Blues Search Engine: Charlie Musselwhite

Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 31, 1944, Charlie Musselwhite moved to Memphis at an early age and became immersed in the city's diverse musical culture. Teenaged Charlie Musselwhite often saw Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash cruising the hot spots around town. Living across the street from rockabilly legends Johnny Burnette and Slim Rhodes, Charlie Musselwhite was on the invitation list to parties hosted by Elvis. At 13, his father gave him his first guitar. After teaching himself a few chords, he was determined to know more. In his teens, he befriended several of Memphis' legendary traditional bluesmen, including guitarist Furry Lewis and the surviving members of the Memphis Jug Band, most notably Will Shade. Shade took the time to tutor Charlie Musselwhite in the finer points of guitar and harmonica. At the age of 18, Charlie headed for Chicago. Living in the basement of Delmark records with Big Joe Williams (who instructed Charlie further in the ways of drinking hard and playing deep), he met everybody including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Little Walter and Big Walter Horton. The kings and giants of Chicago blues accepted him into the clubs and even onstage; he became an adopted "son" and his considerable talents were further honed. Charlie Musselwhite's talents have been recognized on many fronts. His body of work comprises over 20 albums of his own, and he has contributed to countless others including guesting on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy award-winning Longing In Their Hearts; The Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy-winning Spirit of the Century; Tom Waits' Mule Variations and even playing the driving harmonica on INXS' Suicide Blonde. He was the longtime compadre and musical partner to his friend John Lee Hooker; in addition to using Charlie Musselwhite's harp playing on several of his albums, John Lee Hooker was also best man when Charlie Musselwhite married Henrietta. Their deep and abiding friendship lasted until John Lee Hooker's death. Musical institutions have honoured Charlie Musselwhite, too. With 14 W.C. Handy awards to his credit and 6 Grammy nominations, he is firmly entrenched in musical history. Charlie Musselwhite has also been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Monterey Blues Festival and the San Javier Jazz Festival in Spain and the Mississippi Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.