Duke Tumatoe

Biography

William “Bill” Severen Fiorio, known as Duke Tumatoe, was born in Chicago in June 1947 to a first-generation Italian family. Growing up on the city's South Side, the birthplace of urban electric blues, he was immersed in the genre from a young age, frequently visiting the Maxwell Street Market to hear legends like Muddy Waters, whom he first saw at age 13. A self-taught musician, he began playing drums at 14 and guitar soon after, learning by observing Chicago blues masters. His style blends intense blues guitar—described as 'B.B. King played through Jimi Hendrix (with a touch of Andy Gill)'—with humorous, twist-filled lyrics that turn life's hardships into light-hearted stories.[1][2][3]

In 1965, Tumatoe enrolled at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he briefly led the psychedelic rock group Lothar and The Hand People, notable for their innovative use of the theremin in tracks like 'Space Hymn.' By 1967, he co-founded REO Speedwagon as a soul-influenced band, but left in 1969 when it shifted to straight rock, preferring blues. That year, he formed Duke Tumatoe and The All-Star Frogs, featuring keyboardist James Mitchell Hill (compared to Booker T. Jones), touring for 13 years and releasing three or four albums. In 1983, after moving to Indianapolis, he disbanded the Frogs and launched Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio, which has released 12-13 albums and maintained a grueling schedule of over 200 shows annually for decades.[1][2][3]

Tumatoe has shared stages with icons like Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, John Fogerty, and George Thorogood. His 1988 live album I Like My Job, produced by Fogerty, highlights his enduring career. Known for 15 albums as bandleader and a humorous take on blues, he continues performing over 100 dates yearly, cementing his legacy as a Midwest blues entertainer.[1][2]

Fun Facts

• Founded short-lived psychedelic band Lothar and The Hand People, pioneering the theremin in rock with 'Space Hymn,' predating its use in The Beach Boys' 'Good Vibrations.'[3]
• Wrote and has performed over 800 versions of the humorous blues jingle 'Lord Help Our Colts' for the Indianapolis Colts since 1985, updating verses for each game.[1][2]
• Maintained a rigorous tour schedule of over 200 shows per year for much of his career with The Power Trio.[1][2]
• His songs emphasize blues' light-hearted humor, turning sad stories funny, as in his philosophy: 'a comedian turning something sad into something funny.'[1][2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Muddy Waters - early live influence seen at age 13 on Maxwell Street (Chicago blues performances) [early 1960s]
• B.B. King - stylistic guitar influence; self-taught by watching Chicago blues legends (general blues style) [1960s onward]
• Chicago blues legends (e.g., Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy) - self-taught guitar playing and overall blues inspiration from South Side scene (Maxwell Street Market shows) [teen years]

Key Collaborators

• James Mitchell Hill - keyboardist in All-Star Frogs and ongoing Power Trio member (All-Star Frogs albums; Power Trio albums) [1969-present]
• John Fogerty - producer and shared performances (I Like My Job (1988 live album)) [1980s]
• REO Speedwagon (Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer) - original band member (early REO Speedwagon) [1967-1969]
• Current Power Trio (Bill Ritter, Dawson Ouelette) - bass and drums in recent lineup (Have You Seen My Keys? album) [recent years]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia