J.T. Brown Receives a Headstone From Killer Blues!

Killer Blues has confirmed the placement of a headstone on the grave of saxman J.T. Brown at Burr Oak Cemetary in Chicago, IL. Buried not far from his bandmate "Little" Johnny Jones, J.T. Brown's new marker can be identified with the engraved saxaphone on the left of the stone. Like all Killer Blues headstones, the marker is a flat stone, and every effort was made to honor the artist's contribution to the music.

From Wikipedia:

J. T. Brown (April 2, 1918 — November 24, 1969^[1]) was an American tenor saxophonist of the Chicago blues era. He was variously billed as Saxman Brown, J.T. (Big Boy) Brown and Bep Brown. Born John Thomas Brown in Mississippi, he was a member of the Rabbit Foot Minstrels in the Deep South before heading to Chicago.By 1945, Brown was recording behind Roosevelt Sykes and St. Louis Jimmy Oden, later backing Eddie Boyd and Washboard Sam for RCA Victor. He debuted on record as a bandleader in 1950 on the Harlem record label. Brown, along with Gene Ammons also mentored the, then young, A.C. Reed. More from Wikipedia...

"Little" Johnny Jones Receives a Headstone From Killer Blues!

Killer Blues has confirmed the placement of a headstone on the grave of legendary blues pianist "Little" Johnny Jones at Burr Oak Cemetary in Chicago, IL.  Johnny Jones' new marker has a beautiful engraved piano with the heading "Bluesman" to commemorate his gift to the Blues.

From Wikipedia:

Little Johnny Jones (November 1, 1924 – November 19, 1964)^[1] was a Chicago blues pianist and singer, best known for his work with Tampa Red, Muddy Waters and Elmore James. Jones was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1924. He arrived in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 in the company of Little Walter and "Baby Face" Leroy Foster, and soon replaced pianist Big Maceo Merriweather in Tampa Red's band after Merriweather suffered a stroke which paralysed his right hand.^[2] He later backed Muddy Waters on harmonica,more from Wikipedia...

John Henry Barbee Receives a Headstone from Killer Blues!

Bluesman John Henry Barbee recently received a headstone supplied by Killer Blues. John Henry is buried in Restvale Cemetery in Chicago, Ill. For the exact location, go here:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10661

John Henry Barbee (November 14, 1905 – November 3, 1964^[1]) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was born William George Tucker^[2] in Henning, Tennessee,^[1] and changed his name with the commencement of his recording career to reflect his favorite folk song, "The Ballad of John Henry".

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Barbee

Detroit Junior's Headstone Donated by Bruce Iglauer!

We are pleased to announce that renowned blues pianist Detroit Jr. recently received a headstone donated by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records. The marker is located in Chicago's Mt. Hope Cemetery, just down the hill from Carey bell's marker, also donated by Bruce Iglauer. We thank Bruce, and the folks at Alligator for continuing their efforts to honor these great deceased blues artists!

Try these links to learn more about Washboard Sam!

http://www.myspace.com/washboardsam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washboard_Sam

Washboard Sam Receives a Headstone from Killer Blues!

Homewood, IL  Nov. 22, 2009  Steve Salter of Whitehall, MI with Washboard Sam’s headstone which was purchased in October by Salter thru his Killer Blues Headstone Project. Salter has purchased 3 other markers for blues musicians including, Big Maceo, Walter Vinson and Luther Tucker. He is currently working on several other headstones for musicians buried in unmarked graves.

Luther Tucker Receives a Headstone from Killer Blues!

Restvale Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois-

Killer Blues is proud to announce the purchase of guitarist Luther Tucker's headstone, located in Restvale Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Thanks to the growing support of local blues fans, and the successful near sell-out crowd at the White Lake Blues festival in May of 2009, we were able to purchase Luther's headstone, complete with his trademark guitar. Steve stopped by to take a photo and pay his respects on his way to this year's Chicago Blues Festival! Thanks to everyone for your continued support of this project!

Who was Luther Tucker? (From Wikipedia)

Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 — June 18, 1993^[1]) was an American blues guitarist.

Tucker helped to define the music known as Chicago Blues, but played everything from blues to soul, rock, jazz and gospel, when given the chance. Read more...

Additionally, while at Chicago Blues Fest, Steve caught up with Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records, who announced that he had recently purchased a headstone for Carrie Bell, who is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago, Ill.

Thanks to Bruce for his ongoing contributions to these Blues musicians and to the preservation of their legacies!

Walter Vinson Receives a Headstone From Killer Blues!

Press Release:

Cook County, IL – Walter Vinson may not be “sittin’ on top of the world” but at least he’s no longer lying in an unmarked grave thanks to Steve Salter’s Killer Blues Headstone Project.  Vinson, one time member of the Mississippi Sheiks and author of the song “Sittin’ on Top of the World” now has a proper marker in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL. This is the second marker purchased by the Headstone Project this year.  The first was for Big Maceo, King of the Blues Piano.   For more information on how you can help with the next headstone, visit killerblues.net.

Steve "The Killer" Salter at Walter Vinson's Grave with new headstone, purchased by Killer Blues

(Click to enlarge)