Lyrics | Artists | Big Maceo

Big Maceo

Big Maceo is a major figure in blues piano. He drew his inspiration from the barrelhouse jazz pianists of the turn of the century, but added rolling basses and a power of execution that would have a considerable influence and define the piano playing of Chicago's electric blues. He played in Detroit for a long time, before recording for Bluebird with guitarist Tampa Red, a short-lived body of work that proved a great success with blacks, including "Worried Life Blues", "Chicago Breakdown" and "Poor Kelly Blues". Half-paralyzed, he met a miserable end. His style was perpetuated by...