Sonny Rhodes passes on

Another day another death. This time blues singer and lap steel guitar player Sonny Rhodes at the age of 81. Sonny was perhaps the last of a lengthy list of turban wearing American musicians, others being Chuck Willis, Eddie Bo, Sam the Sham, Eddie Daniels and Dr Lonnie Smith (who died in 2021 and who should have been included in my list the other day). Born in Texas Sonny originally performed under the name of Clarence Smith and made one record for the Domino label in Austin, but changed his name after settling in Oakland after a spell in the US Navy. His influences included L C Robinson, who taught him how to play lap steel guitar, T Bone Walker and B B King. He recorded a couple of records for the Galaxy label but, frustrated by his lack of success, he set up his own Rhodes-Way label and released the album 'Just Blues'. He went on to tour Europe on several occasions and recorded for a variety of labels including Ichiban and Kingsnake. I saw Sonny play at the 100 Club in 1994 when he was in his prime and again at the King Biscuit Festival (pictured) in 2014 (although on this occasion he was wearing a cap). This time he had to be helped to the stage but sounded fine on numbers such as 'Why Do You Treat Me So Cold' and 'I Go To The River'. RIP Sonny.