RIP Snooks Eaglin

Legendary New Orleans guitarist Ford "Snooks" Eaglin died yesterday at age 72 of a heart attack after falling ill last week. I featured Eaglin as song of the day last June but The Human Jukebox is worth noting again. He was born Jan. 21, 1936 in New Orleans and was blinded by glaucoma as a child. He was given a guitar at age eight and was playing professionally with Allen Toussaint's group The Flamingoes in the 50s. The nickname came from the well known radio character Baby Snooks. Eaglin recorded for producer Dave Bartholomew and Imperial Records in the early 60s and was hailed for his fluid guitar style. In the 70s he recorded for the swedish label Sonet and though he was highly respected by musicians in New Orleans, he was mostly forgotten until rediscovered by Nauman & Hammond Scott and signed to their Black Top label in 1987. This exposed Eaglin to an all new audience and he continued to record until Black Top closed in 2002. His Black Top recordings are currently being reissued by the Japanese P-Vine label. He usually worked with former Meters bassist George Porter Jr. Eaglin retired but usually performed at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Snooks Eaglin was an important part of the New Orleans music scene for over 50 years and he will be missed. To see how great he was, just check out this video of Snooks Eaglin & George Porter Jr. performing Baby Please at the Lonestar Roadhouse in New Orleans. RIP Snooks Eaglin.