Forest City Joe facts for kids

Joe Bennie Pugh (born July 10, 1926 – died April 3, 1960), known as Forrest City Joe or Forest City Joe, was an American blues musician. He was famous for playing the harmonica really well. He played with other big blues stars, including Muddy Waters in his first band. Even though he didn't record many songs, many people thought Joe was one of the best harmonica players of his time.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Joe Bennie Pugh was born in Hughes, Arkansas, near Forrest City. He grew up working on a cotton farm. From a young age, he taught himself to play the harmonica and other instruments. He started helping entertainers and performing in local places.

In the early 1940s, Joe began touring more around Arkansas. His harmonica playing was greatly inspired by another blues musician named John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson. Joe first copied Williamson's style and singing, but over time, he created his own special sound.

Later in the 1940s, Joe met Big Joe Williams, another blues artist. They performed together in the St. Louis area. In 1947, Joe started using the stage name Forrest City Joe. He then moved to Chicago to play music there.

Recording and Collaborations

On December 2, 1948, Joe recorded some songs for Aristocrat Records (which later became Chess Records). This was his only recording session with them. Muddy Waters was supposed to play guitar, but instead, Joe recorded with a jazz guitarist named J. C. Coles. Only one single was released from these recordings because the guitarist's playing made some songs difficult to use.

Joe and Muddy Waters had played together before. Waters remembered Joe as a "great harp player" (meaning harmonica player). In 1949, after Sonny Boy Williamson I passed away, Joe's single was released. It featured the songs "Memory of Sonny Boy" and "A Woman on Every Street." It was credited to Forest City Joe, but it didn't sell very well.

Joe then moved to Memphis for a short time. He performed on radio shows with famous blues musicians like Howlin' Wolf and Rice Miller (who also used the name Sonny Boy Williamson). He also worked with a band called Willie Love's Three Aces.

Return to Chicago and Later Years

In 1949, Joe returned to Chicago. He lived on South Ellis Avenue, and his home became a place where other musicians would meet up. Joe played in a band led by Otis Spann. They often performed at a place called the Tick Tock Lounge. This band stayed together for four years until Otis Spann left to join Muddy Waters's new band.

In 1955, Joe moved back to Arkansas. He mostly stopped playing music regularly, except for a few shows with Willie Cobbs in smaller venues. In August 1959, a music researcher named Alan Lomax found Joe. Joe recorded music one last time for the Atlantic label. After this, Joe started performing more often and was planning to return to Chicago.

Sadly, Joe Bennie Pugh died on April 3, 1960, when he was only 33 years old. He was in a truck accident after coming back from a dance in Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas.

In 1995, a collection of his songs was released. It was called Downhome Delta Harmonica and included all of Joe's recorded music, along with songs by another musician named Polka Dot Slim.