Biography
Guitar Shorty, born David William Kearney on September 8, 1934, in Houston, Texas, was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who became a legendary figure in the blues world. He grew up mainly in Kissimmee, Florida, where he learned guitar from his uncle at an early age. At age 16, while performing with the Walter Johnson Orchestra in Tampa Bay, he received his iconic nickname when "Guitar Shorty" mysteriously appeared on the club marquee—a name that would define his career for over six decades. He quickly gained recognition among his peers and joined the Ray Charles Band, recording his first single "You Don't Treat Me Right" in 1957 under the direction of Willie Dixon for the Cobra label.
Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Guitar Shorty performed extensively up and down the west coast and Canada, establishing himself as a distinctive force in blues music. His explosive guitar style and wild stage antics set him apart from contemporaries, earning him a reputation for unpredictable, off-the-wall playing that other blues musicians wouldn't attempt. During the 1970s, he worked as a mechanic while playing music nights and weekends, but returned to full-time performing in 1975. His career experienced a major resurgence following a British tour that led to his 1991 album "My Way Or The Highway" on the JSP label, which won the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Foreign Blues Album Of The Year and revitalized his U.S. career. His 2004 Alligator Records debut "Watch Your Back" further cemented his status as a blues heavyweight, and he continued touring extensively until his death on April 20, 2022.
Guitar Shorty's legacy extends beyond his own prolific recordings and performances; he is credited with directly influencing two of blues and rock music's greatest guitarists. His blistering, physical guitar playing and fierce vocals earned him comparisons to a "bare knuckled boxer," while critics praised his harmonically saturated tone, soaring sustain, and lethal licks. Over five decades of performances, he demonstrated an uncompromising artistic vision and became recognized as a true, undisputed heavyweight champion of the blues.
Fun Facts
- Guitar Shorty met his future wife Marsha (or Marcia) in Seattle, Washington—she was the step-sister of Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was so enthralled with Shorty's playing that he went AWOL from his Army base several times just to watch him perform.
- In 1976, Guitar Shorty appeared on Chuck Barris' Gong Show and won first prize while performing the song "They Call Me Guitar Shorty"—while balanced on his head.
- Guitar Shorty received his iconic nickname at age 16 in Tampa Bay when someone mysteriously added "Guitar Shorty" to the marquee of the club where he was performing with the Walter Johnson Orchestra, and the name immediately stuck with him for life.
- After a serious auto accident in 1984, Guitar Shorty made a remarkable recovery and resumed his recording career, eventually achieving major critical acclaim and international recognition in his later years, including appearances at major festivals like Monterey Bay Blues Festival and the Chicago Blues Festival.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Uncle (unnamed) - Taught Guitar Shorty to play guitar at an early age in Kissimmee, Florida (Early guitar instruction) [1940s]
- Willie Dixon - Directed Guitar Shorty's first recording session and served as a key early influence ("You Don't Treat Me Right" (1957)) [1957]
Key Collaborators
- Ray Charles - Guitar Shorty joined the Ray Charles Band for a year early in his career (Ray Charles Band performances) [Late 1950s]
- Walter Johnson Orchestra - Performed with the Walter Johnson Orchestra in Tampa Bay, where he received his nickname (The Walter Johnson Band featuring Guitar Shorty) [1950s]
- Sam Cooke - Performed with Sam Cooke's touring band in New Orleans and collaborated on various engagements (Touring band performances) [1950s-1960s]
- B.B. King, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Little Milton, Lowell Fulson, Johnny Copeland - Performed with and opened for these blues and R&B luminaries throughout his career (Various live performances and tours) [1950s-2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix was deeply influenced by Guitar Shorty's playing and went AWOL from his Army base multiple times to see him perform. Shorty introduced Hendrix to the wah pedal and loaned him one when Hendrix could not afford to buy his own. (Hendrix's pioneering rock guitar techniques) [Early 1960s]
- Buddy Guy - Guitar Shorty is credited with influencing Buddy Guy's blues guitar style (Buddy Guy's blues rock approach) [1960s onwards]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #blues, #electric-blues, #electric-texas-blues
References
Heard on WWOZ
Guitar SHorty has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9, 2026 | 14:15 | Irma Leefrom COBRA 45 | The Blues Breakdown | |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 21:43 | You Dont Treat me Rightfrom COBRA 45 | Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr. |