Song:Oh Baby
Album:More Blues On The South Side
Chicago blues harmonica master Billy Boy Arnold is yet another talented musician who quit the music business before being rediscovered by young musicians later in life. He was born Sept. 16, 1935 in Chicago. Harmonica great Sonny Boy Williamson was a neighbour. Young Billy knocked on his door and Sonny Boy proceeded to give him harmonica lessons. Unfortunately Williamson was murdered soon after. Arnold made his recording debut in 1952 on the Cool label who gave him the name Billy Boy Arnold. His big break came from jamming with Elias McDaniel. McDaniel signed with Chess in 1955 and Arnold was part of Bo Diddley's breakthrough recordings. Due to a misunderstanding with Leonard Chess, Arnold signed with the rival VeeJay label and recorded his classic I Wish You Would in 1958. The Yardbirds had a hit with the song in the 60s. Arnold left VeeJay and other than this classic 1963 album on Prestige produced by legendary producer Samuel Charters and featuring guitarist Mighty Joe Young, Arnold left the music business. He drove a bus and and then was a parole officer. He still performed occasionally and had a following in England. Arnold was rediscovered by Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer and his 1993 CD Back Where I Belong got him back on the map. He also got a big boost when Dave Alvin invited him to tour with The Blasters. Billy Boy Arnold continues to tour and record and his latest CD Billy Boy Sings Sonny Boy was released in May by Electro-Fi Records. He's yet another great blues musician worth checking out. Here's Billy Boy Arnold performing She Fooled Me in 1978.
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