DISCOGRAPHY 1995-2012 (13CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Helena, Arkansas, Smith learned to play harmonica at age
seventeen after moving to Chicago. Smith's influences included listening
to 78's and the KFFA King Biscuit radio show, some of which were broadcast
from Helena's Miller Theater, where he saw guitar player Joe Willie
Wilkins, and harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson II.
On a Chicago visit in 1953 his mother took him to hear Muddy Waters at
the Zanzibar club, where Henry Strong's harp playing inspired him to learn
that instrument. In 1956, at the age of eighteen he formed a trio. He led
the band on harp, Bobby Lee Burns played guitar and Clifton James was the
drummer.
As "Little Willie" Smith he played in the Rocket Four, led by blues
guitarist Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and made recordings that were later
reissued on the Delmark label. In 1955 Smith played harmonica on Bo
Diddley's recording of the Willie Dixon song "Diddy Wah Diddy" for the
Checker label.
Drummers were in more demand than harp players so Smith switched to drums
and starting playing with Muddy Waters band. Smith recorded with Muddy on
the 1960 album Muddy Waters Sings Big Bill Broonzy, a tribute to Big Bill
Broonzy.
In 1961, Smith became a regular member of Muddy Waters' band, which then
consisted of George "Mojo" Buford, Luther Tucker, Pat Hare and Otis Spann.
By the mid '60s, he'd left the band for more steady work as a cab driver.
In the late '60s he rejoined Muddy's band and remained a permanent member
until 1980.....
(Wikipedia)