RIP blues legend James Cotton

[Jerjo]

James Cotton, a longtime member of Muddy Waters' touring band and a solo artist in his own right, has died at the age of 81

http://www.npr.org/sections/therecor...ica-dies-at-81



Guess I'll be playing his High Compression album tonight. RIP to a grandmaster of genre

[mozo-pg]

That too bad - saw him live and he was great!

[spellbound]

Sad news. The James Cotton Blues Band opened for Johnny Winter when I saw them in the '70s. I have two of his albums set to listen to now, in remembrance of the master. Rest in peace, James.

[The Dark Elf]

Very sad. Saw him a few times, once with Muddy Waters, and then with his own band as an opening act for Stevie Ray Vaughan and also B.B. King.

[Supersonic Scientist]

Shame....another Master gone.

RIP James.

[ronmac]

Never got to see him. RIP.

[Lopez]

Saw him a couple times in the early 70s in Providence with his own band. Good introduction to the blues for this former teenager.

[Lino]

RIP James.

Went to see him and his band at a nightclub back in 84...crazy ass night. I met an old friend, he said he knew the nightclub owner, next thing you know he and I are in the green room with the band. Got introduced to James. sat down on the couch, I pulled out some weed to roll a joint. James picks up the bag, has a look and smell...asks what kind it is. I said "I don't really know, but the dealer called it Columbian Red". So we smoke the doob, and then he pulls out his bag and gives it to me to check out. Anyway, we sat around shootin the shit, but this old friend of mine, he was hammered and was getting a bit silly/obnoxious. I'm thinking to myself, good thing he knows the owner of the club, so we won't get kicked out if anything crazy happens. lol But after a while, James' posse/band slowly surround this guy to escort him out of the room and back in to the club....so I shook James hand and we exchanged niceties, and out we go. It was only 15 minutes later that I discovered that we were there totally uninvited!. LOL I said to the guy " I thought you knew the owner and all that?" He said, "I do, so I know where the room is where the bands hang out!" I says, "So we basically barged in there like we knew them, and started partying, rolling joints etc....fuck you were even picking at the food! without any invite or permission??" Well, you know there's no use talking sense to a drunk. lol I just thought to myself... I love James Cotton...he had incredible patience, was still very friendly...even tho two idiots walked in like they owned the place and knew everybody in the band. lol My friend was asking James about his cars, talking about engines, asking to see his harmonicas... and the whole time I'm thinking, "how lucky am I to have run in to this guy who got us in here!" Meanwhile reality was by the end, most of the guys looked like they wanted to kill this guy lol. anyway, never forget that night...superb show to boot!!

[Lopez]

Great story, Lino. With friends like that...

[FrippWire]

Never got to see him perform in concert but I've had the pleasure of hearing many of his recordings. So glad he made it to 81; I'm sick of musicians dying young.

A friend of mine has an original poster promoting a Doors concert in Detroit at Cobo Arena. James Cotton was one of the opening acts and his autograph is on the poster.

[tom unbound]

Saw him one time at Buffalo State playing in the gymnasium! Great show, walking in audience, etc !
(Lynard Skynerd on same bill, promoting first album, quite popular 'up north' back then.)

I forget who headlined, REO Speedwagon maybe ? But I'll never forget the James Cotton Blues Band !

[Trane]

RIP James