From:   philip.davies
Date:  Tue Dec 10, 2002  9:05 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You - Guitar Slim
 
Guitar Slim

Born Eddie Jones on December 10th 1926, in Greenwood Mississippi,
Died February 7th 1959, in New York

Although he died aged 32 Guitar Slim's place in history is assured, his 1954
million seller The Things I Used To Do was one of the most inflential NO r&b
songs and his dramatic loud blues guitar style (heavily copied by the 60s
blues rockers), matched with a stunning live act, was well ahead of its
time.No 1950s blues guitarist even came close to equalling the flamboyant
Guitar Slim in the showmanship department. Armed with an estimated 350 feet
of cord between his axe and his amp, Slim would confidently stride onstage
wearing a garishly hued suit of red, blue, or green - with his hair usually
dyed to match.

Little is known of his early life in the Mississippi Delta, he told Art Rupe
that he sang in a church choir. He was also a dapper dan, a ladies man,
served in the US Army from 1944-46. He was influenced by Gatemouth Brown
and T-Bone Walker. Met Huey Piano Smith in NO in 1950 and played in a trio
with him ( drummer Willie Nettles). Signed for Imperial in 1951, recorded a
few sides for Nashville label owned by Jim Bulleit -J-Bs (the gospel
influenced Feelin' Sad - Dr John says Slim was using church influences long
before Ray Charles).

Johnny Vincent, then Rupe's promo man got Slim signed to to Specialty in
1953. Later that year Vincent got Slim to cut The Things I used To Do with
Ray Charles on piano, this lengthy chart topper was the biggest r&b seller
of 1954, Slim's gospel styled vocal and shimmering guitar licks made it a
must buy. Cover versions hint at its impact, artists of the calibre of Chuck
Berry, Muddy Waters, James Brown, Ike Turner, Buddy Guy, Little Milton,
Albert Collins and Lonnie Brooks. A real bench mark record of the SAO era.

Strangely, although he waxed several stunning follow-ups for Specialty in
the same tortured vein - "The Story of My Life," "Something to Remember You
By," "Sufferin' Mind" - as well as the blistering rockers "Well I Done Got
Over It," "Letter to My Girlfriend," and "Quicksand," Slim never charted
again.

The guitar wizard switched over to Atlantic Records in 1956, but they never
listened to how Vincent had turned up the guitar volume on his NO sides.
Again proving the old saw about NO music not travelling outside the city on
wax. Gradually, his waxings became tamer, though "It Hurts to Love Someone"
and "If I Should Lose You" summoned up the old fire. But Slim's lifestyle
was as wild as his guitar work. Excessive drinking, womanizing and life in
the fast lane took its inevitable toll over the years, and he died on
February 7th New York 1959 at age 32. What a dreadful week for rock n roll
that was! Meanwhile, in Seattle, a young Jimi Hendrix cranked up his
amp - - -

Slim was buried in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Later, Slim's widow married Lowell
Fulson and one of Slim's sons (Rodney Armstrong), from his many common -law
wives, performs as Guitar Slim Jnr, he's recorded a tribute called The Story
Of My Father's Life.

Phil Davies

Recommended Listening
The Things I Used To Do - Ace CHD 110
or the compilation
Creole Kings Of NO Ace CDCHD 393 has the biggie on it

Highly Recommended Reading
Walking To NO - John Broven
I Hear You Knocking - Jeff Hannusch aka Almost Slim, has a great chapter on
the colourful Mr Jones