Blues Guitarist James Wheeler Dead At 77

12/29/2014
. (The Blues) Guitarist James Wheeler has died at the age of 77. The latecomer to the blues, who started playing in his late teens, enjoyed a career that spanned 51 years. He'd been hosting a regular jam night at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago until his passing.

He moved from Georgia to Chicago in 1956, joining elder brother, harpist Golden 'Big' Wheeler, in the city. That led to an interest in the blues and he formed his band the Jaguars in 1963, leading to work with B.B. King, Otis Rush, Otis Clay and others.

He joined Clay's band the OCBs in 1972, then became a member of the Impressions three years later. He was working a day job in 1986 when he received a call from Rush to play a one-weekend gig that became a seven-year occupation, and included his first lead vocal performances. He then joined Mississippi Heat and recorded three albums with them in the 1990s, before continuing with Magic Slim. Read more here.

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