The Mojo Man
When I was young I lived in a small town in the deep south. Occasionally my father would walk me down the long, winding path to a back-woods shack that served as the area’s juke joint. As I watched my father dance and drink his troubles away with his friends, it must have presented a funny picture to anyone that cared to look – a four-year-old white boy sitting in the corner watching his dad and a room full of black men & women dancing to a blues band. This may not exactly be Norman Rockwell’s picture of the early 1950’s, but it was my picture.
The reality of this is that I remember very little of it. Although my mother filled in the details many years later, my memories of those occasions were of the music itself.
Even to a four-year old the blues was as seductive as it was sad. This predictable and stylized American music form remains for me a source of optimism. I think this is it’s seduction. Its express purpose is to make people feel good by creating a certain courage from helplessness.
In 1976 – more than twenty years after my juke joint experiences – I revisited the blues as I photographed Muddy Waters at one of his last concerts. He, Pinetop Perkins – currently the oldest performing bluesman at 96 – and their band at the time held a concert in a small park in Water’s hometown of Westmont, Illinois.
Although “The Mojo Man” needed the help of fans and friends to get off the stage after the concert, his voice was strong and clear as he sang most of the songs that made him an inspiration to not only several generations of rock & roll performers, but to a young photographer.
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Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters with his band
Muddy Waters and his band
Pinetop Perkins
Westmont, IL crowd enjoying Muddy Waters and his band
The Mojo Man, Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters' hand and guitar
Muddy Waters
Crowd enjoying Muddy Waters in Westmont, IL
Getting help from friends and fans after Muddy Waters concert
Muddy Waters talks with friends and fans after concert
Holiday Inn
Pinetop Perkins
16 Responses to “The Mojo Man”
Wow. I agree, blues music is seductive in its rhythm, bass, and its complete sensory power to uplift the spirit despite the hardship associated with the lyrics or background. Lucky you, Muddy Waters in the 70s. Pinetop at the piano. How cool is that.
I used to go hear Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows whenever they were out this way. “300 pounds of heavenly joy,” that big boy could sing and move.
And then Koko Taylor. Heard her many a time in a smoky old bar.
Thanks Bill for the post.
Bill–
It was two degrees this morning when I walked to the train. Diane sent this to me at work later on.
Great stuff. Mojo Man definitely warmed me up.
Gene
love these pictures, and of course the story…
Thanks Anna & Gene. Sarah, too bad you weren’t there like Ben was!
i was just wondering if ben (and mom) ended up in any of the shots in the background.
I’ve looked but never found them.
how about the shot with the holiday in towel? i love that one
I just added that one, Jesse. I like it too. I guess hot hands are hot hands.
…and one more of Pinetop Perkins I like. If I can find the color one of the close-up of his alligator shoes I’ll scan that one & add it.
i also have to ask…. did you climb a tree to get some of those shots? i don’t remember if you’ve said before
remember me and heights… no tree climbing! I don’t honestly remember how I was elevated for that wide-angle shot. Maybe there is a hill there or something. Maybe I ought to take a drive to Westmont & see the park.
Wonderful pictures–and beautiful reflections! Thank you!
This story is awesome, but the pictures tell the story all on their own.
I’m sure you get a lot of people telling you how much they like your art, but I’d like to be added to the list.
Hey, Mr. Brown Thumb… thanks. I also enjoyed taking a look at your gardening blog. I’ll check it out closer. It may be inspiration enough to return THIS blog to a gardening format!
Nice one! If I could write like this I would be well happpy. The more I read articles of such quality as this (which is rare), the more I think there could be a future for the Net. Keep it up, as it were.
Thanks, Daron. You’re awful kind and your comments made my day!