Eddie Shaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Shaw
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 20, 1937 Stringtown, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | January 29, 2018 (aged 80) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Chicago blues |
| Occupation(s) | Saxophonist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone |
| Years active | Early 1950s – 2018 |
| Labels | Various |
Eddie Shaw (born March 20, 1937 – died January 29, 2018) was an American Chicago blues musician. He was a talented tenor saxophonist, a person who arranges music (an arranger), and a leader of a band (a bandleader). Eddie Shaw was famous for leading Howlin' Wolf's band, called the Wolf Gang. He took over the band in 1972 and continued to lead it even after Howlin' Wolf passed away in 1976.
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The Early Life of Eddie Shaw
Eddie Shaw was born in a place called Stringtown, Mississippi. When he was a teenager, he loved playing the tenor saxophone. He often played with local blues musicians. Some of these musicians were Little Milton and Willie Love.
When he was only 14 years old, Eddie Shaw played in a jam session. This is when musicians get together and play music without much planning. He played with Ike Turner's band in Greenville, Mississippi. Later, when Eddie was 20, he was playing a show in Itta Bena, Mississippi. A very famous blues musician named Muddy Waters saw him play. Muddy Waters was so impressed that he asked Eddie to join his band in Chicago.
Playing with Blues Legends
Eddie Shaw joined Muddy Waters's band and shared the tenor saxophone spot with another musician, A.C. Reed. In 1972, Eddie joined the band of another blues legend, Howlin' Wolf. He became the leader of Howlin' Wolf's band, the Wolf Gang.
Eddie Shaw also helped write many songs for Howlin' Wolf. He wrote half of the songs on the album The Back Door Wolf, which came out in 1973. After Howlin' Wolf died in 1976, Eddie Shaw continued to lead the band. He even took over the club where they often played, the 1815 Club, and renamed it Eddie's Place.
Eddie Shaw also recorded albums with the Wolf Gang. These included Living Chicago Blues Vol. 1 and Have Blues – Will Travel. He also made his own albums with different record companies.
Eddie Shaw's Own Music
Eddie Shaw started his own recording career in the late 1970s. He appeared on a collection of blues songs called Living Chicago Blues in 1978. He then released his own albums. He made music for companies like Evidence, Rooster Blues, and Wolf Records.
Eddie Shaw helped the blues music world in many ways. He helped arrange songs for a famous album called The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions. This album featured well-known musicians like Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, and Ringo Starr. Eddie also played with many other famous blues artists. These included Hound Dog Taylor, Freddie King, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam. He played on Magic Sam's album Black Magic.
His Family and Legacy
Eddie Shaw had two sons who also became involved in music and acting. His son, Eddie "Vaan" Shaw Jr., was born on November 6, 1955. He joined the Wolf Gang band and played on some of his father's albums. He was known for playing a special guitar with three necks. Eddie "Vaan" Shaw Jr. has also released his own albums, including Morning Rain and The Trail of Tears.
Another son, Stan Shaw, born in 1952, became a character actor. He has appeared in many movies and TV shows in Hollywood, California.
Eddie Shaw also appeared in a movie himself. He was in the 2007 film Honeydripper.
Eddie Shaw passed away in January 2018 in Chicago. He was 80 years old.
Awards and Honors
Eddie Shaw received many honors for his contributions to blues music:
- In 2011, a special marker was placed on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Benoit, Mississippi. This marker honored Eddie Shaw's musical journey.
- He won the Blues Music Award twice. He won in 2013 and 2014 for being the best horn player.
- On May 3, 2014, the mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, declared it "Eddie Shaw Day" in the city.
- In 2014, Eddie Shaw was added to the Blues Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor for blues musicians.
Discography
Here are some of the albums Eddie Shaw released:
- 1982: Movin' and Groovin' Man
- 1986: King of the Road
- 1992: In the Land of the Crossroads
- 1995: Home Alone
- 1996: The Blues Is Nothing but Good News!
- 1997: Can't Stop Now
- 1999: Too Many Highways
- 2005: Give Me Time
- 2012: Still Riding High (with his band, the 757 Allstars)
Here are some albums he played on with Howlin' Wolf:
- The Real Folk Blues (1965)
- Live and Cookin' (1972)
- The Back Door Wolf (1973)
Here are some albums he played on with Magic Sam:
- Magic Sam Live (1981)
- The Magic Sam Legacy (1989)
- Rockin' Wild in Chicago (2002)
See also
- List of Chicago blues musicians
