I think it's only appropriate to include Welcome to Little Milton as we say goodbye to him.
Little Milton Campbell finally succumbed (August 4, 2005) to the ravages of a stroke he'd suffered about a week earlier. His death has stunned the blues community as he was scheduled throughout the summer to play blues festivals across the country. In January of 2006, he was slated to play on the Legendary Blues Cruise.
Almost a half century after his debut on Sun Records, Milton Campbell continued to bring soulful blues to new heights with his soaring guitar playing and down home, gutsy vocals. From Sun, Milton moved to Chess Records, then Stax, TK, and MCA, finally settling with Malaco Records.
It should be noted that Little Milton attributed most of his success to his faithful friend "Bessie" (his guitar). When asked why "Bessie" was such a good friend, he replied, "She never says no, she never gets sick, she makes me money, and she's always ready when I call on her." I think he may have sold himself short on his ability to sing timeless songs and play the hell out of Bessie.
He was bold, too. Who else would be brave enough to cover Nazareth's "Love Hurts" with Lucinda Williams?
From Welcome to Little Milton comes the lyrics for the cut "Mother Earth For Little Milton":
Mother Earth is waiting for you
Cuz that's the debt you got to pay
I don't care how great you are
I don't care what you're worth
When it all is up
You got to go back to Mother Earth
Warren Haynes, of Gov't Mule, commented on the loss of Little Milton (Mule recorded with Milton on several occasions):
At 71 he was playing and singing better than ever. As a person, I always found him to be sincere and a real gentleman, which is not always the case when you meet your heroes. His influence on the blues world and the rock and roll world runs so much deeper than most of us realize. He will be sorely missed.
When you hear that kind of feedback from someone who admired and respected the bluesman, it really drives home the fact that Little Milton was as he appeared, a kind spirit, a shining star.
While we here on "Mother Earth" may no longer be blessed by his presence, the heavens do, indeed, gain another shining star. Each song we play, each melody we hum shall serve to make him shine brighter.
Rest in peace, Little Milton. Thank you for your music, your wit, and your warmth. You will be missed.
Article comments
1 - Tara
Another legend falls off the blues marquee...
2 - billy guitar jones
dear sir in 1968 i play lead guitar in little milton band me and my stepfather mr gilmore daniel, he play tenor saxphone milton was a good friend to us he told me to play blindman and put the music in front of me i say i dont need this he ask me what key is my songin '';;i say f minor so he told the band just me the guitar bass and drumi blow his mind he told me you not from mississippi man you good iplay about 6 monthuntil i quit the bassplayer had tb he died from billy guitar jones.
3 - billy jones
when i came home from playing with my band no idea band the first thing came out my 84 yr old mother son she say your friend little milton done had a stroke i say no mother?then i was at my mobile home me and my brother i was in the kitchen my brother say out very loud billy come quick your friend little milton is dead it on tvi was verry verry sad a couple months luther vandross tyrone davis all died of a stroke man i am 63 that really scaredme i will miss all 3 of them we all got to go 1 day billy guitar jones115 quinola lane vicksburg mississippi milton will be mess by me.
4 - Temple Stark
Temple Stark picked this for an Editors' Pick of the Week. Go ahead and find out why here.
5 - Gloria Harris
RIP milt, you have joined your friends Oliver Sain, and Johnnie Johnson, the 3 of you are somewhere over the rainbow, yet you all are only a CD away from all of us.
6 - shirley wilson
The passing of Little Milton has been very hard to accept. Everyday since his death I have been in a state of shock.
I know he is in a better place and we will meet again.