Guitar Shorty
Guitar Shorty | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | David William Kearney |
Born | Houston, Texas, U.S. [dubious ] | September 8, 1934
Died | April 20, 2022 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 87)
Genres | Blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Years active | 1950s–2022 |
Labels | Black Top, Alligator |
Website | http://www.guitarshorty.com |
David William Kearney (September 8, 1934 – April 20, 2022), known as Guitar Shorty, was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was known for his explosive guitar style and wild stage antics. Credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, Guitar Shorty recorded and toured from the 1950s until the 2020s.[1][2] In 2017, Billboard magazine said, "his galvanizing guitar work defines modern, top-of-the-line blues-rock. His vocals remain as forceful as ever. Righteous shuffles...blistering, sinuous guitar solos."[3]
History
Shorty was born in either
While in New Orleans, Shorty also fronted his own band which played regularly at the
Shorty gigged steadily through the late 1950s and 1960s. During the 1970s, he worked as a mechanic, playing music at nights and on weekends. He again became a full-time musician in 1975, struggling at times to make ends meet. In 1976 he made an appearance on
In 2002, he was featured on the Bo Diddley tribute album Hey Bo Diddley – A Tribute!, performing the song "Don't Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got)". He joined
On May 10, 2016, his touring van and trailer was stolen with most of his instruments and gear. An online fundraiser and several benefit concerts were organized, by his guitar player Crazy Tomes, in Los Angeles to help him with the financial losses, including a special performance with The Chambers Brothers.[11][12][13]
Guitar Shorty released his album Trying To Find My Way Back in 2019, produced by Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams and Larry "MoogStar" Clemons.[14] He also played lead guitar on Crazy Tomes' single "Livin' on Memories", released in 2020.[15] He continued to tour with his band of many years that included Dan Gerass (Drums), Crazy Tomes (Guitar and vocals) Malcolm Lukens (Keyboards) and Wadada Khufu (bass).[16][17]
He died on April 20, 2022, in Los Angeles, at the age of 87.[18]
Discography
- On the Rampage (Olive Branch, 1989)
- My Way or the Highway (JSP, 1991)
- Topsy Turvy (Black Top, 1993)
- Get Wise to Yourself (Black Top, 1995)
- Blues Is All Right (Janblues, August 27, 1996)
- Billie Jean Blues (Collectables, August 27, 1996)
- Roll Over, Baby (Black Top, 1998)
- I Go Wild! (Evidence, 2001)
- Watch Your Back (Alligator Records, 2004)
- Shout! Factory, June 2006)
- We the People (Alligator Records, August 2006)
- Bare Knuckle (Alligator Records, March 2010)
- How Blue Can You Get (Janblues, December 2010)
- Trying To Find My Way Back (Essential Media Group, 2019)
References
- ^ "Guitar Shorty". Blueshighwayus61.com. January 6, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "The Flips Side of Success Bums Guitar Shorty". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 1998. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Guitar Shorty – Biography". Billboard. September 8, 1939. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "Bluesman David "Guitar Shorty" Kearney September 8, 1934 - April 20, 2022", Alligator Records, April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022
- ISBN 978-0313344237.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-673-1.
- ^ a b c d "Texas Blues Guitarist". Guitarshorty.com. July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-0140513844.
- ^ a b Stiles, Ray (March 17, 2000). "Guitar Shorty". Blues on Stage. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Bill Dahl (September 8, 1939). "Guitar Shorty | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ a b "Burglary Blues | The Argonaut Newsweekly". Argonautnews.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "The Chambers Brothers with Guitar Shorty . Every day I have the Blues . June 2016 ". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Kid Ramos". Facebook.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, John (February 7, 2020). "Guitar Shorty – Trying To Find My Way Back | Album Review". Bluesblastmagazine.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Guitar Shorty". Facebook.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Guitar Shorty". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "In Memoriam: Bluesman David “Guitar Shorty” Kearney", Blues Magazine, April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022
External links
- Guitar Shorty Official website Archived December 6, 2000, at the Wayback Machine
- Guitar Shorty at Alligator Records
- Guitar Shorty Interview by Brian D. Holland
- Guitar Shorty Interview – NAMM Oral History Library (2016)
- Guitar Shorty discography at Discogs
- Guitar Shorty at IMDb