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The Blues Begat Southern Rock, Which Begat Wet Willie

Southern Rock is most definitely one of the children of the Blues and one that has served to guide a great many new fans to the Blues. Among the important exponents of Southern Rock over the past 40 years have been the various incarnations of Wet Willie.

Wet Willie hails from Macon, Georgia, but started in 1969 in Mobile, Alabama. The original members were songwriter, vocalist, harmonica and sax player Jimmy Hall, Jimmy's brother Jack on bass, guitarist Ricky Hirsch wrote or co-wrote much of the music, the drummer was Lewis Ross and John Anthony played keyboards. Of front man Jimmy one writer said "Jimmy was who Mick Jagger wanted to be!"

After the band moved to Macon in 1970 they were signed to record and after releasing their first album they set out to become the hardest working band of the times and they pretty well succeeded. In the band's own words they "opened for everyone from A to Z: Allman Brothers to ZZ Top!" Despite their live and album success it took until their fourth album Keep on Smilin' for them to break into the upper levels of radio play with the title track.

The band has continued with various lineups to this day, and despite a lack of hit songs for many years a legion of fans keeps them going strong.

-dIJM

While keeping his place in Wet Willie, Jimmy Hall has had some considerable success outside the band including working as a soloist and singing with Jeff Beck's group. You can enjoy Jimmy June 13 when he appears on the main stage at the Greeley Blues Jam.

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