Biography
William Clarke was born on March 29, 1951, in Inglewood, California, to a blue-collar family who had relocated from Kentucky. Growing up in Southern California, Clarke was drawn to the blues after hearing early Rolling Stones albums, diverging from his peers who favored surf music. By age 16, he had left school to work in a factory, saving enough to buy his first harmonica. He soon immersed himself in the vibrant Los Angeles blues scene, sneaking into clubs to hear legends like T-Bone Walker and Big Mama Thornton.
Clarke's career took shape in the late 1970s as he became a fixture in South Central LA blues clubs and began recording self-produced albums. His musical style was a powerful blend of Chicago blues harmonica, West Coast swing, and jazz influences, particularly notable for his mastery of the chromatic harmonica and his 'soul-jazz' approach. Clarke's breakthrough came after he left his machinist job in 1987 to pursue music full-time. Signing with Alligator Records in 1990, he released acclaimed albums like 'Blowin' Like Hell,' which won the W.C. Handy Award for Blues Song of the Year. He toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe, earning a reputation as one of the most dynamic and inventive harmonica players of his generation.
Despite facing personal and health challenges, Clarke's legacy endures through his recordings and influence on contemporary blues harmonica. He passed away on November 2, 1996, in Fresno, California, at the age of 45, leaving behind a body of work celebrated for its soulful energy and technical brilliance.
Fun Facts
- Clarke bought his first harmonica with $2.50 he borrowed after quitting school at 16.
- He was known for his ever-present sunglasses, which became a signature part of his image.
- Clarke's song 'Must Be Jelly' won the W.C. Handy Award for Blues Song of the Year in 1991.
- He often played more than 250 shows a year after his national breakthrough, touring both the U.S. and Europe.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- George 'Harmonica' Smith - Clarke's primary mentor, close friend, and musical collaborator; Smith was a Muddy Waters Band veteran who deeply influenced Clarke's harmonica style and approach. (Performed and recorded together from 1977 to 1983) [1977-1983]
Key Collaborators
- Hollywood Fats - Guitarist featured on Clarke's 1980s Rivera Records albums, contributing to his classic recordings. (Albums for Rivera Records in the 1980s) [1980s]
- Junior Watson - Guitarist who played on Clarke's early albums, helping shape his West Coast blues sound. (Albums for Rivera Records in the 1980s) [1980s]
- Fred Kaplan - Pianist on Clarke's early recordings, contributing to his swing and jazz-inflected blues. (Albums for Rivera Records in the 1980s) [1980s]
- Smokey Wilson - Clarke served as a sideman on Wilson's albums, further connecting him to the West Coast blues community. (Sideman appearances on nearly a dozen albums) [Late 1970s-1980s]
Artists Influenced
- Contemporary blues harmonica players - Clarke's innovative blend of Chicago and West Coast styles, as well as his chromatic harmonica technique, inspired a new generation of blues musicians. (His Alligator Records albums, especially 'Blowin' Like Hell') [1990s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Blowin' Like Hell | 1990-07-30 | Album |
| Groove Time | 1994-10-19 | Album |
| Deluxe Edition | 1999-02-23 | Album |
| The Hard Way | 1996-07-16 | Album |
| Serious Intentions | 1992-03-30 | Album |
| Double Dealin | 2010-06-01 | Album |
| Rockin the Boat | 2011-02-13 | Album |
| Tip Of The Top | 1999 | Album |
| Live In Germany | 2005 | Album |
| Heavy Hittin' West Coast Harp | 2019-07-01 | Album |
| The Early Years Vol. 2 | 2008-08-19 | Album |
| Now That You're Gone | 2001 | Album |
| The Early Years Vol. 1 | 2008-08-19 | Album |
| Live Bootleg Cassette Anthology | 2010-03-05 | Album |
| One More Again | 2008-09-16 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Lonesome Bedroom Blues (Blowin' Like Hell)
- Lollipop Mama (Blowin' Like Hell)
- Cash Money (Blowin' Like Hell)
- Pawnshop Bound (Deluxe Edition)
- Blowin' The Family Jewels (Groove Time)
- Drinking By Myself (Blowin' Like Hell)
- This Is My Last Goodbye (Groove Time)
- Evil (The Hard Way)
- Greasy Gravy (Blowin' Like Hell)
- Looking To The Future (Blowin' Like Hell)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
william clarke has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2025 | 14:16 | chromatic jumpfrom tip of the top | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D |