Willie Big Eyes Smith Plays Helena

Chicago blues drumming legend Willie "Big Eyes" Smith performs with an all star band in 2007 at the former King Biscuit Festival, renamed the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival at the time this footage was shot and the TV Show aired.

Willie made his name as Muddy's drummer in the later Waters' bands, and in recent years had moved out front to take on harp and vocal duties with his own bands. His premature passing in 2011 saddened the blues world, who will never again witness the drumming talents of Willie, who played a right handed drumkit as a left handed player -- which allowed him to create a style all his own. When someone mentions a Chicago Shuffle -- Willie's drumming is what you should think of. Fortunately, the Smith drum legacy is being carried forward by Willie's son, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, to whom his father had passed the baton.

The band also includes recently departed blues greats Hubert Sumlin and Pientop Perkins -- along with Bob Stroger, Buddy Flett, Ed Kobeck and Little Frank.

See also 'Hubert Sumlin Plays Helena" and "Willie Big Eyes Smith Plays Helena" for additional footage from this great event.

Originally broadcast in 2008 as "BluesNYC" on Time Warner cable of Staten Island.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hubert Sumlin
• Pinetop Perkins
• Willie Big Eyes Smith
• Bob Stroger
• Helena
• Muddy Waters
• Buddy Flett
• Little Frank