Pinetop Perkins: Last of the Giants

May 3, 2006

When making a living as a bluesman, there is no such thing as a mandatory retirement age. That’s a good thing for 93-year-old blues pianist Pinetop Perkins.  It is an even better thing for those who love the blues.
Perkins will come to Traverse City on May 6 to headline an all-star line-up of blues greats at the Dennos Museum. Joining Perkins will be the legendary Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith who, at 70, is still a kid in the eyes of Perkins.
Pinetop Perkins is among the last of the giants living from his generation. He was 78 years old before he went out on his own as a solo artist. Perkins began earning a living as a bluesman at the age of 13, performing as a sideman for 65 years.
He spent five years with Sonny Boy Williamson, and then did stints with slide guitar icon Robert Nighthawk, the great B.B. King and many others before replacing the legendary blues pianist Otis Spann (who had passed away) in 1969 in Muddy Waters’ band. For 12 years Perkins anchored the legend’s band with his signature piano playing that led to six Grammy Awards (critics have often pointed to the fact that Muddy Waters was at his best during the years Perkins was at his side).

MOVING ON
In 1980 Perkins left Waters (who passed away a couple years later) to form the Legendary Blues Band, made up of Muddy Waters alumni that included Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith.
“Those guys were great. I actually got a chance to jam with them one night when we were playing in the same town, I believe in North Carolina,” said Eric Clapton in a published report. “Pinetop is one of the all time greats. Legend has it had he not hurt his hand he would have been among the best ever to play the guitar.”
Perkins did start out as guitar player and a freak accident made it difficult for him to hold a guitar so he taught himself the piano, and the rest is history.
In 1988 Perkins, at the young age of 78, decided to go solo and released his first album. So, does Perkins have any regrets about not going solo from the start of his career?
“Nah, for me it has always been about the music,” said Perkins. “I played with the best. My name might not have been on the marquee in those days, but people knew who I was, I let my piano speak for me.”
Ike Turner agrees.
“Shit, Top was no sideman. Even when he was playing with the greats, he was the boss on the stage; everyone knew it. Even Muddy knew it,” said Turner. “Top not only put the boogie into the piano, he put in the woogie. When it comes to the piano it starts at the Top and the rest of us follow. I was never more proud than last year when he invited me to be with him when he was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.”

MONIKER
As for the name (he was born Joe Willie Perkins), he took on “Pinetop” to honor his teacher Clarence “Pinetop” Smith. Smith took Perkins under his wing, and as a tribute to his mentor, Perkins crafted the song “Pinetop’s Boogie” that became a huge hit for Smith, and remains as one of the most popular tunes from the boogie-woogie era.
Pinetop Perkins is the last of the great living Mississippi bluesmen still performing. His playing is as good today as it was during the Muddy Waters’ heyday.
“I am getting better. Maybe in a few more years I might finally be at my best,” laughs Perkins. “You’re never to old to learn something.”
So does Perkins figure he will retire anytime soon?
“Nah, this ain’t a business or living that you quit. There is only way out of this and that’s when the guy upstairs calls your name,” said Perkins. “Anyways I am just getting started -- why would I want to quit now?”
Good point. Pinetop Perkins is a must-see for the aficionado of the blues. He is the last of the first-generation blues greats still on the circuit. His fingers hold 80 years of blues history. There is no need for him to write it down-his playing speaks that history-from Smith to Sonny Boy to B.B. to Muddy with Pinetop in the middle of it all.

BIG EYES
Joining Perkins is Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith, a legend in his own right. Originally making his name as Muddy Waters’ drummer (Smith joined Waters in 1959), he co-founded the Legendary Blues Band with Pinetop in 1980. The band would go on to tour with Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. They were the street musicians in “The Blues Brothers” also.
So where did the name ‘Big Eyes’ come from?
“You can blame Muddy,” said Smith. “He said to me, ‘hey we gotta give you a name; how about Puffy Eyes’? The other guys in the band laughed, and eventually we agreed on Big Eyes.”
While ‘Big Eyes’ made a name for himself on the drums, he has handed the sticks over to his son Kenny. He has proven that he is also an accomplished harmonica player and vocalist. Proof will be given with the release of his new album “Way Back” that features many greats including Pinetop and James Cotton.
The new album will be released at the Milliken Auditorium (it hits the streets May 8) when ‘Big Eyes’ brings his band in to perform with Pinetop.
A few tickets remain for this great night of the blues. The Milliken Auditorium and Dennos Museum are celebrating their 15th anniversary and there is no better way than with these two greats. For additional information visit www.dennosmuseum.org or call the box office at (231) 995-1553.