On Tuesday November 21, a true blues guitar legend Robert Lockwood Jr., passed away at the age of 91 from respiratory failure. Lockwood Jr. had been in a Cleveland hospital since November 3 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Lockwood Jr., a blues landmark who learned how to play the guitar at the crossroads from, yes, Robert Johnson. As a boy, Lockwood had a close relationship with Johnson when the blues guitar hero had a decade long romance with his mother. Considering himself to be the symbolic stepson of Johnson, Lockwood Jr. added "Jr." to his name as a tribute to his mentor.
A look back at some of Robert Lockwood Jr's memorable accomplishments:
* Learned how to play guitar from Robert Johnson
* He gave B. B. King guitar lessons
* Was a mainstay of the studio bands at Chess Records
* He backed Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sunnyland Slim and Little Walter
* Lockwood influenced the electric Chicago blues sound and went on to shape rock ’n’ roll.
* Featured in Robert Palmer's Documentary "Deep Blues."
Lockwood Jr. said about his guitar playing, “I never did want to sound like anybody else. What I play sounds easy, but you just try it. It’s not easy.”
On Lockwood's website it states that his wake will be open to the public at the Old Stone Church located on Public Square in downtown Cleveland on December 1, 2006 from the hours of 4pm - 8pm. The funeral will be held on December 2nd at 11am at the Old Stone Church. It also say that fans may send cards and flowers to the Funeral Director at the House of Wills located at 14711 Harvard Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44128.
According to his wife Mary Lockwood, "Robert's fans, young and old, meant a great deal to enriching his life. Please take this opportunity to say farewell to a man who meant a great deal us all."
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