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...
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
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
2 - The Blues Blogger
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 ...
3 - Glen Boyd
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
4 - Ron Gwynne
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
5 - The Blues Blogger
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
6 - 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
7 - BlueStLou
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!
8 - Angus
Hi,
If anyone had any info on Matt Murphy, expecially contact of agents, managers, etc, please forward on. Big fan and would love to make contact. To send a card if nothing else.
peace,
Matt Angus
9 - Ron Gwynne
I read this today and I'm not sure if its current, anybody know? 10/2/08
Several of the 5 star acts include Contemporary Blues-rock guitar virtuoso Albert Cummings, the Blues-Rock-Soul performer from Miami, Darrell Raines and scorching Blues guitarist Eric Culberson on Friday evening, November 14; The coolest guitar player the world has ever known, Blues Guitar Legend Hubert Sumlin (the 2008 Blues Hall of Fame inductee), popular Florida based Blues rocker, guitarist Albert Castiglia, the renown Blues Mandolin master Rich DelGrosso, Soul and Blues singer Betty Padgett and American Blues guitarist Matt "Guitar" Murphy, from Blues Brothers fame on Saturday, November 15; the exceptionally passionate and emotional sounds of the Chris Duarte Group, the jammin' funky Phatnoiz Blues Band and the powerhouse team of Cedric Burnside and Lightnin Malcolm of the Juke Joint Duo, will appear on Sunday, November 16. Bluzpik Rekerdz coordinated all the musical acts.
10 - Ron Gwynne
Just checked and Matt's on the bill!
SATURDAY - NOV 15 SUNDAY - NOV 16
Ernie Southern & The Deltaholics Betty Padgett Ben Prestage
Smokin' Torpedoes Robin Rogers The Nouveaux Honkies
Darrell Raines Joey Gilmore Juke Joint Duo
Eric Culberson Rich DelGrosso with The Nouveaux Honkies Alvin Jett & the Phatnoiz Blues Band
Albert Cummings Albert Castiglia
Chris Duarte Group
Matt "Guitar" Murphy
Hubert Sumlin
11 - Steve Nunns
Rest at ease--Murphy is alive and doing well.
12 - Tom Dickinson
Just went thru all these posts, having just seen the Blues Brothers Movie a few nights ago on TV, for about the 100th time!! I'm a complete rookie to this whole world of posting, blogging, and anything much more than just sending a simple email. Funny, I've been at this computer stuff since the beginning of the internet, but I just don't feel the need to expand my knowledge any further with it. Anyway...I'm a big fan of the Blues Brothers, and of Murphy, Cropper, and the whole crew. I noted that there is a scheduled 'reunion' show in Georgia in early February of 2009, with both Dan Ackroyd as Ellwood Blues and Jim Belushi as Zee Blues. This, I guess, is a throw-back to when Ackroyd and Jim Belushi met on a SNL show in 2003 and did a musical act together. I don't believe any of the other original Blues Brothers Band will be a formal part of this show, but I would not be surprised if one or more of them did show up for a cameo .... a walk-on.... or even a sit-in. I wouldn't be surprised if John Goodman showed up either!! I'd love to see this show, but I'm now an 'ex' employee of the US Auto industry...I just lost my job after nearly 32 years.....so no trips to Georgia for me. If anyone who reads this happens to find that the folks down there produce a recording of the performance, I'd love to get one. By the way, the ironic part of this is that this new show is, in fact, a 'mission from God'. The show is, I believe, a 'benefit' for a Georgia church. I think it's the church band that will be 'backing' the Blues Brothers for this event. I don't know all the details as I only found one related article on this performance on the internet. Perhaps there are more....I just didn't go looking. Anyway, I just wanted to get my 2 cents in.... and say how much I've enjoyed the whole Blues Brother evolution over the years. I had my 15 minutes of fame in a Blues Band....played rhythm guitar....used an Gibson SG and an old Black Face Fender Super Reverb just like Matt Murphy. At one point I owned a Steve Cropper Signature edition of a Peavey Guitar. But, hard times and the need for food made the sale of that guitar a necessity. But, to finish up, I just wanted to say I enjoyed the little 6-minute video of Matt Murphy from Steve Nunns' post on 1/08/09. I was just curious as to 'when' and 'where' that performance took place. And finally, did anyone ever come up with a means by which to contact any of the old Blues Brothers? I would love to send a note of appreciation to each one of them for the music and enjoyment they provided in my life!! I hope everyone has a great 2009....and please...buy an American Car!!