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Tributes are paid to blues musician Eddie Kirkland

Tributes are paid to blues musician Eddie Kirkland

Tributes have been paid to the blues musician Eddie Kirkland who has died aged 87.

Mr. Kirkland rose to fame in the blues scene of Detroit in the 1950s.

While he only released a dozen solo albums he was associated with better known figures in blues and soul, such as Otis Redding, Little Richard and John Lee Hooker, in his capacity as a session musician or band leader.

Mr. Kirkland was known as Gypsy of the Blues mainly because he spent such long periods on the road touring. It was not uncommon for him to spend up to 40 weeks a year on tour – sometimes having to sleep in his car because of having no money.

On stage he was famed for his acrobatic performances – sometimes performing somersaults and even, on occasions, playing while standing on his head.

Born in Jamaica, Mr. Kirkland was brought up in Alabama where he sang in a church choir and learned to play the guitar under the guidance of a bluesman known as Blind Murphy.

After serving in the US Army in the Second World War he moved to Detroit where he developed his music career.

Despite his age Mr. Kirkland insisted on driving himself to gigs.

He died after his car was struck by a bus near Tampa in Florida.

 

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