Musician. Four over five decades, he was a noted vocalist, harp player and drummer of the Chicago blues scene. At age 17, he learned to play harmonica, moved to Chicago in 1953 and played in the Rocket Four, a band led by blues guitarist Arthur ‘Big Boy' Spires. In 1955, he played harmonica on Bo Diddley's recording of "Diddy Wah Diddy" on the Checker label. Since Drummers were in more demand than harp players, Smith switched to drums and starting playing with Muddy Waters' band. He recorded with Waters on the 1960 album "Muddy Waters Sings Big Bill Broonzy" and became a member of Muddy Waters' band in 1961. For the next two decades, he was a permanent fixture of Muddy Waters' rhythm section and played with Waters on his six Grammy Award winning records. In addition to being a versatile harpist and drummer, he also sang on his own albums and performed with legendary bluesmen Buddy Guy, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones and Jerry Portnoy. At the 53rd Grammy Awards February 13, 2011, Smith shared the Best Traditional Blues Album Award with Joe Willie ‘Pinetop' Perkins, for their 2010, release "Joined at the Hip". He died of a stroke at age 75.
Musician. Four over five decades, he was a noted vocalist, harp player and drummer of the Chicago blues scene. At age 17, he learned to play harmonica, moved to Chicago in 1953 and played in the Rocket Four, a band led by blues guitarist Arthur ‘Big Boy' Spires. In 1955, he played harmonica on Bo Diddley's recording of "Diddy Wah Diddy" on the Checker label. Since Drummers were in more demand than harp players, Smith switched to drums and starting playing with Muddy Waters' band. He recorded with Waters on the 1960 album "Muddy Waters Sings Big Bill Broonzy" and became a member of Muddy Waters' band in 1961. For the next two decades, he was a permanent fixture of Muddy Waters' rhythm section and played with Waters on his six Grammy Award winning records. In addition to being a versatile harpist and drummer, he also sang on his own albums and performed with legendary bluesmen Buddy Guy, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones and Jerry Portnoy. At the 53rd Grammy Awards February 13, 2011, Smith shared the Best Traditional Blues Album Award with Joe Willie ‘Pinetop' Perkins, for their 2010, release "Joined at the Hip". He died of a stroke at age 75.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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