James Madison (musician)

(Redirected from James "Pee Wee" Madison)

James "Pee Wee" Madison (May 4, 1935 – January 7, 2008)[1] was an American blues guitar player.

James Madison
Madison at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival
Madison at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival
Background information
Also known asPee Wee Madison
Born(1935-05-04)May 4, 1935
Osceola, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 7, 2008(2008-01-07) (aged 72)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresBlues
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentGuitar

Biography

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Born in Osceola, Arkansas, he moved to Chicago in the late 1950s, molding his musicianship after that of Little Walter.[2] His big chance came when he joined the band of Muddy Waters in 1963, replacing guitarist Pat Hare who was incarcerated for killing his girlfriend.[3]

Starting in 1964, Madison played on most of Muddy Waters' recordings. He played with Muddy Waters' band until the ending of his world tour in 1973, mostly playing rhythm guitar on an upside-down Fender Mustang.[4]

While traveling through Illinois with Muddy Waters on October 26, 1969, Madison was injured in an automobile accident. He spent two days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. The young couple that collided with the band's vehicle on U.S. Route 45 were both killed in the accident.[5]

Madison died in Chicago on January 7, 2008, aged 72.[1]

Discography

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With Muddy Waters

With Otis Spann

References

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  1. ^ a b Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 163. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. ^ Eder, Bruce. "James "Pee Wee" Madison - Biography". allmusic. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  3. ^ Gordon, Robert (2003). Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters. Back Bay Books. pp. 202–203. ISBN 0-316-16494-1.
  4. ^ Schuller, Tim. "The Lost Tapes (1999)". Blind Pig Records. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  5. ^ Walker, James (26 October 2019). "50 years ago in the blues". Daily Journal. Retrieved 26 November 2021.