Song:Kidney Stew Blues
Album:Mr. Cleanhead Blows His Greatest Hits
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson could sing and play the sax. He is best known for a few R&B hits from the late 40s including Kidney Stew Blues. His music at the time was similar to the jump blues of Louis Jordan. But Vinson could play any kind of music. He was born Dec. 18, 1917 in Houston. Vinson learned to play sax in high school. He was in Milton Larkins' orchestra with jazz legends Arnett Cobb and Illinois Jacquet. He learned to sing touring with blues legend Big Bill Broonzy. He joined The Cootie Williams Orchestra in 1942 and sang lead on Cherry Red and Somebody's Got To Go. Vinson started his own big band in 1945 and signed with Mercury Records. Old Maid Boogie and Kidney Stew Blues topped the R&B charts in 1947. It was actually a double sided single. Vinson moved to King Records in 1949. His hits included Somebody Done Stole My Cherry Red and Person To Person. He got the name Cleanhead after a hair straightener caused him to lose all his hair. In the 50s Vinson recorded jump blues for Mercury and jazz for Bethlehem Records. This CD from Jasmine has all his hits from the 40s and 50s. Vinson moved to Los Angeles in the early 60s and joined The Johnny Otis Revue. After an appearance with Otis on the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival, Vinson got into touring and recording for Flying Dutchman, Philips and Muse. Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson died on July 2, 1988 at age 70. Here's Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and Eddie Durham performing Kidney Stew Blues on the 1980 CBC TV series Oscar Peterson and Friends.
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