Eddie Kirkland

Biography

Jamaican Performing & Recording Artists

Date of Birth (DOB): 8/16/1928
From: Jamaica
Best Known for: Blues Guitarist accompanied John Lee Hooker, worked with Otis Redding

Bio: b. 16 August 1928, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. The career of guitarist Eddie Kirkland spans 40 years and a variety of musical styles. Soon after his birth the family relocated to the southern states of America and at the age of 15 he took a day job at the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. He met John Lee Hooker and became his regular accompanist both on the club circuit and on record, proving to be one of the few who could follow Hooker's erratic style. Kirkland's first recordings were made in 1952 and throughout the decade he recorded for RPM, King, Cobra, Fortune and Lupine. In 1961 he made his first deviation from "down-home" blues when he recorded with King Curtis and Oliver Nelson for Prestige. In the mid-60s he moved to Macon, Georgia, where he turned to soul music, eventually signing to Otis Redding's enterprise Volt, in 1965. Redding used Kirkland in his touring band, but Kirkland's role as a soul artist was never more than minor. In the 70s, he returned to his blues roots, recording for Pete Lowery's Trix label, both solo and with small bands, and has since maintained a heavy touring schedule in the USA and in Europe. Fresh sounding material was issued on Lonely Street, although his vocals now leave a lot to be desired, he is playing with some younger musicians, who in turn are pushing him forward. Tab Benoit and Sonny Landreth are both featured.

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