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David "Junior" Kimbrough, one of the mainstays of the North Mississippi blues sound, died of a heart attack Jan. 19. Kimbrough, who operated a popular juke joint outside Holly Springs, Miss., was known for his hypnotic, one-note blues, with songs lasting up to 10 minutes once he found a groove he liked. The style has found a wider audience in the past five years as Kimbrough and fellow North Mississippi bluesman R.L. Burnside played to younger audiences. Kimbrough's popularity stemmed from his appearance in Robert Palmer's film, Deep Blues. Following that, he recorded for Fat Possum Records out of Oxford, Miss. Kimbrough's 1980s recordings for David Evans' High Water label were re-released last year. Born in Hudsonville, Miss., he traveled all over the world playing music. Kimbrough played at the Lincoln Center in New York, as well as opened for punk pioneer Iggy Pop. He was often joined by his sons, Kenny Malone and David Kimbrough Jr. (see story on Page 4). Services at Rust College, where he often performed, turned into a reverent jam. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of Kimbrough Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Hudsonville. Junior Wells, who spent nearly his entire lifetime playing the blues, died Jan. 15 following a lengthy illness. Born Amos Wells in 1932, Wells was raised in Memphis. It was there, at the age of 8, that he met harmonica great Sonny Boy Willliamson (Rice Miller). Wells began playing harmonica then. After moving to Chicago, he began playing in clubs, even though he was a minor. By the early 1950s, he had his own band and was considered the primary rival of Little Walter. He recorded for the States label between 1953 and 1957, turning out some of his better work. After that, he teamed up with guitarist Buddy Guy to form a musical friendship that was successful for both. Wells found success as a solo artist when he hooked up with Bob Koester of Delmark Records. Wells' career continued up until he was too ill to perform. He attended the W.C. Handy Awards last year, where his Come on in this House picked up the award for Best Traditional Blues Album. He slipped into a coma in September and never recovered. Carl Perkins, one of the originators of rockabilly, died Jan. 19 of a heart attack. He was 65. Perkins is best known for his 1956 hit "Blue Suede Shoes," the first song to top the pop, country and R&B charts at the same time. Perkins never was able to regain that success, though, after a car accident forced him to take a year off. Once he was able to perform again, Elvis Presley had passed Perkins by in popularity. He continued to write songs and perform, and spent a large part of his career as Johnny Cash's guitarist. He penned one of Cash's biggest hits - and the song Perkins said he wanted to be remember for - "Daddy Sang Bass." Perkins also enjoyed the admiration of the Beatles, who recorded several of his songs on their earliest records. A 1987 inductee into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, Perkins continued to record and perform. He released his autobiography, Go, Cat, Go!, last year. His funeral service attracted a who's who of rock and country, including former Beatle George Harrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Garth Brooks, Wynona Judd and more. Paul McCartney and Elton John sent video testimonials.
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