Jerry Ricks
Jerry Ricks | |
---|---|
Birth name | Gerald Lawrence Ricks |
Also known as | "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | May 22, 1940
Died | December 10, 2007 Rijeka, Croatia | (aged 67)
Genres | Country blues |
Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer |
Gerald Lawrence "Jerry" Ricks (May 22, 1940 – December 10, 2007), often billed as "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks, was an American country blues guitarist and singer.
Life and career
Ricks was born and grew up in
In 1969, Ricks toured with
His first solo album, in 1984, was recorded in Zagreb, at that time in Yugoslavia, and he also recorded albums in Hungary, Austria and Switzerland. He returned to live in the United States in the early 1990s.[3] His first American releases did not arrive until 1998, when Rooster Blues released his Deep in the Well. The album was nominated for three W.C. Handy Awards. Many Miles of Blues followed on the same label in 2000.[1]
In 2007 Ricks and his wife moved to Kastav, Croatia. He suffered a stroke that year, and a benefit concert featuring Shemekia Copeland and David Bromberg was held in the US to help pay his medical bills. He died on December 10, 2007, aged 67, in a hospital in Rijeka, Croatia.[3]
The biggest blues festival in Croatia, Kastav Blues Festival, is established in honour of 'Philadelphia' Jerry Ricks. It's being held from 2008 and is still ongoing. Every year in the first week of August, eminent names of national, european and global blues scene come to Kastav, Croatia to honour Jerry's inheritance.
Ricks fathered two children: Philadelphia icon Jamie R. Ricks (1963-2017) and visual artist Kellie L. Ricks (1964-2020).
References
- ^ a b c Biography by Richard Skelly, Allmusic.com. Retrieved 13 November 2016
- ^ a b Jerry Ricks discography, Wirz.de. Retrieved 13 November 2016
- ^ a b "Finger-Pickin’ Delta Blues Legend “Philadelphia” Jerry Ricks, Dead at 67", www.gibson.com, December 13, 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2016
External links
- Blues Guitarist Jerry Ricks Dies at 67. AFP via Google, December 12, 2007.