Pinetop Perkins

Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins (b. Honey Island Plantation near Belzonie, Mississippi, July 7, 1913 -- d. Austin, Texas, March 21, 2011) -- Pianist. Born in the Mississippi Delta, Perkins is a blues legend, who was still playing piano in his mid ‘90s. Although a master in his own right, his nickname emanated from his dazzling interpretations of “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” by Pinetop Smith. Although he was originally a guitarist, a knifing injury to his left arm necessitated a switch to the piano in the mid-1940s. After focusing on the piano, he played with Sonny Boy Williamson for “King Biscuits Hour,” a groundbreaking blues show on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas. Following a move to Chicago, Perkins joined the Muddy Waters Band in 1969 and remained his sideman for thirteen years. Although long-term alcoholism, the death of his wife in 1996, and his advanced age would have seemingly ended his will to perform, he overcame his addiction and continued to perform far and wide. As justification for his inclusion in my list, he spent part of his comeback living in La Porte, where he befriended club owner Buck Levandoski. Later, he moved to Austin, Texas. Among his many accomplishments in his 90s was his Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2005. In 2007, he won a Grammy in the category "Best Traditional Blues Album" for Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas. Becoming the oldest person to win a Grammy at 97, Perkins, took home top honors in the same category for Joined at the Hip (2010), which he recorded with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.