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Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942 - December 20, 2004)
Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942 - December 20, 2004)
Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942 - December 20, 2004)
Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942 – December 20, 2004)[2] was an
Son Seals
American electric blues guitarist and singer.
Contents
1 Career
2 Discography
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Career
Seals was born in Osceola, Arkansas, where his father, Jim "Son" Seals,
owned a small juke joint. He began performing professionally by the
age of 13, first as a drummer with Robert Nighthawk and later as a
guitarist. At age 16, he began to play at the T-99, a local upper-echelon Background information
club, with his brother-in-law Walter "Little Walter" Jefferson. He played
there with prominent blues musicians, including Albert King, Rufus Birth name Frank Seals
Thomas, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, and Rosco Gordon. Their varying Born August 14, 1942
styles contributed to the development of Seals's own playing Osceola, Arkansas,
techniques. While playing at the T-99, he was also introduced to United States
country-western music by Jimmy Grubbs, who occasionally asked Seals
to play the drums or guitar with his group. At the age of 19, Seals Died December 20, 2004
formed his own band, Son Seals and the Upsetters, to fill in at the Rebel (aged 62)
Club, in Osceola. The band members were Johnny Moore (“Old Man Chicago, Illinois
Horse") on piano; Alvin Goodberry on drums, guitar, bass, or piano; Genres Electric blues[1]
Little Bob Robinson on vocals; and Walter Lee “Skinny Dynamo”
Harris on piano. Shortly thereafter, a man from Little Rock, Arkansas, Occupation(s) Guitarist, singer
came to find “Little Walter” for a gig at his club, but when Walter Instruments Guitar, vocals, banjo
turned it down the offer went to Seals.[3] Years active 1959–2004
In 1971, Seals moved to Chicago. His career took off after he was
discovered by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records at the Flamingo Club on Chicago's South Side. His debut
album, The Son Seals Blues Band, was released in 1973. The album included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and
"Hot Sauce". It was followed by Midnight Son (1976) and Live and Burning (1978). Seals released several
albums in the next two decades, all but one on Alligator Records, including Chicago Fire (1980), Bad Axe
(1984), Living in the Danger Zone (1991), Nothing but the Truth (1994) and Live: Spontaneous Combustion
(1996). He received W.C. Handy Awards in 1985, 1987, and 2001.
The writer Andrew Vachss, a friend of his, used his influence to promote Seals's music. Vachss gave Seals
several cameo appearances in his novels[4] and co-wrote songs with him for his album Lettin' Go, released in
2000.[5] Vachss dedicated his novel Mask Market to Seals's memory.[6]
In 2002, Seals contributed to the Bo Diddley tribute album, Hey Bo Diddley – A Tribute!, performing the song
"My Story" (also known as "Story of Bo Diddley").
Seals had a hard life. He survived all but one of his fourteen siblings. In 1997 he was shot in the jaw by his
wife, sustaining injuries which required reconstructive surgery.[7] In 1999 part of his left leg was amputated as a
result of complications from diabetes. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away
performing, and several of his prized guitars were stolen from his home.[8] After his health began to decline,
Seals toured with accompaniment by several different bands, including those of James Soleberg, Jimmy Vivino,
and Big Jim Kohler,.
The band Phish performed Seals's song "Funky Bitch" and brought him on stage on several occasions.
Seals died in 2004, at the age of 62, from complications of diabetes. He was survived by a sister and fourteen
children.[9][10]
In 2009 Seals was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, in the category Performer.
Discography
Year Album Label
References
1. Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music. Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing.
p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
2. Doc Rock. "2004 July to December" (http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2004b.html). The Dead Rock Stars
Club. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
3. Moon, Thomas D. (2000). "Son Seals: Intensity Is the Key". Living Blues, issue 153, pp. 15–25.
ISSN 0024-5232 (https://www.worldcat.org/search?fq=x0:jrnl&q=n2:0024-5232).
4. "Lettin' Go from Son Seals: True Blues: The Zero 5.0laf – The Official Website of Andrew Vachss" (htt
p://www.vachss.com/media/music/sons.html). Vachss.com. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
5. Cordle, Owen (2001). "Keepin' On". News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.). March 16, 2001.
6. Vachss, Andrew (2006). Mask Market. Pantheon. ISBN 9780375424229.
7. "Chicago Bluesman Son Seals Shot, Wife Charged" (http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1997/Chicago-blues
man-Son-Seals-shot-wife-charged/id-4a3fdb639855c426481c013ef2bcccdc). Associated Press. January
7, 1997.
8. Hoekstra, Dave (2002). "Veteran Guitarist Paying the Dues to Play the Blues". Chicago Sun-Times.
February 3, 2002.
9. "Son Seals". Associated Press. December 21, 2004.
10. Son Seals (https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10167460) at Find a Grave
External links
Alligator Records biography entry
Son Seals discography
Son Seals page