin, I'll tell every think I know" MAN!!!Knocked me out!! I've been hooked ever sence, that tone from that harp, and the vibrato in his voice. it was so real.. As a musician for almost forty years, I have never heard anyone get close to his sound, and almost never that fealing.It is a shame that a gift like that can't live on forever...or maby it does......
Name: Duncan Mclean This guy's playing reaches your very soul. Timeless classics by the undisputed master of the blues harp !!!
Name: eli husock I think the site is great. I'm a harp player, who thinks Sonny Boy is all you need to listent to. I don't like the emphasis of this site on the Chess/Checker stuff, though it's certainly not as good. The Trumpet sides rank with some of the best blues ever recorded. Also anyone who says Little Walter is the king of blues harp, has never heard Sonny Boy play, he's ten times the lyricist and 50 times the player!
Name: MICHAEL GWYNNE AHHHHH, SONNY BOY, WE HARDLY KNEW YA! I WAS IN MY "ONE ROOM LONELY CABIN" IN A FREEZE-ASS TOWN IN CANADA IN 1960 WHEN I CAME ACROSS A CHECKER SIDE CALLED "LONESOME CABIN." I AIN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE. I GOT INTO RADIO DOWN IN NATCHEZ MISSISSIPPI IN 1964 AND THOUGHT I COULD PLAY DIS censored WITH APLOMB! I WAS WRONG! THEY RAN MY ASS OUT OF TOWN RIGHT QUICK. SPECIALLY A WHITE BOY PLAYING THE BLOOZE DOWN THERE TOO. TOOK MY "GOODY BOX" TO MOBILE AND THE SAME DAMN THING HAPPENED. TRAVELLED TO MONTEREY CALIF AND HONOLULU PLAYING THE MUSIC ON MY RADIO SHOWS AS A TOP-40 DJ ALA JOHN R. I USED A LOTTA NAMES IN A LOTTA TOWNS...MY MY MY, WHAT A THRILL TO COME ACROSS THIS PAGE ESPECIALLY AFTER I JUST GOT BACK 1 HOUR AGO FROM BUYING THE LAST RECORDING SONNY BOY EVER MADE IN '65 IN THE UK. BAD RECORDING, GOOD MUSIC. I WANT MY CHESS-CHECKER SIDES BACK!! THANKS MAN, LEMME KNOW WHAT'S HAPPNIN' WHEN IT HAPPENS!
Name: Bill Flanagan WOW!! Great site! I've been playing harp about 20 yrs. and am amazed by how much I don't know.I'll be back.
Name: N C Junker-Poulsen What a great site! Very informative in just about everything I need to know about Sonny Boy and easy to get around. What more can I ask for? Just one question. Would you either tell me, who's the R. Bass who co-wrote Help Me with Sonny Boy? The best from N.chr. Junker-Poulsen. And keep up the good work.
Name: BRIAN BENTHAM have been a fan for 35yrs. What a great find on the net. Keep up the great work
Name: Barry Pickell Wow Bill, I have been meaning to come to this site for a long time. I just got a computer good enough to handle it. I will have to come back often. there is so much to learn. Thanks, Barry
Name: Iain Christie I always loved the Blues, but recent attempt to try to play harp has pulled me on to Sonny Boy with a vengeance ! Not only is he superb, he's the first bloke to challenge Bob Dylan, in my head and eardrums, in 25 years. Can anyone give me any tips on vibrato, & slurring ?
Name: Raymond Purdy A fine site in honor of a fine harp player.
Name: Ronny Verbruggen Very nice site 'bout a superb bluesmusician.
Name: ANTONIO CARLOS CABRERA "My comments to brazilians visitors" (in portuguese). Este ι o site oficial de Sonny Boy Williamson, mantido pelo maior especialista na histσria desse mito do blues mundial, Bill Donoghue. Sonny Boy foi e ι o maior gaitista da histσria da blues mundial, tendo influenciado vαrias geraηυes de mϊsicos ao redor do mundo. Foi mentor de James Cotton e padrinho de B.B. King, Fenton Robinson, Walter Horton entre outros. Sonny tinha um timbre inigualαvel e uma maestria de um gκnio que se tornou maior que o proprio instrumento. Nos anos 60, Sonny fez fama na Inglaterra, tocando com gente como Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, The Animals,Chris Barber e muitos outros novatos que se aventuravam pelo mundo do blues e engatinhavam nos palcos de Londres ou Baden-Baden. Sonny foi um rei no seu tempo.
Name: Darla Gehres Great site for any harp, blues player and definitely one for those who love the deep, soul, persuasion of original "blues." I am a aspiring woman harp player and I have a "few" more years of the living the blues before I can even touch Sonny's sound. Maybe I will be blessed with the magic of his blues from above. I am trying to find out if there are any women who has played the harp with any vitality.
Name: WILLY It's me again y'all! Just wanted to tell you I got a homepage, it's http://members.aol.com/onearmedwi Happy New Millenium y'all!!!! :)
Name: Sara Lee Owen I am looking for a tee-shirt with Sonny Boy Williamson tipping his hat. Saw it on a friend in Florida last summer. Anybody out there know where I may order one, please email me. You'll be my friend for life.
Name: "Delta" Frank Black I am very lucky to be the proud owner of every "Checker" 45 RPM record he recorded, and many of his original 33 1/3 Albums. In 1957, I was a freshman in high school in Alabama, and was able to buy his records. I have always thought he was and still is the finest harp player the Lord put on this earth. God Bless Sonny Boy Williamson, I shall cherish every record of his, until I die. I was lucky enough to see him in concert twice in Alabama along with other "Chess" artists as a youngster in Grammar School and High School.
Name: "Big Boss" Beaver Thanks for your excellent site. I think one of the turning points in my lifewas discovering a copy of Sonny Boy's Trumpet recordings when in high school many years back. Despite wearing out three of these albums and hundreds of harps, his style and delivery still elude and amaze me. Long live the Goat!
Name: gary lemasters I am fortunate to own to Storyville LPs of Sonny Boy and the Vogue Anthologie du Blues Vo. 6, Sonny Boy and Memphis Slim, live at the Blue Bar in Paris, December 1, 1963, which contains "Getting Out of Town" played on the large Horner Marine Band in C. The best blues song I have ever heard.
Name: Mikey Soulon Man this site is tha bomb!-im so glad it was created...Rice typified the acoustic blues experience. Playing with cupped hands and not giving a damn how loud it was. He ripped. His voice was even MORE amazing...That vibrato in his voice tells him apart from anyone else...by the way, "One Way Out" was not only an Elmore James song (To:Allman Brothers Band)it was a Rice Miller song as well!---Buy his CDS everyone and have a blast!....Blues Forever!-------Mikey
Name: John Rossi Yeah...great site. My two favorite things:blues and history. Sonny Boy II was a part of both!!! Thanx for helpin keep him alive!!! j
Name: Rkt88 His harpin',his singin',his lyrics,he had it all covered.No one will ever take his place.Bring It On Home Sonny.
Name: WILLY THE ONE ARMED HIPPY SONNY BOY, My main piece of change!! 5 yrs ago I was shopping for Blues CDs and I found a used copy of Bummer Road, with a parental advisory label on it? The price was right, $4, so I bought it. I played "Little Village" over & over again, Sonny yelling at Leonard Chess still cracks me up!! I thought I can play harmonica, like Sonny Boy! Duh! Anybody interested can see my Tribute to Sonny Boy By Willy in "Instant Poems" at Instant Poet on aol.com. Great site!!! sometimes people ask me why I tell 'em all, because the Blues ain't died! :l
Name: PJ Eastman I love Sonny BOY!!!!!
Name: Eli Husock The Trumpet Sides are the best blues ever recorded, every song is killer, Sonny Boy is the greatest!!!!!!!
Name: john williams bend um hard,, them bend them some mo,,
Name: Hans Kreisle If you can't dig Sonny Boy's harp, you can't dig no harp at all. FROM THE BOTTOM !!!!
Name: BOB HODGE IF YOU CAN'T BEND A NOTE, YOU AIN'T censored.
Name: howie ginnell HELP ME !!
Name: TIMMY ROSS YOUR SITE IS THE BEST JUST LIKE SONNYBOY IS THE BEST. I first discovered sonnyboy about 30yrs ago when someone gave me an old record of his -"One way out." That record changed my life and the life of every one who listened to it. I still have it and many more. SONNY BOY IS DEAD AND GONE BUT NOBODY COULD PLAY THE HARP THE WAY THAT HE DONE!!!!
Name: Allen Stratyner Bill, Thank you for this wonderful site, and all your effort to preserve the legacy of this amazing master! I recently received a video tape containing film footage from the early 60's of Rice Miller when he played on German TV. It was a gas to actually see how he shaped the tones with those big hands,and to witness him playing, "Bye Bye Bird" on the 364 with his amazing sense of timing. On this film, Sonny Boy played with great musicians like Memphis Slim, Matt Murphy, Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, and Willie Dixon, but I know he sometimes played in Europe with guys who could hardly get through the changes. I always wondered if he reserved that big percusive Echo Vamper or 364 for those occasions; so he would not be inhibited by the weak accompaniment. He sure could make those big reeds shake and moan. All the best, Allen
Name: Joe Pusateri AKA Sloppyjoe Great Site!!!!!!
Name: Nam Tran Great site. It does justice to the memory of Sonny Boy. It's is a testament to his greatness that 35 years after checkin' out, people like me are still influenced by his work. Keep up the good work on this site.
Name: Mark Gelsthorpe An excellent site; well done. What would life be like without harmonica and the man himself, Sonny Boy Williamson?
Name: colin laws Great site. If only I could play 10% as good as Sonny Boy I'd be happy. What a man ,,what a player, Time to go need the practice. Email me if you like.
Name: Peter Doyle Cream led me to Eric Clapton,then the Yardbirds and finally on to this genius of the blues. I like harp players, almost all of them, but this guy is the Daddy of them all. When I listen to him I can almost see the twinkle in his eyes. His semi-autobiographical lyrics and sense of mischief reveal him as an acute observer of the human condition. Long after I'm gone this guy will still be bringing enjoyment to millions with his blues. I often ponder why he deemed it necessary to steal the other guy's name, he was a much finer player, showman and entertainer. His blues will never die, he has achieved immortality. It's sad that he did'nt live long enough to reap the rewards which he so justly deserved.
Name: eufemiano s.amillategui my deep recognaizement for this master. when going back trackin' the fountains, the roots,...you find most of the ideas just in the soul and the mind of this incredible musician. cheerio!,..."like wolf"!
Name: Richard Watson I have just come across this site after looking through the Hohner site links. What a joy to know that it exists. I rate the man as the joint numero uno of the blues harp players along with Sonny Boy 1. I will definately tell everyone about this sight. Keep up the good work and God bless you.
Name: primordial slim Sonny Boy Williamson was, is, & always will be a towering country colossus. The treatment he gave the 3hole draw on an F harp alone chills all big-eared folk to the bone. I just know that big rude buddha is entertaining somewhere even now. bless you, Mr Goat.
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Name: James Godley Man could he play! I love his music,and would like to know where to start at collecting his music.
Name: Randy Hamrick Sonny Boy's playing was poetry. Often sparce always heart-felt and sheerly emotional. You site is a great tribute and honor to his memory.
Name: K.Saitou Nice web site! I like his harp playng. By the way. Please tell me exactly how tall is Sonny Boy Wiliamson ,if anyone know. I often check his episode in various book or film. I guessed his height was very tall. It had made great impact to audience. Good bye. Note from 'fessor Mojo: Rice Miller was about 6'2", had huge hands to make that wonderful echo chamber and siz 14 shoes. He was normally about 220-240 lbs.
Name: Shane Loftus Nice one! Who would have thought he'd have his own website, certinly not him!
Name: John "Silent Jim" Peters Great site !
Name: Jeff Eidson Great web site! I really enjoyed it'
Name: Shaun Mather What a great site. It's something all the legends should have. The first song I played in my first ever car was "Fattening Frogs For Snakes" - the cars long gone but the tape ain't. Keep up the good work.
Name: joel foy Great stuff here. Never forget my first listen to "Mighty Long Time." Only Sonny Boy could have come up with a tragi-comic lyric like "I go to eat my breakfast in the morning, and my teeth and tongue begin to fight." That's one unsettled character. Then he turns around and writes "Santa Claus." Unbelievable comedy, irony, mystery, and musical instincts all in one artist. Greetings to all from the deep, deep south.
Note from 'fessor Mojo: Actually, Sonny Boy was such an alcoholic that he could not keep food down in the morning until he had had a drink or two. Until that drink his "teeth and tongue" did begin "to fight."
Name: wayne tenhet I remember King Bisquit Time,,being from helena,,and growing up in the late 50's and early sixties..it's hot down there''''Paul Harvey was on kffa..and Bill was the disk jockey..bought a few guitars at Gist's music...graduated from Central High in 1970...i remember the posters,,big yellow one's..i think Clarksdale Miss. is where the blues clubs were....don't remember any in Helena..blues festival is great in helena........don't miss it'''hot club's near Helena,then, Delta Supper Club in West Helena and Conway Twitty's place 'at Moonlake miss... i do remember Yazoo street on saturday afternoons....seems as though everyone had a guitar....and a beer in hand''''''''
Note from 'fessor Mojo: Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins) was from Helena and his band (and Levon Helm of The Band) as well practiced on Peck Curtis' drum in the King Biscuit Time studio at KFFA. Mr. Jenkins, Conway's father worked on the ferry boat from Mississippi.
Name: Rockin' Jake Looking forward to seeing you this weekend at the Glendora Harp Summit workshop. Keep up the good work on your website. Rockin' Jake
Name: Hank Jackson ...super web site! I Grew up in Birmingham, Alabama listening to WJLD Radio out of Bessmer, Alabama. Hearing SBW's harmonica brings back memories. Again, great web site...I'll continue to be a frequent visitor. hank
Name: SOUTHSIDE JERRY IT'S NICE TO GET SURPRISED ABOUT INFO ON SOMEONE YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT. K.O.P. AND PLEASE LOOK FOR INFO ON OTHERS. I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO WORK W/CATS THAT NEVER RECOREDED AND SHOULD HAVE. THAT IS A LOSS THAT CAN NEVER BE FOUND. I JUST FOUND SOME OLD LP's OF JAMES BROWN(PRE-FUNK DAYS) I KNEW THEY WERE OUT THERE, I JUST NEVER HEARD THEM BEFORE. WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE........I'LL LEAVE THAT UP TO YOU AND YOUR CAPABLE HANDS!
Name: TT White Killer pages! Razor tunes! Good luck from Kentucky!
Name: Tony Its great to se such interest in such great music When i started listening to Rice Miller I couldnt even get albums in this country. Things are getting better. Hope this page expands further.
Name: Clair DeLune Nice page... and you have a good book about SBWII! I teach blues history and host the Blues Moon with Clair DeLune (weekly blues radio show -- since 1990!). Impressed with your dedication to this page...
Name: Ricky Cool Sonny Boy is one of the main influences on my harmonica playing, particularly the acoustic albums he recorded on the Delmark [actually Storyville/Alligator] label whem he toured Britain and Europe in the 1960's. I never got to see him live, but I am a close friend of a guy who worked as his minder while he was in Birmingham. He bought for Sonny Boy some shirts from a local outfitters, also a briefcase for his harps. Sonny Boy gave him a 12 hole Hohner 365 in Eb, which he still has. Great web site. I'm sure I'll visit again. Best wishes to all fellow Sonny Boy fans.
Name: eric The blues got a hold on me.
Name: graham cann I work in a bakers. Can anyone in the US send me some Sonny Boy corn meal ? Any replies gratefully received. Great site . Keep up the good work.
Name: tom moran rice miller its king biscuit time.i wish!
Name: WAYNE HEMMERICH I ain't going to spend no more lonely night. 9 below zero these are my favorites of SBW Songs belives that he is one of the first hard rockers
Name: Bridget L. Moore Sonny Boy Williamson is a true soul writer, and listening to his deep routed classics is nourishing to life!
Name: Jim Graham There couldnt be a better use of the internet than to expose others to the deepest part of the soul of man, as exemplified by Sonny Boy, Amos Milburn, and true blues miracles.
Name: Adrian Lee What a wonderful tribute to such an all-time great! I love the music of Sonny Boy Williamson and have collected his records for years. As you will already know, he made a huge impact in Great Britain in the early '60's and even though I was not born at the time I was attracted instantly to the sound of the Sonny Boy harp. I hope that this great site can also help shed further light on his mysterious origins and whether any material was recorded prior to his Trumpet debut. Good luck and thanks.
Name: Steve SBW rules.I can't seem to listen to anything but Sonny Boy. Nobody can play the harp quite like him.People don't talk that much about his voice because his harp playing was so great but what a voice he had. Man,I love that cats music.
Name: Jack H. Picard Yessss!! I'm hopin' that this site will remove some of the mystery of S.B.W. 2. What a find!!!!!!!!!!
Name: Brian shaw love the blues
Name: Maj I am thrilled to find this url and all this info on someone I have enjoyed for years.....I love the harmonica and Sonny was and still is the best. Keep up the great work.....Love It
Name: Rosemary McKenzie Fantastic tribute toa great blues musician
Name: Roxana What can I say... SBW makes me hot. Thanks for a fun website.
Name: Slawek Wierzcholski I have always been a big fan of Sonny Boy! I am glad I was able to learn more about my hero from your site. I am professional harmonica player and I owe much to Sonn Boy for my style is built around his style. My second big influence is Charlie Musselwhite... If you are interested in blues from Poland, please e-mail me. Harmonically yours, Slawek
Name: MARK LARZELERE YOUR WEBSITE RULES...SONNYBOY IS THE BEST AND ALWAYS WILL BE.......KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Name: Tim Moody Thanks for the most thouroughly researched Sonny Boy stuff I ever read. I think Kenny Blue Ray and I feel the same way, "You the man"! Tim Moody, Former Editor of MississippiSaxophone
Name: Tom Great site with interesting details! Best regards, Tom
Name: Claire Williamson This site is great! I have only known a few of his songs but now I know record titles I can find out more.
Name: Colin Walkington I am absolutely amazed at the detail on this sight. Well done team. Re SBW and the YARDBIRDS Recorded live at the Crawdaddy Club, my particular copy is not mentioned. My LP is on Philips 6460 160, this may just be peculiar to NZ.
Name: Mathew "blow , cat , blow" Hanson Mathew, age 20 preaches: Sonny Boy is God. No joke. If ya don't catch me, listen to "Cool Disposition"(Chess), "Nine Below Zero" (Chess), "Mighty Long Time" (Trumpet/Arhoolie), "Close To Me" (Chess) and tell me otherwise!! Little Walter aint got nothin' on ole' Rice!!
Name: Kenny "Blue" Ray Sonny Boy II Rules, we do a lot of hios tunes on Gigs and I loved him, actually learned some Guitar stuff from one of his Guitarists, The Late Luther Tucker. We just did Unseen Eye on our new one, a Great tune Blues Always, Kenny "Blue" ray
Name: Patrick Reisz Listen to blues music and wash your ears from all the dirty music you can hear on the radios. A day without blues is like a day without bread
Name: Van der Heyden Sven I am 17 years old, and I listen a lot to Blues music. My favorite instrument is the bluesharp witch I also try to play.
Name: harmonica slim would like to find more lyrics on sonny boy 2
Name: stephan harmonica slim mcrae cant live without the blues
Name: irms cool
Name: Paul Jansen Just found your site,looks great
Name: Billy R. Mitchell Just found you via Discoveries and really like the site.I was a soda jerk at Mcrees drug store in the 40's and used to deliver sodas to KFFA on Sat. mornings.Spent a lot of time in the studio during the King Biscuit show and got to know Sonny Boy,Peck Curtis & Mr. 5X5, Taylor, real well. Sonny Boy bought me my first bottle of booze(which he also shared).Believe Drifting Slim and Baby Face Turner were members of the group from time to time.Keep digging.
Name: Barry S Campbell Has always been my favorite;perfect,basic blues harmonica
Name: Geoffrey Brown Great Stuff. I just finding out about the blues at 49.
Name: CraftyDawg The man was simply, genius. Thank You
Name: Alex M P. This is a great site to the Sonny Boy Williamson fans around the world
Name: Northa Turner Great site keep up the good work.
Name: Dan Gaut If music is about the groove. Then Sonny Boy was music personified. The site is great. As a long time lover of the man and his music I really got off checking it out. The tribute to Lillian McMurry was most wonderful and deserved. Keep up the good work!
Name: Adam Odell "I'm the only Sonny Boy; I'm THE Sonny Boy;there ain't no other one but me." You Rocked Sonny. Thanks! "Cornmeal and King Biscuit Show."
Name: john-david lucas sonny and vliet......GODS Ive heard GOD!
Name: Donald Katalenic The site is great. Please, send me lyrics to any of Sonny Boy' songs. Thank you in advance. Long live the Blues!
Name: gary i dig the site! i'm sitting here playing my 'the chess years' box set while surfin' for info on sonny boy!
Name: David Thurston As a long-time admirer of Sonny Boy, imagine my surprise when I was visiting Stackhouse Records in Clarksdale a couple of years ago again and an elderly woman entered the shop.She said she wanted to visit Sonny Boy's grave and asked Jim O'Neill to take her there. Well, it turned out to be Lillien McMurry on her way back from Memphis where she had received a WC Handy award. My wife and I tagged along and found the grave site (laden with harmonicas and whiskey bottles as heartfelt tributes) where she had originally furnished the headstone outside of Tutwhiler, Miss. She regaled us with Sonny Boy stories, we took lots of photos and basked in this historic event for us. A truly memorable experience.
Name: Krabbe That man Sonnyboy turned my jazz ears onto blues too when I first heard, mead, interviewed and partied with him in a small danish village back in the sixties. A week ago I broadcasted a radio programme with only his music & songs and could'n't help dreaming of the days 35 years ago. I to day found you - It's a heavy site, very informative.
Name: jerry walk just took some lessons boy do i have a lot to learn
Name: Sandra Dunbar Really dig the web site! I play bass in a band that performs, among a lot of other stuff, a generous amount of Sonny Boy material. The harp player in the band is Shakin Smith, who has been playing for over 30 years. Shakin Smith idolizes Sonny Boy and began learning the Sonny Boy style when he was a little kid. If you ever get a chance to hear Shakin Smith and His Blues Band from the Buffalo, New York area, I encourage you to do so.
Name: Sandi Sallings Great tribute to Sonny Boy! Informative and interesting- Thanks for putting it out here and keeping the legacy of Sonny Boy going strong!
Name: john carr Sonny Boy is my favorite Chess songwriter. He can be funny and he can be cold (see "Your Funeral, My Trial"), and he gets the details right. Good to see a site dedicated to his artistry.
Name: JON M. HOPSON I love the harp, I have listened to many bluesharp players, but Sonnyboy is my main man.
Name: Carl "Big Papa" Mims Great website!! No one else like Sonnyboy!!!!
Name: Brad Miller Sonny Boy deserves all this praise and so much more. He was an original, dependent on no one. Long live his legacy!
Name: charles "sweetwater" gidcumb hi,Bill glad to see some new stuff .hope to see mo
Name: ANTONIO "TONY" C. CABRERA Hi Bill. I`m sad because Mrs. Lillian is died. I try to call her last week, but the conection was difficult. I put one information in my website about this. best wishes
Name: Sabine Wow! I just found this SBW site this afternoon, and what a welcome respite it provided! I felt connected to the music I love, which was wonderful. I often feel alone in my love for Blues, living in a college town. Thank you for the wealth of information here and for the time and effort you have put into it. I will be stopping by periodically from now on. Thanks again for helping to keep the Blues alive!
Name: J.J.Milteau Thanks for your great work about SBW, one of the most interesting artist of the dying XX° century. We all agree about the power of "Mighty long time" and I feel a special recognition for Mrs Mc Murray these days. H@rmonicalement. J.J.Milteau
Name: Kirk Rusch I am just really getting into the blues and I've heard different artists playing the harp on really cool songs. Sonny Boy Williamson II is the best I've heard so far and I love the way he plays the harp.
Name: Martin I am looking for lyrics and notes to sonnys music. Sonny is the best on the harp. I tip my hat to this home page. I wish could drink a bottle of whiskey with SONNY .
Name: ordie branham I have the blues channel on tv behind me and sonnyboy in front of me and now it 3am. my how time does fly when you're having fun . many thanks.. great work
Name: John Crosse Absolutely great web site! I dusted off my Sonny Boy CD (Down and Out Blues) which I'm now listening to while I'm reading his bio in All Music Guide to the Blues. Keep up the good work and keep the Blues alive!
Name: Bill Garrett Very cool site and excellent resource! Thank you!
Name: Phil Dearborn Great page. Thanks for the thrill.
Name: RAYMOND MORENO JR NICE SITE FOR MY MAN "SONNY BOY" - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! I'DE LIKE TO SEE SOME VINTAGE VIDEO -CLIPS IN THE FUTURE. (IF POSSIBLE) I'M ALSO CURIOUS IF ANYONE HAS PUBLISHED A BOOK EXCLUSIVELY WITH SONNY-BOYS "LICKS?"
Name: "Yardbird" Castro Sonny Boy deserves this great web site. Thanks!
Name: Torbjorn Samuelsson Really Fine web sides about this great bluesman.When I heard him for the first time in the mid. sixties on the Swedish radio he changed my music life forever, a very happy moment. Thank you Sonny Boy!!!
Name: Philip Hewett and you do this for free ..... good on ya.
Name: sandi This is one of the most informative pages on the web concerning Sonny Boy--I will definetly be watching for updates and enjoying every minute of reading! As a true blues fan I can say from the heart...thanks for the hard work and dedication that has gone into all of this research!
Name: Henry Jackson I've listened to Sonny Boy Williamson's recordings while growing up in Birmingham, Alabama over radio station WJLD's Atomic Boogie Hour, out of Bessmer, Alabama during the late forties and earlies fifties. Many musicians make claim to the title of "best harmonica player" but it's apparent they've never heard Sonny Boy Williamson's recordings. "It don't git no better"!
Name: Tony w/Wolves Great site. Living the BLUES.
Name: Jim Seitz No comments.
Name: Todd Greene Excellent site! It's nice to see a much-deserved tribute to one of my favorite influences! Keep it up!
Name: 'fessor Mojo RADIO 1 NORWAY SPECIAL Special offer to listeners to Magne Blues Boy Storlψkkens Radio 1 Norway show: "Don't Start Me To Talkin'" my book on the life of Sonny Boy Williamson II, can be obtained by FAX from 010-1-508-478-8740 / $20.00US total / VISA/MC orders only. Mail orders may be mailed to The Donoghue Group, Box 309, Milford MA 01757 USA. Offer expires 2/15/99
Name: Magne Blues Boy Storlψkken I have a weekly radio show on Sundays from 7 to 10 pm, and SBW2 is one of my most featured artists! Great web-site, great bluesman. Yours, Magne Storlψkken Radio 1
Name: Randy Williams Mike Morgan of Dallas TX gave me my first guitar lessons and told me to find some Sonny Boy and listen to the licks. I listen everyday and have the Essential Sonny Boy double cd and never(!) get tired of listening. I'm trying to work up an act now, and will include several of my favorites. All through this Christmas season, I listened to Santa Claus and performed it at a few jam sessions in DFW. I'm an older guy, and when I was a kid in the 60's we got a kick out of The Little Village. I plan to do a lotta research on SBW through sites like this one. Really love the older guys and have seen a lot of them at Antone's in Austin in the late 70-s and early 80-s. God Bless Sonny Boy!!!
Name: 'fessor Mojo Chris Strachwitz, the photographer is the owner of Arhoolie Records in El Cerrito CA (near Oakland). I don't know if he will sell you a photo but it is on the cover of King Biscuit Time, Arhoolie CD 310 along with other photos from that shoot.
Name: Tom Hazeltine Really great tribute to the master poet. I love the Helena photo taken by Chris Strachwitz. Any idea where he's located and if that picture is available for purchase? I'd love to buy one...Tom
Name: 'fessor Mojo "KEEP IT TO OURSELVES" IS BACK ON THE STREET In the past two years, to get a copy of "Keep It To Ourselves," which is basically "The Best of the Storyville Sessions" from 1963, Sonny Boy's first real "album" that was not a collection of singles, you had to buy the $30+ 24 Carat Gold Limited Edition from Analogue Productions. This fine album which was at one time available as Alligator 4787 (Alligator lost their license) is not available at $15.98 on Storyville 4167 from Roots & Rhythm 888-ROOTS-66 and other fine dealers. Given how the original Storyville Recordings were distributed among their original two alblums, the logical complement to this is their Blues Masters Vol. 12, which has not only the "Rest of the Storyville Recordings" but Erik Host's rare EP's four Sonny Boy home recordings and the soundtrack of the Gazelle Productions film "Sonny Boy Williamson" which is the only film of Sonny Boy currently available in the USA. Just wanted you to know that one of my favorite Sonny Boy albums, one which shows his renewed potential post-Chess, is available at reasonable prices once again.
Name: 'fessor Mojo THE STORY BEHIND "HELP ME" AND "BYE BYE BIRD" Attached is a Blues-L answer I wrote which ought to be shared with sonnyboy.com readers. "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs was released on Volt in 1962 and later that year re-released on Stax. "Help Me" was "written" by Ralph Bass and Sonny Boy Williamson and recorded on 1/11/63. Sonny Boy died on May 25,1965. It hit the R&B charts on 4/6/63 and remained for 4 weeks peaking at #24. It was probably this hit recording that encouraged Willie Dixon to invite Sonny Boy to join him, Muddy and others on the 1963 American Folk Blues Festival tour in September of that year.That was Sonny Boy's big break and lead to the outstanding Storyville and Live in Europe recordings plus the dates with the Animals, Yardbirds (Clapton's debut recorded solo), and Jimmy Page. Ironically, when Sonny Boy was in Europe, his theme song was an outstanding solo version of "Bye Bye Bird" by Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy Williamson, the flip side of "Help Me" (recorded on the same day). I suspect that Bass and Dixon added their names to the recording as Sonny Boy did not share authorship on many of his songs. This was late in his career and maybe he didn't think he had the clout or they did it without his knowledge. In 1966, the year following Sonny Boy's death, Junior Wells' feature on the 1966 AFBF tour was "Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson", which is, of course, "Help Me." Yes, the lyrics are interesting. He was much more profound elsewhere, however. The RIFF, however, is contagious and we were talking about Essential Blues Tunes to knock an audience on its collective asses. Thanks for giving me the chance to tell this story. 'fessor Mojo Host, www.sonnyboy.com
Name: Cookie Mariano FESSOR, THANK YOU very much for all the great research you have done. I find Sonny Boy one of the most intriguing of the older Blues Artist. I just joined Blues-L last week. I just can't get enought of it. I have been a singer most of my life, but only starting singing Blues for the last 9 years. So I have been reading everything I could get to learn more. Now that I have the computer, it's like a whole new world opened for me.That is thanks going to you and people like you for your love and devotion of the Art of The Blues. If I confront you with some, what you might think is some really lame questions, I am really lookinf for info. Thank You again.......Mamablues1
Name: 'fessor Mojo Timmy You are right, "A Mighty Long Time" is one of the finest blues Sonny Boy Williamson II ever recorded. It can be found on the "King Biscuit Time" CD, Arhoolie 310 which includes the sides he recorded with Trumpet Records including the only live recording of King Biscuit Time (on CD only) and the original of Elmore James' "Dust My Broom" with Sonny Boy on harp. Although he re-recorded several of his songs on Chess, he did not re-record this one. See below for a copy of Lillian McMurry's (Trumpet Records co-founder) acceptance speech when she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame last November in which she tells the story behind this fascinating and unique recording. 'fessor Mojo Lillian McMurry's Acceptance Speech when inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame 11/9/98 This is an unbelievable trip!! John Glenn is not the only one who has been in orbit. Thank you. Thank you all. It's a great honor to be recognized by my peers in the music business and by the Blues Foundation for recordings done my be for Diamond Record Company's Trumpet label of great artists such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Love, Big Joe Williams, Southern Sons Quartette, Elmore James and Jerry McCain. Those artists deserve most of the credit for this honor. No one receives such an outstanding award without the support of good people, good artists and outstanding musicians. I'm no public speaker. I'm kinda like an old artist named John, who said when he was just a young man; he went to church one Sunday, got religion and joined the church. Immediately the preacher called on John to stand up and lead in prayer. John was shocked! He shook and stammered and bowed his head. Finally, he looked heavenward and cried "OOOOH Lord, I wish I hadn't joined this church. Amen." There were times I've wished I hadn't joined the record business, especially when I couldn't get completely out of it. I joined the business 48 years ago and stopped recording about 43 years ago. However I was stuck with making efforts for the former artists to receive promotion and monetary benefits on past recordings, causing me 42 more years of mostly unpaid work. My fellow workers and I had some real fun at times: Like when recording Sonny's big hit of "A Mighty Long Time" with only Cliff Givens pumping vocal bass and playing a broom for brush drum behind Sonny's harmonica and vocal. I asked for a slower tempo and more feeling. He said 'Miss Lillian, you is an old lady.' We laughed 'til we cried I was only 30 years old. What would he say if he could see me now and know how that song has lived on. In the '50s, I did not realize I was making memories and friends for a lifetime and more along the way that have sustained me 'til now when I'm old and gray and NOW I'll add this honor and cherish it for a rainy day. So, I'll just "dust my broom". God Bless you all. VIVA Le Blues!!" Ahmet Ertegun stopped by and told Lillian "Your speech was the best!" Nice review.
Name: timmy ross I HAVE BEEN LISNENING TO SONNY BOY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.NO ONE WILL TAKE HIS PLACE!!! I AM LOOKING FOR A CHESS RECORDING,DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT. MIGHTY LONG TIME. THANKS AND SONNY BOY FOREVER!!!!!
Name: 'fessor Mojo AKA Bill Donoghue For those of you who asked, "Fessor Mojo's Don't Start Me To Talkin'", the only book on the life of Sonny Boy Williamson II is available in the US at 1-800-982-2455 or outside the US at 508-478-5997. Here are some comments from reviewers: "Wonderful and Spellbinding book" Toby Byron, Producer of Bluesland video Congratulations on your excellent research to date. John Broven "The most valid Sonny Boy information I've ever read!" Tim Moody, Editor of the former Mississippi Saxophone, The Blues Harmonica Players Magazine "This is a great book and deserves to be read, more than once. Kudos to 'Fessor Mojo" Kenny Blue Ray, Blues Guitarist "Lots of fascinating facts (and myths) in the well-researched account." Real Blues, Oct/Nov 1997
Name: smokeydog Great site!! I enjoyed my visit. See ya'll, smokeydog
Name: Birk Warnken No discussion of Sonny Boy would be complete without talking about his home for over 40 years, Helena Arkansas and where he lived in an upstairs apartment rented to him by Morris Gist the owner of Gist Music. Gist Music Store is still in operation as is old Mr. Gist. I used to one of the group who took music lessons over the Gist Music Store. KFFA was right across the street in the Helena National Bank Bldg. I am trying to rack my brain to remember if while I was in and out of the music store if I ever saw Sonny Boy. I do know however, that sometime during 1965 when Sonny Boy died, the music teacher Mr. Smith I took accordian lesson's from disappeared without a trace. Interestingly enough that music room above the store still exists exactly like it was in 1965. I know because Morris Gist took me up there last year. He locked the door in 1965 and left everything intact. A small piece of history that links me back to the year Sonny Boy died. I know there are other's who will read this who have stories they can relate. If your from Helena and have a story. Why not post it for all to read about. Another interesting thing about Gist Music Store is that people come from all over the world to the store and buy a harmonica from Mr. Gist they will have him inscribe the Harp and then take it to Sonny Boy's Grave in Tutwieler Mississippi just south of Clarksdale. They put the Harp on his grave as a memorial. I went to see myself and sure enough on the top of the Tombstone placed neatly were three harps inscribed to Sonny Boy. It's worth the trip to find the grave to see this. Beside the Graveyard still stands the Church where reportedly Sonny Boy played as a child. It sits in ruins falling down in the weeds. I would like to see a map of how to get there posted on this web site. I have a picture of the grave and the church. It's worth the trip.
Name: BIG TONY Great site about one of the great harmonica players. You've done a very nice job. Keep up the good work! (I'll be back...)
Name: Lee Pevsner Thanks for the tremendous website. I like one of the previous guestbook writers grew up in Helena, Arknasas. I would go down to KFFA on my lunch hour during high school sometimes and watch the King Biscuit Boys perform. I attended the King Biscuit Blues Festival for the first time this past October. It was great !!!
Name: John B. Warnken I am a native of Helena, Ark home to Sonny Boy I used to hear his music as a child on KFFA King Biscuit Time Show. Too bad I am just now discovering his talent's. But his Music will live foreever.
Name: Joe Collier Please continue the great work on one of the greatest bluesmen of all times.
Name: MANUEL SANCHEZ FESSOR, LO ESTΑS HACIENDO MUY BIEN. SIGUE ASΝ. SONNY BOY SEGURO QUE TE LO VA A AGRADECER PERSONALMENTE ALGΪN DΝA (ESPEREMOS QUE SEA LEJANO).
Name: Ron Pierce I love this site, And THANK YOU !! for keeping the Blues alive. I'll never forget Glendora.. Your good friend. Ron Pierce
Name: 'fessor Mojo Congratulations to Andrew Campbell for building such an imaginative website. It is an honor to carry on in his tradition. Watch this site for some amazing and fascinating content on Sonny Boy or contribute to it here. 'fessor
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