eddy clearwater & los straitjackets

Biography

Eddy Clearwater, born Edward Harrington on January 10, 1935, in Macon, Mississippi, became a pioneering figure in the Chicago blues scene. After his family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1948, he taught himself to play guitar left-handed and upside down, performing with gospel groups including the legendary Five Blind Boys of Alabama. Moving to Chicago in 1950, Clearwater worked as a dishwasher while pursuing music, quickly immersing himself in the city's vibrant blues community under the mentorship of blues star Magic Sam. By 1953, performing as Guitar Eddy, he was making a strong name for himself on Chicago's South and West Side bar circuit, meeting and learning from blues legends like Sunnyland Slim and Earl Hooker.

Clearwater's musical identity crystallized after hearing Chuck Berry in 1957, when he synthesized rock and roll elements into his blues foundation, creating a distinctive sound that would define his career. He recorded his first single, "Hill Billy Blues," in 1958 under the moniker Clear Waters—a name created by his manager Jump Jackson as a homage to Muddy Waters. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, he built a devoted following, particularly among North Side college audiences drawn to his high-energy stage presence and individual blues-rock approach. His 1980 album The Chief on Rooster Blues marked a breakthrough, establishing him as a major force in Chicago blues and earning him multiple Blues Music Award nominations throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Clearwater's later career included notable collaborations and continued recognition. In 2003, he partnered with Los Straitjackets for the album Rock 'n' Roll City, which earned a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He received a Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year in 2001 and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on May 4, 2016. Clearwater continued performing until his death in June 2018 at age 83, having played at Buddy Guy's Legends club just weeks before, leaving behind a legacy as a masterful showman and innovative blues-rock musician.

Fun Facts

• Clearwater taught himself to play guitar left-handed and upside down, creating a unique playing style that became part of his signature sound.
• His stage name evolved from a play on Muddy Waters' name—his manager Jump Jackson created 'Clear Waters' as a tribute, which later morphed into 'Eddy Clearwater.'
• Despite his talent, Clearwater once had to perform behind a curtain at a Round Lake, Illinois club due to segregation, but his charm and skill won over the audience so thoroughly that the owner invited him to perform upfront.
• Clearwater performed at blues festivals across Europe including France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and even appeared on BBC television in England during the 1970s.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Magic Sam - Primary blues mentor and close friend who taught Clearwater blues techniques and style (Direct mentorship and musical instruction) [Early 1950s onward]
• Sunnyland Slim - Influential blues musician from whom Clearwater picked up licks and lessons (Musical collaboration and learning) [1950s]
• Earl Hooker - Blues legend who provided musical guidance and friendship (Musical instruction and collaboration) [1950s]
• Chuck Berry - Rock and roll influence whose music inspired Clearwater to blend rock elements into his blues style (Stylistic influence (heard in 1957)) [1957 onward]

Key Collaborators

• Los Straitjackets - Surf-rocking instrumental group with whom Clearwater created a notable collaborative album (Rock 'n' Roll City) [2003]
• Ronnie Baker Brooks - Co-artist on soul-funk collaboration (Soul Funky) [2014]
• Billy Branch - Co-artist on soul-funk collaboration (Soul Funky) [2014]
• Buddy Guy - Blues legend with whom Clearwater toured Europe (European tour) [1970s]
• Junior Wells - Blues musician with whom Clearwater toured Europe (European tour) [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia