Song:Down On Bended Knee
Album:When The Rain Starts Fallin'
Johnny Copeland was another excellent blues guitarist who was appreciated later in life because young musicians were fans. This 1987 Rounder comp is a good introduction to his music. He was born Mar. 27, 1937 in Haynesville, LA. His father died when he was young and the family moved to Houston. Copeland was already playing guitar when at age 13 he saw T-Bone Walker performing in a club. He formed The Dukes Of Rhythm with his pal Joe Hughes and they were house band at Shady's Playhouse in Houston through the 50s. He also toured with Albert Collins and played with other acts. Copeland first recorded in 1958 but bounced around various labels through the 60s with mostly regional success. He moved to New York City in 1974 and had to take a day job for a while. Copeland's big break came with the 1981 album Copeland Special on Rounder Records. This version of his song Down On Bended Knees is on that album and this comp is good for beginners. He got even more exposure when Stevie Ray Vaughan took him on tour in 1985. This introduced him to a whole new audience. Copeland won a Grammy in 1986 for the album with Robert Cray & Albert Collins called Showdown. He also recorded for Verve in the 90s. Copeland was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in 1994 and was put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Meanwhile he was put on the L-VAD device in 1995 and went back on tour. Johnny Copeland received a heart transplant on Jan. 1, 1997 but it developed a valve defect and he died on July 3, 1997 at age 60. His daughter Shemekia Copeland continues the family tradition with her own blues CDs. Here's Johnny Copeland performing Devil's Hand in Germany 1984. It should give you a pretty good idea of his tremendous energy and musicianship.
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