Eddie Burns

Biography

Eddie "Guitar" Burns was born on February 8, 1928, in Belzoni, Mississippi, and was raised primarily by his grandparents around Clarksdale. His father was a sharecropper and a traveling medicine show singer, exposing Burns to music from an early age. He left Mississippi permanently around 1946, working for the Illinois Central Railroad before settling in Detroit in 1948. There, he began his musical journey with gospel groups and quickly became a fixture in the Detroit blues scene, performing at clubs like the Harlem Inn and the Tavern Lounge. Burns was mentored by John Lee Hooker and played harmonica and guitar, eventually recording his own singles and becoming known for his lean, countrified blues style. Over the decades, Burns adapted to changing musical trends, recording for labels such as Checker, Chess, and Harvey Records, and later gaining wider recognition through European tours and appearances at major festivals like the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. His career spanned seven decades, and he remained active well into the 21st century, releasing albums such as 'Snake Eyes' in 2002, which featured his brother Jimmy Burns on guitar. Burns is widely regarded as one of the most important Detroit bluesmen, second only to John Lee Hooker in stature.

Fun Facts

• Eddie Burns was known by several nicknames, including Big Daddy, Little Eddie, Big Ed, and eventually Eddie "Guitar" Burns.
• He supplemented his income as a musician by working as a mechanic during his early years in Detroit.
• Burns's debut album, 'Bottle Up & Go', was recorded in London during a 1972 European tour.
• He performed his song 'Bottle Up & Go' live on the British television program 'So It Goes' in 1976.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Lee Hooker - Mentor and early collaborator (Friendly Brothers, The Real Folk Blues (1966)) [1948–1960s]
• Sonny Boy Williamson I - Harmonica inspiration (Recordings and live performances) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Johnny Smith - Guitar-harmonica duo partner (Early Detroit recordings) [1948–1950s]
• Jimmy Burns - Brother and guitarist (Snake Eyes (2002)) [2002]
• Joe Turner - Pianist and bandleader (Detroit (1989)) [1989]

Artists Influenced

• The J. Geils Band - Recorded Burns's song 'Orange Driver' (Hotline (1975)) [1975]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. ENAMEL (ENAMEL)
2. summer school radio with Lovie (summer school radio with Lovie)
3. my luv 4 u (my luv 4 u)
4. Bck! (Tank on E)
5. KRINK (KRINK)
6. Sweet Talkin (feat. Elton Aura & AJANIMF) (Sweet Talkin (feat. Elton Aura & AJANIMF))
7. POLKA DOT (feat. Demetruest) (POLKA DOT (feat. Demetruest))
8. CHECK IN (CHECK IN)
9. CHECK IN - Sped Up (CHECK IN)

External Links

• Spotify