New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ M6 Prods.) - Once in a lifetime you may experience a brief moment when the stars align and something truly extraordinary happens. This will be the case in March and April 2010 when six of the greatest living blues legends assemble on stage for three incomparable nights of music. Not just legends in the Blues. Not just early architects of rock and roll. These are true American cultural icons including one recipient of the
National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award, the highest honor in the USA for traditional arts.
Wed. March 31, 2010 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Friday April 2, 2010 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Theater
Saturday Apr 3, 2010 San Diego, CA Anthology
* The band represents over 300 years of touring history
* Collective members have multiple Grammys and 30 Blues Music Awards
* Band members range from 60 to 96 years of age
Once reunited in July 2008 for a part in the upcoming film 'The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll,' the old magic reemerged. These musicians continue to inspire the current rock and roll heroes so expect more than a few special guests to drop by. Staging such an epic event is a rare opportunity and will thus be captured for a feature documentary film described as The Last Waltz meets Buena Vista Social Club.
THE LEGENDS:
JOE WILLIE 'PINETOP' PERKINS - Considered one of world's greatest blues pianists.
Born July 7, 1913 in Belzoni, Mississippi, Grammy Award winner Joe Willie 'Pinetop' Perkins took up piano mid-career after he was stabbed in the arm. Early on, Perkins accompanied such blues legends as Big Joe Williams and Sonny Boy Williamson. In 1953, already a well known back-up player, he made his first solo recording with Sun Records. 1n 1969 he replaced Otis Spann in the Muddy Waters Band and stayed for over a decade including many years with Bob Margolin. Today, 'Pinetop' Perkins is an NEA Heritage Award recipient and at 96, the oldest living GRAMMY winner.
HUBERT SUMLIN - Considered one of world's greatest guitarists - blues or not.
Though he's influenced and inspired many of the most famous guitar players, Hubert owns the magic. Born in 1931 in Greenwood, Miss. he started his first band with James Cotton. Soon Howlin' Wolf brought Hubert to Chicago. Rarely, in any genre, can one pinpoint such remarkable factors as the distinct sound of Hubert Sumlin's guitar in those early to mid- '60s Chess recordings. It's no wonder Rolling Stone includes him in top 100 lists and he's joined by Allman Brothers, Stones, Aerosmith, Elvis Costello, Santana et al when he performs. Again, watch for special guests to drop by these shows and pay homage!
JAMES 'SUGAR BLUE' WHITING - Grammy winning harp virtuoso, schooled Mick Jagger.
Blue began his career playing on the streets, and later recorded with Brownie McGhee, Roosevelt Sykes and Victoria Spivey. In Europe, the Rolling Stones invited him to play on the Some Girls, Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You albums. Back in Chicago, Blue worked with and learned from harmonica legends Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, James Cotton and Junior Wells. He played in the Chicago Blues All-Stars with friend and mentor Willie Dixon and contributed to Dixon's Grammy-winning 1988 album Hidden Charms. Sugar Blue & Margolin are the babies of the group at 60.
WILLIE 'BIG EYES' SMITH - Considered one of world's greatest blues drummers.
Born in Helena, Ark. in 1936 Smith ventured to Chicago at 17 where he played harp with Bo Diddley and Johnny Shines among others. In 1957 he switched to drums and quickly found himself recording and touring with the Muddy Waters Band until 1964. Lean times fell on the blues and Willie drove a cab and did odd jobs until one night in 1968 he dropped by to hear Muddy play. Sparks flew and Willie again played with Muddy until 1980 and appears on all his Grammy winning albums. He's toured with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton and appeared in The Blues Brothers movie as a street musician with John Lee Hooker.
BOB STROGER - Considered one of the best blues bass players alive.
Born in South East Missouri, Stroger moved to Chicago in 1955 where he lived in the back of a nightclub where Muddy and the Wolf played regularly. Living in a night club, it's no wonder he took notice of the bass guitar. Stroger's career stints read like a hired gun. Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Louisiana Red, Snooky Pryor, Homesick James, Sunnyland Slim, Mississippi Heat and other gigs like the rhythm section duties for the American Blues Folk Festivals in Europe.
'STEADY ROLLIN' BOB MARGOLIN - Revisiting his appearance in The Last Waltz.
Margolin was the guitarist for Muddy Waters Band from 1973 to 1980, performing with Waters and The Band in The Last Waltz in 1976. He recorded four Grammy winning albums with Muddy and played at the White House in 1978. A true student, teacher and stalwart of the blues, Margolin is a currently a touring and recording artist, Blues Revue columnist, record label owner and producer.
THE ONCE & FOR ALL TOUR & THE PERFECT AGE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL.
The Perfect Age of Rock 'N' Roll Blues Band evolved out of a conversation that manager, Hugh Southard, had with Joseph White, the Producer of the film 'The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll'. Joseph was looking to put an authentic blues band in his film as a featured part of the plot line. Pinetop Perkins , Hubert Sumlin, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, Bob Stroger, Sugar Blue and Bob Margolin became that band.
The band decided to tour in support of the film. Subsequently, a new documentary live concert film project has been born. This film will document the reflection of these artists, who have over 300 combined years of touring history to present to the world. It culminates with an all star event in San Francisco, Orange County and San Diego where special guests will showcase the love and respect they have for these legends.
The legends of the blues and those influenced by it are aging or passing and with it their rich history and culture. These legendary figures made a profound impact on American music and our society. The blues is America's gift to the world, idolized around the globe, and no other culture can lay claim to its mighty influence.
Docu-Film Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9KkmhkjzC4
Band Website: https://www.reverbnation.com/PARRbluesband
Venues: www.gamh.com / www.galaxytheatre.com / www.anthologysd.com
