Tags
Allman Brothers Band, B.B King, Billy Boy Arnold, Bo Diddley, Good Morning Schoolgirl, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Curtis "Sonny Boy" Williamson, Junior Wells, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, The Unbroken Circle, The Yardbirds, Willie Dixon
I recently interviewed Billy Boy Arnold following a show at New York City’s City Winery. This is the third and final part of that interview (see part 1 and part 2.) As a solo artist Billy Boy recorded “I Wish You Would” and “I Ain’t Got You” which were famously covered by the Yardbirds. (Bo Diddley’s “She’s Fine, She’s Mine” with Billy Boy blowing his harp was the first recording of the song that became “You Don’t Love Me,” recorded as an extended jam by the Allman Brothers and forming the entire second side of “At Fillmore East.” That story will be in the book The Unbroken Circle.)
Early blues musicians frequently recycled music and “floating verses.” That began to change in the 1920’s when record companies began recording the blues and valued originality. Billy Boy Arnold learned from some of the greatest blues artists ever, and in a recent conversation he talked about his influences and originality in the blues.