Thinking About Matt "Guitar" Murphy (And Happy Birthday)
Published December 23, 2007
Every year my wife and I host a Christmas Eve party where family and friends come over to reflect and discuss the usual pros and cons of life and wrap up yet another year. While tidying up the house and thinking about what music to put together for the party, I came across a box of goodies and found an old copy of The Blues Brothers album Briefcase Full of Blues. The album was released 29 years ago this month and at the time I played it constantly. I was entertained by the band, its energy and general upbeat humorous style.
I was thinking about Matt "Guitar" Murphy lately. He is celebrating what I believe to be his 80th birthday this holiday season. Depending on your source of information there seems to be confusion as to whether his birthday is December 29th, 1927 or December 27th, 1929. I don't want to add extra years to Matt, but I didn't want to take a chance on missing out on the opportunity to wish him a Happy Birthday, especially if he is turning 80 as I suspect.
Last time I heard, Matt suffered a stroke several years back, and there doesn't seem to be much news of him as of late. I searched high and low to find information on his current status and found very little. I realized that perhaps I would have to put something together and see if I could stir up any feedback. I decided I would make a point to raise some awareness and generate some discussion on this cool bluesman, and of course to celebrate and acknowledge a fantastic musician and major influence to so many.
Twenty nine years ago I was guilty of the typecasting that made Murphy such a staple with The Blues Brothers. You can't blame people; the band was excessively popular and became a phenomenon.
When listening to blues albums of the fifties and sixties, many may be unaware that they were listening to Murphy when they played songs by Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Victoria Spivey, Etta James and Sonny Boy Williamson. Even though being a Blues Brother is pretty cool, blues enthusiasts are well aware that there is more to Matt than that...
Ok ... Its Christmas time and I have to prepare for my party. It's been over 20 years since I have played Briefcase Full of Blues and I have decided that I was going to give it a listen and play it at the get-together this season. I have a turntable that converts albums to digital. I love the original sound of the vinyl as it helps me ponder when I write these posts. So once again my MP3 player would get its workout and my wife would wonder where I was while I...
- Thinking About Matt "Guitar" Murphy (And Happy Birthday)
- Published: December 23, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Blues
- Writer: The Blues Blogger
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- The Blues Blogger's personal site
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Sometimes I think the experiences I had working at Sam Goody were pretty crazy. Like the time I refused to meet Bruce Springsteen during an autograph session because I had too many cassette tapes to price. He laughed because I was the only one who didn't create a scene. A reverse psychology that got more attention from him had I made an ordeal ... I was nuts ... I think the trains at my flat made me really loopy.
I will see what I can piece together in the New Year ...
If that had been me (with the opportunity to meet Springsteen that is) I no doubt would've pissed myself.
Actually all kidding aside, I did meet Springsteen backstage in '78 and we actually got on very well. What I remember most about it was that we talked about the car I was driving at the time (a '69 Chevy Malibu) and about Clarence making a run for mayor of Red Bank, NJ. Bruce was a very cool guy and quite easy to talk to, while for me it took everything I could muster to keep myself from making an ass out of myself.
I have a feeling there are quite a few paralels in our experiences coming up in the record industry. I'm really looking forward to reading more of yours.
-Glen
I live in Toronto and I knew Matt and his band from our Blues Brothers days.
I was running a restaurant on Queen Street when one evening I got a call from Matt saying their van had broken down east of Toronto and they had missed their gig at the El Mocambo a famous club in Toronto where Matt and on ocassion the Stones had played before.
Unfortunately they also missed getting paid and the rooms they had were let go.
The result was no money, no rooms, no mechanic and no gig...standard musician fare...lol
I called a mechanic friend and he fixed the truck, they came to the restaurant where I fed them, and then I sent them to my house with a blind friend who gave them directions to get them there!
He guided them to my house which was guarded by my 110 pound doberman who welcomed them with a lick...
They were amazed about Nigel, my blind friend and he made lifelong friends with the band and they reminded me many times of the moment.
I arrived home later that night to find a houseful of sleeping musicians warm and cozy and the were back on the road the next day off to the next gig.
The reason I mention this is it was Dan and I who created the original Blues Brothers movie story... because every musician we had ever met was trying to get a band together and head out on the road..and the road pictures of Hope and Crosby... that led to the Blues Brothers picture.
We pitched that premise and they bought it!!
Thats how I ended up knowing Matt.
And it was the belief in the band that brought everyone together in brotherhood. The references to "the Band" were throughout BB.
One more thing I'd like to mention was the scene where Twiggy was waiting for Elwood at the end of the gig...it was typical of all the lovers of musicians...just waiting for the players to get home!
rgg
Ron,
What a nice surprise this morning to see your comments on this post ... Thanks so much for the great story on Matt and The Blues Brothers.
I have been trying to find out more information regarding Matt and his condition. You get scared sometimes because we receive news we don't want to hear, but I think fans of Matt would like to be updated ... Do you know how he is? Any calls we can make to tell Matt his fans are thinking of him?
I have many friends in Toronto and have spent some time there. I really end up having a good time whenever I get the opportunity for a visit. So much great music out of T.O. I am reminded with a warm smile of two people I knew from there who have left us: Dianne Heatherington and Dom Troiano. So rich in talent and character ...
Thanks Again
Merry Christmas,
The Blues Blogger
I wanted to make a quick comment before this article slips off the main page and say ...
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MATT!!!
Happy New Year,
The Blues Blogger
Matt had a vocalist named Larry Thurston in his band. When he rejoined the Blues Brothers he took Larry with him. Google has two videos of Larry performing She Caught The Katy with The BB Band, both Matt and Cropper on guitar. Akroyd is in one of them.
I know Larry had a soft spot for Matt. It was Matt that gave him his big break. Thurston mostly retired from live performance, but did make a solo record, School For Fools. He also took 5 lead vocals on Johnnie Johnsons' final recording,
Johnnie Be Eighty. And Still Bad!
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That was a very nice tribute BB. What I'm more interested in hearing now is how your own story ended up. I've got a feeling you've got a lot more to tell about your experiences, and I for one can't wait to hear them. Great article.
-Glen