Bill Perry's final set at the Corner Stage

[debbieonharp]

billy- thanks---You will remain the best fast fingered bluesman from NY--love the hat.Deb

[artistandwriter]

Play on Bill

Whenever I need a pep talk I come here and you lift my soul!

[frankenz1]

Bill Perry was as good as the blues gets. For my money this guy had it all. I saw him many times at Boodles and other venues in Orange county and spoke with him often. He was down to earth and real. His playing will live on forever! Rest In Peace Bill.

[circlecloud1]

I had been following Bill since seeing him open for the smitherines at the Chance circa '87-88. He was the best kept secret that I wish everyone knew about. He would give 110% regardless of how many people were there. His playing was amazing. No one has ever made the hair on the back of my neck stand up like when he would rip into a guitar solo. Pure energy and emotion. It's a pitty there isn't a live DVD so people could propery understand how good he was.

[StellarChi]

I was very Blessed to play harp now and then with Bill mosly at Manny's Car Wash. ( 88th St & 2nd Ave. in the Apple ). He would walk around the packed club jamming and feeding off the crowd in such a real connection. His " Love Scars " CD is a must for your Blues collection. Every Molecule in his Body, Mind and Soul exuded the Blues. I would have lovde to have heard He and Adam Gussow A.K.A. ( KudzuRunner) play together ,,,,Woww what a treat that must have been.

[KudzuRunner]

I knew Bill as part of the NYC blues scene and played a few gigs with him on harp. He was one of the greats. Very hard working guy; he never just phoned it in. He burned really hot--his music, I mean--and he could play it all, from the down home stuff to the Hendrix psychedelic stuff. I miss him.

[BombAzzFood]

If you can truly hear it. You will be put in a trance... Just close your eyes.. I saw him many times at Bodles when we were the only people in the place... We had our own private show and he NEVER EVER cheated a performance.. I truly miss him.. He was a gift to us and I am thankful in everyway for his impact on my life.. His rendition of "Red House" is still the best I have EVER heard!! Jimi would be buying him drinks after he played that song...

[zonk42]

Bodles Opera House, New Main Street Pub, Corner Stage, Warwick Valley Winery...this guy NEVER disappointed.

[mrskwad]

Bill Perry stay and will stay for ever in my mind, i'm so worry to have never seen him in live, the first time i have listened to him was in december 2006, i live in france.

he rarely came in france.

he was so great in our times the best for me!!!!

[Platano0587]

Damn that playing is incredible.

It's so unfortunate I'm just hearing this talented musician now for the first time. I could just punch myself for having missed the chance of seeing him live.

[Tabou95]

I can't believe it is 2 years already, still miss you.

[AndrewOdom]

Used to work with him in Chester 20 years ago...we traded blues records and became pals at work.

Always a gracious man in my experience.

We miss him- thanks for posting.

[TruthAxe]

I knew Bill from when I was 16 (1980), back in NY.

I would run into him in bars in New Windsor, Middletown, even Hennesey's in Mt. Lodge Park (Blooming Grove).

He was a decent guy, always gracious.

While in a bar in Chatsworth, Calif., I met someone who knew Bill.

[forgetmyname48]

I remember him at Hennesey's too what a performer

[akared98]

Bill we still miss you and love you! I'm selfish to say it breaks my heart to not hear you and your guitar sing. You were truly the best!

[otaypanky2]

I miss ya' Bill

[harlemhank]

Bill Perry was a Baad Mother...SHUT your mouth! Well I'm only talking about Shaft, JOHN SHAFT!! BILL PERRY "SHAFT" BILL PERRY a BAD MOTHER FUCKER!! CAN YOU DIG IT! If YOU didn't see BILL PERRY LIVE, YOU FUCKED UP!!! The MANS' LYRICS were COLD BLOODED BLUES! BILL was straight to the point! He left no doubt about where he was coming from! He Lit Up, and Turned Out, N.Y.C. and CHICAGO!! YOU FEEL ME??? LET IT BE KNOWN FROM THIS DAY FORWARD: BILL PERRY, was a LEGEND!!HE WORKED Love HarlemHank

[ryan401]

cant get over the fact that hes gone man ..

[irishcannibal]

i met bill on a thursday night at a small club about 6 years ago. The club was practically empty that night (i think it was a holiday weekend) as a result i got to sit right up front and watch and then get to know him better after the show. it changed my life and afterwards bill became a huge unfluence on my playing. I saw bill many times and got to know him pretty well. He had something most guitar players are lacking. he had passion, power and control over the guitar in a way few can match.

[highwaycop63]

So good to listen too the days he played a the golden rail in newburgh and the other hole in the wall places drinking long neck buds and mellowing out to Bill RIP

[lespaulzrule]

That was amazing!!!

5 Stars!

[madchops82]

yes

[lionel40000]

Bill was the best bluesman I ever saw in concert, this 19th of october 2002, at the Bourbon Street in Bordeaux (France). He was so smily, cool, with his beer, speeking with the crowd like an old buddy...

A very very nice man and an incredible guitar player.

Biggest respect.

[ryan401]

Bill is my hero...one of the gretest men to ever meet...and surely one of the greatest guitarists...miss ya bro

[jacka1958]

I can't believe Bill is gone. I just found out by searching his music and reading the comments. used to catch him @ Dinosaur Barbeque in Rochester, n.y. He was one great bluesman!

[Passionsfury]

Couldnt make that night,,,but do agree he played soooo great...as he always did at the Corner Stage...and as Korn Cob said ..it was a quincessential place for some awesome jams...tipping my hat off to you , BILL....God Bless..Deb

[rpm9]

There is, I know not how, a certain presage, as it were, of a future existence; and this takes the deepest root, and is most discoverable, in the greatest geniuses and most exalted souls. ~Cicero

RIP Bill. You'll be missed.

[artistandwriter]

Friends, please rate this video so that it receives wider play, by doing so you can help get Bill's music to a wider audience. Thanks!

[vicpapagorgio2]

Sadly, I discovered Bill not long before his passing... an AMAZING guitarist. Long story short, I searched and searched for his live CD from the Car Wash to no avail as it was out of print. I was lucky enough to finally locate a copy in France... Which was NEW in the wrapper! I picked it up nad have been loving ti ever since. RIP

[12675]

thanks this was so good to see, i hadnt seen him play in some time and heard he had lost a little fire...not so, he was just taking his time. ive never heard him play so patiently....killin as ever. wish there could have been more..love it.

[Tabou95]

The last time I saw him was at the corner stage, after his last trip to Europe. I miss him.

[akared98]

Thank you for keeping his memory alive. Bill was amazing and selfless...