- Son Seals
Frank "Son" Seals (
August 13 1942 -December 20 2004 ) was an Americanblues guitarist andsinger .Career
He was born in 1942 in Osceola,
Arkansas where his father, Jim "Son" Seals, owned a small club. He began performing professionally by the age of 13, first as adrummer with Robert Nighthawk, and later as a guitarist. In 1959, he formed his own band which performed locally and he also toured withAlbert King . ["Son Seals, 62," by Joshua Cohen, "New York Press," 2004.]In 1971, he moved to
Chicago . His career took off after he was discovered byBruce Iglauer ofAlligator Records at the "Flamingo Club" inChicago's South Side . His debut, "The Son Seals Blues Band ", was released in 1973. Thealbum included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and "Hot Sauce". Seals followed up with 1976's "Midnight Son " and 1978's "Live and Burning". He continued releasing albums throughout the next two decades, all but one onAlligator Records . These included "Chicago Fire " (1980), "Bad Axe " (1984), "Living In The Danger Zone " (1991), "Nothing But The Truth " and "Live-Spontaneous Combustion " (1996). He received the W.C. Handy Award, an honor for best blues recording of the year, in 1985, 1987, and 2001.Author
Andrew Vachss was a friend of Seals, and used his influence to promote Seals' music. Vachss gave Seals severalcameo appearance s in hisnovel s [ [http://www.vachss.com/media/music/sons.html "Son Seals,"] excerpted from "Dead and Gone," by Andrew Vachss, Knopf, 2000.] and co-wrote songs with him for his 2000 album, "Lettin' Go". ["Keepin' On," Owen Cordle, "News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)," March 16, 2001.] Vachss dedicated the novel "Mask Market" to Seals' memory. ["Mask Market," by Andrew Vachss, Pantheon, 2006.]In 2002, Seals was featured on the
Bo Diddley tribute album "Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!", performing the song "My Story" (aka "Story of Bo Diddley").Seals had a number of problems in his life. He survived all but one of his 14
sibling s; and he was shot in the jaw by his wife. Also, one of his legs was amputated, due to complications from diabetes. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away performing live, and several of his prize guitars were stolen from his home. ["Veteran Guitarist Paying the Dues to Play the Blues," by Dave Hoekstra, "Chicago Sun-Times," February 3, 2002.]The band
Phish performed Seal's song "Funky Bitch " throughout their career, and brought him on stage on multiple occasions, turning a whole new generation on to his music.Seals died in 2004 from complications of diabetes; he was survived by his sister and fourteen children. ["Son Seals," Associated Press, December 21, 2004.]
ee also
*
List of blues musicians
*List of Chicago blues musicians After his health problems Seals used a number of different accompanying bands, such as James Soleberg's, Jimmy Vivino's, and Big Jim Kohler's, while on the road.References
External links
* [http://www.alligator.com/artists/bio.cfm?ArtistID=002 Alligator Records biography entry]
* [http://www.google.com/musica?aid=ONsdkykbmoJ&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result Son Seals discography]
* [http://www.vachss.com/media/music/sons.html Son Seals page]
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