| LEGENDS
LOST |
It's shaken this Blues town - the loss of Bennie
Smith and Henry Townsend in a two
week period.
Henry Townsend was a national Blues patriarch, having
recorded in the last 8 decades. Known affectionately as 'the mule',
Henry was performing the craft he loved right until the end. The past
few years Henry was flown around the country to perform with other
luminaries such as David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Louisiana Red, Homesick
James, and Robert Lockwood Jr.
STLBlues was fortunate enough to have enjoyed his music and his friendship,
as did so many in this musical town. We recently spent a few minutes
with Henry, and as he shared some time with us he gave us some insights
into his music, and his life - our
interview.
Henry, this town will never forget you, you were truly loved!
Henry in Chicago | Henry's
94th Birthday | 'My
Story'
Blue Shoe Project remembers Henry
Arrangements:
OCTOBER 1, 2006
Visitation / Wake
12 noon - 7 PM
Layne Renaissance Chapel
7302 West Florissant Ave. 63136
314-382-1214
OCTOBER 2, 2006
Funeral
11 AM
Mount Nebo M.B. Church
4981 Theodore Ave. 63115
Interment
2 PM
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
| Memories
of Henry |
I
got a call around ten this evening from Art Dwyer. Henry had
passed within the hour. Ever the road dog, he was playing this
festival (see link) in Grafton, Wisconsin. One month shy of
97 and the old man passed working on the road. Ironically, one
of his earliest recording sessions were done in a Grafton hotel,
circa summer 1931. His first records were cut in Chicago in
1929. I knew him about half my life. He was a good friend.
Tom Burnham |
Henry
once said in an interview, "Blues is the truth". Henry
was a consumate blues player and a true soul that touched all
he encountered.
Unknown Author |
I
recall one year while down at the King Biscuit festival, a phone
call alerted me that Henry was on the way, and could I arrange
VIP status for him. Just one mention of his name, and the staff
of the Biscuit couldn't have moved faster to lay out the red
carpet for him. Just another example of how he was loved and
revered. Henry leaves a legacy in his wake that spans the globe.
I'm glad that I was able to know him, and call him a friend.
Dave
at STLBlues |
Been a pretty bad few weeks with
the loss of the great Bennie Smith and the legendary Henry Townsend.
St. Louis blues will never be the same. Good time for us to
think about all the old musicians have given to us...and to
take that knowledge and music into the future. RIP Henry and
Bennie!
Jeremy
Segel-Moss |
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