Michael Coleman (blues musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Coleman
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|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1956 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | November 2, 2014 (aged 58) |
| Genres | Chicago blues, electric blues, soul blues, funk, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | Mid 1970s–2014 |
| Labels | Delmark |
Michael Coleman (born June 24, 1956 – died November 2, 2014) was a talented Chicago blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was so good that Guitar World magazine named him one of the top 50 blues musicians in the world! Michael released five albums on his own and also played with famous musicians like James Cotton, Aron Burton, Junior Wells, John Primer, and Malik Yusef.
Contents
About Michael Coleman
His Early Life and Career
Michael Coleman was born in 1956 in Chicago, Illinois. He started playing music when he was very young, often with his father, Cleother "Baldhead Pete" Williams. As a teenager, he played with a band called Midnight Sun and with blues artists Aron Burton and Johnny Dollar in Chicago.
By 1975, Michael became a full-time professional musician. In 1979, he toured Europe with Eddy Clearwater. This led to him joining James Cotton's band, where he played for almost ten years! Michael played on three of James Cotton's albums, including Live from Chicago: Mr. Superharp Himself.
Becoming a Solo Artist
Michael also played with other blues legends like Junior Wells, Buster Benton, and Jimmy Dawkins. In the 1980s, he worked with Syl Johnson. In the early 1990s, Michael decided to start his own solo career.
In 1991, he formed his own band called the Backbreakers. His album Shake Your Booty was released in 1995 by Wolf Records, an Austrian record label.
His first album released in the U.S. was Do Your Thing!, which came out in 2000 on Delmark Records. This album had a mix of blues, soul, and funk songs. It also included "cover versions" (his own versions) of songs by artists like Jimmy Reed, Otis Redding, and Isaac Hayes. People especially loved his amazing guitar playing on this album.
In 2006, Michael Coleman led a group of musicians from Delmark Records on an album called Blues Brunch at the Mart.
Later Years and Health
Later in his life, Michael Coleman faced some health challenges. However, he worked hard to improve his health by changing his lifestyle and losing a lot of weight. He even started his 2010 Chicago Blues Tour by performing at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago.
Sadly, Michael Coleman passed away in November 2014 when he was 58 years old.
Music He Made
Solo Albums
| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Back Breaking Blues (Chicago Blues Sessions Vol. 18) | Wolf (Austria) |
| 1995 | Self-Rising Blues | SAAR (Italy) |
| 1995 | Shake Your Booty | Wolf Records (Austria) |
| 1997 | You Can't Take What I Got | SAAR (Italy) |
| 2000 | Do Your Thing! | Delmark |
| 2002 | Chicago Blues Festival 1991 | Black & Blue |
| 2006 | Blues Brunch at the Mart | Delmark |
| 2008 | Harmony Mill | Minefield |
Working with Other Musicians
Michael Coleman also played on these albums with other artists:
- High Compression, James Cotton (1984)
- Live from Chicago Mr. Superharp Himself, James Cotton (1986)
- Harp Attack!, James Cotton (1990)
- Poor Man Blues, John Primer (1991)
- The Great Chicago Fire: A Cold Day in Hell, Malik Yusef (2003)
- "Wouldn't You Like to Ride", Malik Yusef (2005)
More to Explore
In Spanish: Michael Coleman (guitarrista) para niños
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of electric blues musicians
- List of soul-blues musicians
