Linsey Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linsey Alexander
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Alexander in performance, 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Linsey Alexander |
| Born | July 23, 1942 Holly Springs, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 2025 (aged 82) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Chicago blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1960-2025 |
| Labels | Delmark, Linsey Alexander, the L.A.B.B. |
| Associated acts | Eddie Clearwater |
Linsey Alexander (born July 23, 1942 – died February 22, 2025) was an American blues musician. He was a talented songwriter, singer, and guitarist. For almost 20 years, he was a well-known performer in Chicago's North Side music clubs. He played with many famous blues artists, including Buddy Guy and B.B. King.
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Linsey Alexander's Early Life and Music Journey
Linsey Alexander was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi. This area is famous for its blues music history. His family worked hard on farms, growing crops. When he was 12, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his mother and sister.
How Linsey Started Playing Music
Linsey's interest in music began when a family friend, Otis, taught him some guitar basics. Otis later left his guitar for Linsey as a gift. Linsey quickly learned to play. As a teenager, he focused on singing. Later, he became very good at playing the guitar. He was inspired by blues, country, and rock and roll music. Some of his early heroes were Rosco Gordon, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley.
Moving to Chicago and Finding His Sound
In 1959, Linsey moved to Chicago. He sold his first guitar to help pay for his bus ticket. In Chicago, he worked many different jobs. He worked at a car dealership, a gas station, and as a cook. He later received a pension after an injury while working for the Chicago Police Department.
Linsey soon found himself in Chicago's exciting South Side music scene. He heard soul artists like McKinley Mitchell and blues legends like Howlin' Wolf. He bought a new guitar and started his first band, the Hot Tomatoes. They even entered a talent show!
He then formed another band called the Equitable Band. They played at a club called the Launching Pad for about eight years. Later, an agent helped him get gigs at popular North Side blues clubs. These included B.L.U.E.S. and Kingston Mines.
Linsey became a regular performer at Kingston Mines. He also sold his own CDs to tourists. He performed for audiences in New York, Canada, and Europe. He even appeared at the Mississippi Blues Festival.
Linsey Alexander's Unique Music Style
Linsey Alexander was known as a "real-deal bluesman." He had a deep, strong voice and powerful guitar playing. He played his own style of electric blues. This style was influenced by soul, R&B, and funk music.
His Songs and Performances
Linsey wrote many original songs. These songs helped keep the blues genre alive. He often added humor to his music and shows. This made him stand out from other blues players. People said he played his guitar with the energy of someone much younger.
One critic noted that Linsey's singing sometimes sounded more like talking. His guitar sounds were often "distorted," meaning they had a rough, edgy quality.
Music critic David Whiteis said Linsey's guitar playing showed a "lively imagination." He was also very good at songwriting. Whiteis described Linsey's song "Saving Robert Johnson" as a "theatrical story set to music." This song talked about the famous blues "crossroads" myth. In this song, Linsey even brought the blues into modern times. He sang about emailing the devil and poking him on Facebook!
Karen Hanson, a blues historian, wrote about Linsey in 2007. She said he played classic Chicago blues. He often added jokes to his shows. She also mentioned that he would walk through the crowd with his guitar. He would stop to chat with people. Linsey was one of the busiest blues musicians in Chicago. He sometimes played six nights a week!
His live shows were described as "loud, raw, rocked out and wild." Many critics said his performances were "not to be missed."
In 2014, Linsey's band was called the Linsey Alexander Blues Band. It included Linsey on vocals and guitar, Breezy Rodio on guitar, and Ronald Simmons on bass.
Awards and Recognition
Linsey Alexander received several awards for his music:
- His first international album, Been There Done That, was called "pure blues of the finest quality." It was named "Blues CD of the Year" by A1 Blues Podcast.
- In 2012, Big City Blues gave him a "Best Fan Interaction" award.
- On June 8, 2014, Linsey Alexander was honored. He was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. This special event took place at the blues club Buddy Guy's Legends.
Music Albums (Discography)
Linsey Alexander released several albums during his career:
- Someone's Cookin' in My Kitchen (2004)
- My Days Are So Long (2006 [2009])
- If You Ain't Got It (2010)
- Been There Done That (2012)
- Come Back Baby (2014)
- Two Cats (2017)
- Live At Rosa's (2020)
Death
Linsey Alexander passed away on February 22, 2025, in Chicago. He was 82 years old.
