Amos Milburn

From Free net encyclopedia

(Difference between revisions)

Revision as of 22:24, 18 April 2006
Royboycrashfan (Talk | contribs)
Revert to article
Next diff →

Current revision

Amos Milburn (born April 1, 1927 in Houston, Texas, died January 3, 1980 in Houston, Texas ), was an American rhythm and blues singer, and pianist, popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Originally from Texas, he became one of the leading performers associated with the Central Avenue music scene of Los Angeles's Watts neighborhood.

He was an important marker in the map of blues music, in the first decade or so following World War II. His high-energy numbers, about getting 'high', light the way for a 10 year party, jointly celebrated by fellow acolytes, such as Little Willie Littlefield; Floyd Dixon and his prime disciple, Fats Domino.

His popularity had him down as Billboard's Top R&B artist, in both 1949 and 1950. However, after the mid 50s, his recordings more reflected the sound of Domino, while his day to day work became even seedier.

Among his best known songs were "Down the Road Apiece", "Chicken Shack Boogie" and "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer". The latter was a prime example of a Milburn specialty: songs about booze, and its good, and bad effects. Ironically, alcoholism eventually hit hard on Milburn, leading to his premature death at the age of 52.

His final recording was an Album for Johnny Otis. This was in 1972, when he had already been incapacitated by a stroke. So much so, that Otis had to play the left-hand piano parts, for his enfeebled old friend. However, his best work encapsulated so much of what was good about Houston made, hipster's romp style, piano work. Thus, Amos Milburn remains an important figure in the whole history of blues musicianship.

[edit]