Magic Sam

Born in Mississippi but moving to Chicago at an early age, Magic Sam was taken in by his uncle, harmonica player Shakey Jake. They created a new style of blues in the late '50s, reflecting the dramatic life of the West Side's squalid ghetto, blending the Chicago blues of Muddy Waters with the sounds of gospel, and emphasizing solo guitar playing in the Californian style. Magic Sam records his West Side Soul for the Cobra label, scoring local hits with "All Your Love" and "Easy Baby". Notable festival appearances in Europe and the U.S., two superb albums for Delmark in 1968-1969, a contract with John Mayall... the future seemed bright for Magic Sam when he died of a heart attack at the age of thirty-two. His role in modernizing Chicago blues and his influence remain enormous.