Otis Rush, Blues Guitarist, R.I.P.
September 30, 2018 9:19 AM Subscribe
He helped develop West Side Blues and was a key figure of the city’s 50s and 60s blues resurgence Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Otis Rush, whose passionate, jazz-like music influenced artists from Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton to the rock band Led Zeppelin, has died at the age of 84.
Here's an article from 1990 about his influence on Chicago and the West Side Blues: Otis & the West Side Blues
And here's his recording of "Double Trouble," mentioned in the article as one of his best: Double Trouble (music starts about :45)
And here's his recording of "Double Trouble," mentioned in the article as one of his best: Double Trouble (music starts about :45)
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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 10:12 AM on September 30, 2018
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 10:12 AM on September 30, 2018
Only two comments on one of the greatest blues guitarists of our time. Well, maybe because it's Sunday.
posted by DJZouke at 11:13 AM on September 30, 2018
posted by DJZouke at 11:13 AM on September 30, 2018
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I learned about Otis thanks to his Gambler’s Blues medley on the classic Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival album from 1972. As the music comes to an abrupt end, the announcer (John Sinclair?) says, "Oh no, Otis Rush! Don't let it be over," but I guess that now, a mere 46 years later, it is for Otis. His many recordings will be heard for a long time to come.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:18 AM on September 30, 2018
I learned about Otis thanks to his Gambler’s Blues medley on the classic Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival album from 1972. As the music comes to an abrupt end, the announcer (John Sinclair?) says, "Oh no, Otis Rush! Don't let it be over," but I guess that now, a mere 46 years later, it is for Otis. His many recordings will be heard for a long time to come.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:18 AM on September 30, 2018
Only two comments
You want a comment? Don't do this.
posted by thelonius at 11:19 AM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
You want a comment? Don't do this.
posted by thelonius at 11:19 AM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Otis Rush never attained the household name recognition of a Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, or Buddy Guy, and arguably never achieved the same kind of cult following enjoyed by some of his contemporaries such as Magic Sam, but while he may at times have been overshadowed by even larger figures he was a giant of Chicago blues in his own right.
Unless there was an earlier release I don't know about, I believe he first released this song during his years on the Cobra label but I prefer the version he later recorded for Chess -- You Know My Love (Will Never Die)
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:57 AM on September 30, 2018
Unless there was an earlier release I don't know about, I believe he first released this song during his years on the Cobra label but I prefer the version he later recorded for Chess -- You Know My Love (Will Never Die)
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:57 AM on September 30, 2018
I've been getting into his stuff this year and find his albums to be solidly and reliably good. No clunkers or draggers.
I'm ashamed to say I didn't know he was still alive. Wikipedia says he had a stroke in 2003. Sounds like he may have had a tough last 15 years since his cause of death was complications from the stroke. Best wishes to his family and friends.
Thanks, Otis, for all the great music and inspiration.
posted by irisclara at 12:18 PM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'm ashamed to say I didn't know he was still alive. Wikipedia says he had a stroke in 2003. Sounds like he may have had a tough last 15 years since his cause of death was complications from the stroke. Best wishes to his family and friends.
Thanks, Otis, for all the great music and inspiration.
posted by irisclara at 12:18 PM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
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One of the greatest live Blues performances I saw was the Chicago Blues Fest lineup in the mid 90's with Eddy Clearwater, followed by Luther Allison and Otis Rush headlining. Eddy "the Chief" did his blues-rock thing; and it was good. Then Luther Allison came on an blew the roof off. He had been living in France for a while and felt that people stateside had forgotten how good he was. And he was a part of the same West Side blues scene of the 50-60's with Magic Sam, Otis Rush and others. The story I heard was that these younger guys were more influenced by BB King rather than the sound of the South Side guys like Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf. If you listen to the Cobra Records recording of these guys, it sounds more like the SOUL BLUES of today rather than the straightahead Chicago Blues of the Chess variety.
BTAIM, Luther, like I said, just kicked major ass. Otis came on and he basically complimented both Luther and Eddy and started into his set. By this time Otis was reputed to be really moody and was on and off with his live gigs, so I was not expecting much. But this time, I think he was inspired and put on a SHOW. Not just blistering runs or anything; but just really, really soulful. His version of MY LOVE WILL NEVER DIE is something I can just close my eyes and replay in my memory. The end of the set was when he invited all the others on the stage for a closeout. I still remember the concert even after these 25 or so years.
Man this really hits. But he has been suffering for a while. So I will not mourn his passing as much as appreciate the great pleasure he has given me all these years of my listening to the blues. He was not as appreciated, maybe because he was a mercurial live performer. He could be on and off. Buddy Guy on the other hand, ALWAYS puts on a great show. All those West Side guys like Magic Sam (who died young), Luther Allison (who spent most of his prime in Europe) and Otis Rush (who, like I said, was on and off) never got the writeups/props like the South Side guys; even though they were as good or sometimes better.
If you get a chance, listen to his Cobra records stuff.
EDITED TO ADD: SRV named his band Double Trouble in his honor.
posted by indianbadger1 at 12:36 PM on September 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
One of the greatest live Blues performances I saw was the Chicago Blues Fest lineup in the mid 90's with Eddy Clearwater, followed by Luther Allison and Otis Rush headlining. Eddy "the Chief" did his blues-rock thing; and it was good. Then Luther Allison came on an blew the roof off. He had been living in France for a while and felt that people stateside had forgotten how good he was. And he was a part of the same West Side blues scene of the 50-60's with Magic Sam, Otis Rush and others. The story I heard was that these younger guys were more influenced by BB King rather than the sound of the South Side guys like Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf. If you listen to the Cobra Records recording of these guys, it sounds more like the SOUL BLUES of today rather than the straightahead Chicago Blues of the Chess variety.
BTAIM, Luther, like I said, just kicked major ass. Otis came on and he basically complimented both Luther and Eddy and started into his set. By this time Otis was reputed to be really moody and was on and off with his live gigs, so I was not expecting much. But this time, I think he was inspired and put on a SHOW. Not just blistering runs or anything; but just really, really soulful. His version of MY LOVE WILL NEVER DIE is something I can just close my eyes and replay in my memory. The end of the set was when he invited all the others on the stage for a closeout. I still remember the concert even after these 25 or so years.
Man this really hits. But he has been suffering for a while. So I will not mourn his passing as much as appreciate the great pleasure he has given me all these years of my listening to the blues. He was not as appreciated, maybe because he was a mercurial live performer. He could be on and off. Buddy Guy on the other hand, ALWAYS puts on a great show. All those West Side guys like Magic Sam (who died young), Luther Allison (who spent most of his prime in Europe) and Otis Rush (who, like I said, was on and off) never got the writeups/props like the South Side guys; even though they were as good or sometimes better.
If you get a chance, listen to his Cobra records stuff.
EDITED TO ADD: SRV named his band Double Trouble in his honor.
posted by indianbadger1 at 12:36 PM on September 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
thelonius Sorry, I was not being sarcastic. I was just surprised at the lack of comments.
posted by DJZouke at 12:54 PM on September 30, 2018
posted by DJZouke at 12:54 PM on September 30, 2018
. 🎵
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:19 PM on September 30, 2018
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:19 PM on September 30, 2018
Aw, man.
For some tasty yet tasteful vibrato: All Your Lovin' [Miss Loving]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:34 PM on September 30, 2018
For some tasty yet tasteful vibrato: All Your Lovin' [Miss Loving]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:34 PM on September 30, 2018
The only time I ever went in to stupid Buddy Guy's stupid ripoff tourist trap club was to see Otis in one of his last healthy gigs. It was worth it.
posted by Chitownfats at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Chitownfats at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
A beloved favorite of this guitarist. RIP to a life well and fully lived.
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posted by spitbull at 7:47 AM on October 1, 2018
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posted by spitbull at 7:47 AM on October 1, 2018
.🎶
posted by kabong the wiser at 8:50 AM on October 1, 2018
posted by kabong the wiser at 8:50 AM on October 1, 2018
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Love some Otis Rush!
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posted by Thorzdad at 10:05 AM on September 30, 2018