Bobby Radcliff
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
September 22, 1951
Bobby Radcliff | |
|---|---|
 Bobby Radcliff, June 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Robert Radcliff Ewan September 22, 1951 Washington, D.C., United States |
| Genres | Blues, rhythm and blues, jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | A-Okay, Black Top, Rollo, Krellno |
| Website | www |
Bobby Radcliff (born Robert Radcliff Ewan, September 22, 1951) is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Radcliff was raised in Bethesda, Maryland and started playing guitar in his early teens.[1]
He is known for his work in "The Yarbs", under bandleader Chris Pestalozzi. The band played cover songs, standards, and originals, crossing many genres, with an emphasis on original compositions and blues. In 1968, Radcliff also joined "The Northside Blues Band", alongside Brett Littlehales (harmonica), Guy Dorsey (keyboard), William Bowman (bass), and Van Holmead (drums).[citation needed]
Radcliff's inspirations include Butterfield Blues Band (Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, and Elvin Bishop), but also draws from country guitarist James Burton (from Ricky Nelson's band), Kenneth "Thumbs" Carllile (from Jimmy Dickens band), Don Rich (from Buck Owen's Band), Steve Cropper, Slim Harpo, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, The Ventures, and many others. He was also influenced by the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and many other British Blues Bands. Radcliff met many blues musicians during this period, such as Freddy King and Buddy Guy (1968).
Early career and influences
Radcliff was born in Washington, D.C., United States. A seminal moment in Radcliff's musical development came when he attended the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969. It was there he saw Magic Sam for the first time. This performance inspired Radcliff to form his band – a trio he modeled after Sam's band. Radcliff was so inspired by Magic Sam that he soon boarded a bus to Chicago, venturing to meet his newfound guitar idol. Radcliff arrived in Chicago only to learn Magic Sam had suffered a major heart attack and was in Cook County Hospital. Radcliff sat by his bedside until Sam woke up. He explained that he had seen him at the Ann Arbor Festival and Sam was receptive to young Radcliff's pilgrimage to meet him.[2]
After Sam recovered, he invited Radcliff back to his home at 1513 South Harding Street, in the heart of Chicago's West Side. Sam introduced Radcliff to the West Side Chicago blues scene at such venues as The Alex Club (1815 Roosevelt Road) and the L & A Lounge on Pulaski (where Sam was a part-time bartender when he couldn't get enough work as a musician). They also went to The Key Largo where Otis Rush often performed and The Flash Lounge where Sam introduced Radcliff to Eddy Clearwater.[3]
Some of the other musicians that Sam introduced Radcliff to in Chicago include: Mighty Joe Young (guitar), Ernie Gatewood (who also sometimes played bass for Magic Sam), Otis Rush, Jimmy Dawkins, Mac Thompson (bass), Letha Jones (widow of pianist Johnny Jones), and many other musicians. Radcliff often witnessed Sam performing with the above-mentioned musicians and many others.[3]
Over the next six months, Radcliff visited Sam several times, staying with Sam's family in Chicago. One of the most important messages that Sam gave to Radcliff was to listen to all kinds of music (country, jazz, pop, classics, etc.) and to continue to be broadminded about the music he listened to because developing 'your style' was important, along with continuing to grow as a musician. Sam died in December 1969 at the age of 32 from a heart attack. Radcliff and Dick Waterman attended Sam's funeral together.[3]
By this time, Radcliff's style was infused with Magic Sam's unique sound. However, the breadth of Radcliff's music drew no boundaries his stylistic voice emerged, helping his career blossom. Writer Dave Hussong[4] Vintage Guitar Magazine (1990) touches on Radcliff's expansive musical range as a vocalist, instrumentalist, and live performer:
"Unencumbered by style restrictions, Radcliff brings a sense of intensity and conviction, both instrumentally and vocally (the latter being an area where many 90's interpreters fall face down) that puts his, and this, live performance into a very special league of its own."[5]
