Alexis Korner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexis Korner
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Alexis Korner, Musikhalle Hamburg, November 1972
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner |
| Also known as | "Father of British Blues" |
| Born | 19 April 1928 Paris, France |
| Died | 1 January 1984 (aged 55) London, England |
| Genres | Blues, blues rock |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter, historian, broadcaster |
| Instruments | Vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, Martin tiple, piano |
| Years active | 1955–1984 |
| Labels | Decca, Polydor, Spot Records, CBS Records, Transatlantic Records, Fontana, RAK Records, Tempo, Brain Records, Liberty, Atlantic/Metronome, 77 Records, Warner Bros., Charisma |
| Associated acts | Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, Free At Last, CCS, Snape |
Alexis Korner (born April 19, 1928 – died January 1, 1984) was a British musician and radio host. He is often called the "Father of British Blues". He had a big impact on the music scene in Britain during the 1960s. He helped start famous bands like The Rolling Stones and Free.
Alexis Korner's Early Life and Music
Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner was born in Paris, France, on April 19, 1928. His father was Austrian Jewish, and his mother had Greek, Turkish, and Austrian family. He grew up in France, Switzerland, and North Africa. In 1940, he moved to London when World War II began.
He remembered hearing a record by a blues pianist named Jimmy Yancey during a German air raid. Korner said that from then on, he only wanted to play the blues.
Starting His Music Journey
After the war, Korner played piano and guitar. In 1949, he joined Chris Barber's Jazz Band. There, he met Cyril Davies, who played the harmonica. They started playing music together as a duo.
In 1955, they opened an important place called the London Blues and Barrelhouse Club. They made their first record together in 1957. Korner also recorded with Ken Colyer's Skiffle Group in 1955. He even played the mandolin on one song!
Korner invited many American blues artists to play at their club. These artists were not well-known in Britain before this.
The 1960s: Blues Incorporated and New Bands
In 1961, Korner and Davies formed a band called Blues Incorporated. It was a group of musicians who loved electric blues and R&B music. Many famous musicians played in this group at different times. These included Charlie Watts, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Long John Baldry.
The band also attracted many young fans. Some of them even played with the group sometimes. These included Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Rod Stewart, John Mayall, and Jimmy Page.
Blues Incorporated's Influence
Cyril Davies left Blues Incorporated in 1962, but Korner kept the band going until 1966. By then, many of the original members had left to start their own bands. Bands like the Rolling Stones and Cream became very famous. Korner became known as an "elder statesman" of the blues.
In 1966, Korner started a trio called Free At Last. Hughie Flint, who played with Korner, said it was a smaller version of Blues Incorporated. He remembered that playing with Korner was very relaxed. They played many different kinds of music.
Helping Form Free
Even though Free At Last didn't last long, Korner helped another young band. He named them Free. Korner helped form this band in April 1968. He continued to guide them until they got a record deal.
Korner loved pure blues music. But he also thought that other British blues musicians were too strict. He believed they only played Chicago blues and ignored other styles. He often played with jazz musicians and a horn section.
Broadcasting Career
In the 1960s, Korner started working in media. He interviewed famous people and worked on a children's TV show called Five O'Clock Club. Korner also wrote about blues music for newspapers. He kept performing as a blues artist, especially in Europe.
New Church and CCS
While touring in Scandinavia, he formed a band called New Church with singer Peter Thorup. They played at the Rolling Stones Free Concert in Hyde Park, London, in 1969.
Jimmy Page heard about a new singer, Robert Plant, who had been playing with Korner. Korner wondered why Plant wasn't famous yet. Plant and Korner were recording an album together. But then Page asked Plant to join his new band, which became Led Zeppelin.
In 1970, Korner and Thorup formed a big band called CCS. This band had several hit songs. One was a version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love". This song was used as the theme for the BBC show Top of the Pops for many years. Another song, "Brother," was used as a theme for a BBC Radio 1 show. This was a very successful time for Korner in the UK.
Later Years and Radio Shows
In 1973, Korner and Peter Thorup formed another group called Snape. Korner also played on B.B. King's In London album. He made his own album called Get Off My Cloud. It featured famous musicians like Keith Richards and Steve Marriott.
In the mid-1970s, Korner worked closely with bassist Colin Hodgkinson. They continued to play together until Korner's death.
Korner spent most of the 1970s working in broadcasting. In 1973, he presented a six-part show on BBC Radio 1 called The Rolling Stones Story. In 1977, he started his own Sunday-night show on Radio 1. It was called Alexis Korner's Blues and Soul Show and ran until 1981. His deep voice was also used for many advertisements.
For Korner's 50th birthday in 1978, a special concert was held. Many of his famous friends played, including Eric Clapton and Paul Jones. This concert was later released as The Party Album.
In 1981, Korner joined another "supergroup" called Rocket 88. This band focused on boogie-woogie piano players. It included Jack Bruce and Charlie Watts. They toured Europe and released an album.
Family Life and Passing
In 1950, Korner married Roberta Melville. They had a daughter, Sappho Gillett Korner, and two sons, Nicholas 'Nico' Korner and Damian Korner.
Alexis Korner passed away in London on January 1, 1984. He was 55 years old.
Images for kids
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Korner and Peter Thorup in Bremen
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Korner with Snape
See also
In Spanish: Alexis Korner para niños
