Two lists of some of the biggest names in Blues and music, and the bands they've played together in. Sometimes, the Blues is remembered for individual legends, but when Blues talent gets together?
Like the Jazz Messengers for Jazz, Roomful of Blues has proven a breeding ground for Blues talent, nurturing many greats over the band’s 30 plus years of touring and recording. A partial list of people who have played with Roomful of Blues:
- Lou Ann Barton
- Ronnie Earl
- Duke Robillard
- Curtis Salgado
- Marty Ballou
- Porky Cohen
- Sugar Ray Norcia
- Ron Levy
- Al Copley
- & many more
A who’s who list of people the band has backed is even more impressive than the personnel. Perhaps the most impressive fact about Roomful of Blues is their incredible durability, touring almost perpetually and surviving for over 30 years.
http://youtu.be/OwkwncRFOsY
Of course some bands can claim even more impressive personnel lists than Roomful of Blues. Who can make this claim? Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings can. Bill’s band members have included:
- Georgie Fame
- Mick Taylor
- Gary Brooker
- Albert Lee
- Gary U. S. Bonds
- Eric Clapton
- Peter Frampton
- George Harrison
- Mark Knopfler
- Odetta
- Nicky Hopkins
- Paul Carrack
- & many more
But then Bill Wyman has the huge advantage of being a founding member of The Rolling Stones. Would you turn down a chance to play with him?
Please note the above list is in random order. If you think I would make any attempt to choose an order, or even a way to order a list like that, you are a loony.
http://youtu.be/pxLrgDBlKwI
One of the names on that list that has been a very longtime favorite of mine is Georgie Fame. Now aged 69, Fame, a master on the Hammond B3 organ, still has one of the greatest Jazz and Blues voices in history. He reminds me very much of another of my all time favorites, Mose Allison.
Coming up this week on The Nine O’clock Blues we’ll hear from Roomful of Blues and from the Rythym Kings. It should come as no surprise that I’ve chosen a Rhythm Kings’ track that features both the lead vocals and organ playing of Georgie Fame. Hey, when it is your show you get to cherry pick!
