Guitar Slim
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Eddie Jones, "Guitar Slim"
(December 10, 1926 - February 7, 1959)
Guitar Slim was the original rip roaring, red suit wearing, playing guitar while walking through the crowd showman. Though he tragically died of pnemonia at only 32, his influence is felt far and long, and he was one of the hottest Blues acts to come out of New Orleans.
Slim was born in the Mississippi Delta, probably around Greenwood, and he spent his younger years like most Delta Bluesmen, in the cotton fields and the Juke Joints. He ended up in the army in 1944 and was shipped to World War II. When he returned two years later, he moved to New Orleans, where he played guitar extensively with several bands. His first recording contract was with Imperial Records, and later with Specialty, where he cut his most famous song, "The Things That I Used To Do", with Mr. Ray Charles himself on the piano. It topped billboard's R&B charts, where it stayed for a stunning 42 weeks. It's sensational popularity has made it a Blues staple, still notable over 50 years later. It continues to be one of the largest hits out of New Orleans. Unfortunately, Slim never enjoyed another hit nearly as successful as "The Things That I Used To Do". In 1956, he was dropped form Specialty. In the three years after, he recorded with little success and reportedly began drinking more than his already legendary heavy binges. In New York in 1959, he contracted pneumonia and passed away February 7th at only 33 years old. He was buried in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
While his life may have ended far too early, his legacy lives on. He combined the Mississippi Delta sound with influences like distinct gospel and T-Bone Walker's electrified, wild Texas Blues to create one of the first early crossover sounds from Blues to Rock. He was using distortion, tye-dying his hair, dressing flamboyantly, and reportedly walking into traffic and through crowds with a 350 foot guitar cable before many rockstars were out of their diapers... or even born. He's been covered by many artists, including but not limited to Tab Benoit and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Buddy Guy has long cited Guitar Slim's larger than life stage personality as by and far one of his biggest influences for his own wild antics. Albert Collins has also cited Slim as influential, even covering "The Things I Used To Do", which became one of his most renoun live songs. Another avid follower is his own son.
Slim's son, Rodney Armstrong, billed as Guitar Slim Jr., is a magnificent artist in his own right. His first album, 1988's "Story Of My Life", is a Grammy nominated showcase of his electrifying guitar prowess. Slim, Jr's second album, "Nothing Nice", features the famous Memphis Horns, and showcases a broader musical ability, as well as several of his father's staples. Slim Jr. can be often be found entertaining audiences on Bourbon St. in New Orleans. (More information on Guitar Slim Jr. can be found in the Music section).
Notable songs by Guitar Slim
The Things That I Used To Do
Sufferin' Mind
Feelin' Sad
Well I Done Got Over It
The Story Of My Life
