„Eddy would hit the stage with that big smile of his and win over the crowd right from the start. He was loved by all.“<\/b>
\nCHICAGO (CBS) \u2014 The Chicago blues legend and self-taught guitarist who wowed crowds with a style he called \u201crock-a-blues\u201d has passed away.
Eddy \u201cThe Chief\u201d Clearwater died of heart failure in Skokie on Friday. He was 83.
He was lauded for his guitar playing and flamboyant showmanship, as well as playing while wearing a large, colorful Native American headdress.
Known as \u201cThe Chief,\u201d Clearwater was born Edward Harrington in Macon, Mississippi. He began his career in Birmingham, performing with gospel music groups, including the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
After moving to Chicago in 1950, Clearwater drifted into the blues, making a name for himself as Guitar Eddy.
By 1953, he performed in clubs on the city\u2019s South and West Side. He played with notable stars including Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Freddie King.
According to Alligator Records, after Clearwater added a rock and roll element to his guitar playing, his then manager came up with the name Clear Waters as a play on blues legend Muddy Waters.
The name eventually evolved into Eddy Clearwater.
His music was described a bridge between blues and rock-n-roll.
\u201cEddy had a rock and roll heart but he came of age musically among the second generation of Chicago blues players who were identified with the \u2018West Side Sound,\u2019 especially Magic Sam and Otis Rush. His sound could veer from Muddy Waters to Chuck Berry,\u201d said Tom Marker, blues disc-jockey at WXRT 93.1 FM and WDCB 90.9 FM.
What made him special to watch?
\u201cEddy would hit the stage with that big smile of his and win over the crowd right from the start. He was long and tall, and could strut the stage with a swagger or a Chuck Berry style duck walk,\u201d said Marker. \u201cHe was loved by all.\u201d
His 2003 album, \u201cRock \u2018N\u2019 Roll City,\u201d was nominated for a Grammy Award as best traditional blues album.
Clearwater is survived by his wife, Renee, and six children.
Condolences poured in from the blues community and elected officials.
\u201cChicago lost one of our legendary blues musicians, innovators and ambassadors to the world,\u201dsaid Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement.
\u201cClearwater leaves behind a legacy that includes 17 albums, countless shows and a lifetime of songs that gave a voice to the soul of the city he loved. Our thoughts are with Eddy\u2019s family and friends during this difficult time.\u201d
\u201cI am so saddened by the loss of Eddy Clearwater. He was like an uncle to me,\u201d said Chicago guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of the late guitarist Lonnie Brooks. \u201cWe had been working on his next CD. For Eddy to have so much trust in me was priceless,\u201d he said.
\u201cEddy Clearwater\u2019s 2016 induction into the Blues Hall of Fame will always remain a highlight for me,\u201d said Barbara Newman, President and CEO of the Blues Foundation. \u201cHe will truly be missed by all who knew him and all who ever saw him perform or heard one of his recordings.\u201d
Clearwater was scheduled to play at Buddy Guy\u2019s Legends next week in time for the upcoming Chicago Blues Festival.
His funeral is set for Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in Skokie at Chicago Jewish Funerals at 8851 Skokie Boulevard.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

\n

Similarity rank: 3.1<\/div>\n

Sentiment rank: -0.7<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

TW posts: 9<\/div>\n

TW reposts: 9<\/div>\n

TW likes: 14<\/div>\n

TW sentiment: 10<\/div>\n<\/div>\n