Amos Milburn
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Amos Milburn (born April 1, 1927 in Houston, Texas, died January 3, 1980 in Houston, Texas ), was an American rhythm and blues singer, and pianist, popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
Life and career
Originally from Texas, he became one of the leading performers associated with the Central Avenue music scene of Los Angeles's Watts neighborhood.He was an important marker in the map of blues music, in the first decade or so following World War II. His high-energy numbers, about getting 'high', led the way for a 10 year party, jointly celebrated by fellow acolytes, such as Little Willie Littlefield; Floyd Dixon and his prime disciple, Fats Domino.
His popularity had him down as Billboard's Top R&B artist, in both 1949 and 1950. However, after the mid 50s, his recordings more reflected the sound of Domino, while his day to day work became even seedier.
Among his best known songs were "Down the Road Apiece", "Chicken Shack Boogie" and "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer". The latter was a prime example of a Milburn specialty: songs about booze, and its good, and bad effects. Ironically, or expectedly, alcoholism lead to the loss of his health. He died at the age of 52 from the third of a series of strokes. After his first two strokes, circulatory problems had led to the amputation of a leg. (The common Milburn legend says he died of alcoholism. In fact, alcoholism does not cause or contribute to peripheral vascular disease).
His final recording was an Album for Johnny Otis. This was in 1972, when he had already been incapacitated by a stroke. So much so, that Otis had to play the left-hand piano parts, for his enfeebled old friend. However, his best work encapsulated so much of what was good about Houston made, hipster's romp style, piano work. Thus, Milburn remains an important figure in the whole history of blues musicianship.
Landmark recordings
- Amos Blues - 1946
- Down The Road Apiece - 1947
- Chicken Shack Boogie - 1948
- A&M Blues - 1948
- Bad Bad Whiskey - 1950
- Thinkin' And Drinkin' - 1952
- One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer - 1953
- Rockin' The Boogie - (LP) - 1955
- Let's Have A Party - (LP) - 1957
- Amos Milburn Sings The Blues - (LP) - 1958
Recommended compilation
- Blues, Barrelhouse And Boogie Woogie 1946-1955 - Capitol Records
External links
- [Bio]
- http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/amos.html
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