Pinetop Perkins- A blues legend.

It was on this date 22 years ago, Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues presented blues pianist Pinetop Perkins at the Orpheum Theater. He was 87 years old and would live another ten, performing and entertaining people throughout his illustrious career.

When he arrived at the airport that day, he was wearing his suit clothes for the show taking place at 8 o'clock

that evening. He had on a maroon velvet suit, crisp white shirt and purple tie, with matching hat sporting a long white feather. He had a small piece of paper, clipped to the inside of his coat with our office phone number and name of the hotel just in case he got lost.

Considering he was a blues superstar, he could not have been nicer and more humble to all of us. From the drive from the airport to the hotel, he was asked what he might he might like to eat before the show. He response was priceless, since he had been up quite a while and was obviously hungry.

"Do y'all have a McDonald's?" Surprisingly, the car was passing right by one at the time. "I'll have a fish sandwich and a large Sprite." Dropped off at the hotel, it was clear we needed to make sure he was safe and sound in his room. His daughter mentioned that although he loves to perform and meet his fans, he can get confused about details like "showtime and addresses in strange cities." He was 87 years old after all. So we made sure he knew we'd pick him up and take him to the theater, even though it was a block away. When we arrived that night, Pinetop still had his large Sprite, still dressed in his velvet suit, ready to go.

Debbie Davies and Rusty Zinn were also on the bill that night. Rusty's band would back up Pinetop for his set. They both greeted him with smiles, hugs and small talk. It was like meeting royalty. Pinetop had done it all.

He had grown up in Mississippi, moved to Chicago and was one of the major influences in American blues throughout the 20th Century. And here he was, sitting in a chair next to me, obviously a bit hard of hearing, but looking at at the stage and the band playing for a sold out house with a smile on his face.

Pinetop, legally known as Joe Willie Perkins, was shy, quiet and content, sitting in that chair off stage. We asked him often if he was comfortable and if he needed anything. But all he wanted to do is play the piano and sing a few of his songs.

Perkins played for just over 30 minutes. But it was as if the angels of blues had arrived. His piano playing and big grin said it all. He was home.

He sat down backstage while the band packed up their gear and a few lucky fans got to meet him after the show. One was my close friend, who brought his young daughter to meet the legend. Pinetop held out his hand with a smile and said, "You like the blues?" She could only nod up and down while she shook his hand. After he let her go out and play the drums on the stage, he got himself ready to go back to the hotel. He turned around and told little 8-year old Amanda, "Be sure to stay in school. I went all the way through school... in the front door and out the back!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sePUYlioh1U

Pinetop played for years with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and many others before going solo at age 65. He would pass away at 97 on March 21, 2011. I love these legends of blues and will be presenting a class on Pinetop Perkins May 11!

More to come about that later. Have a great weekend! Rob