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Louis Myers
Though he was certainly capable of brilliantly fronting a band,
remarkably versatile guitarist/harpist Louis Myers will forever be
recognized first and foremost as a top-drawer sideman and founding
member of the Aces -- the band that backed harmonica wizard Little
Walter on his immortal early Checker waxings.
Along with his older brother David -- another charter member of the
Aces -- Louis left Mississippi for Chicago with his family in 1941.
Fate saw the family move next door to blues great Lonnie Johnson, whose
complex riffs caught young Louis's ear. Another Myers brother,
harp-blowing Bob, hooked Louis up with guitarist Othum Brown for house
party gigs. Myers also played with guitarist Arthur "Big Boy" Spires
before teaming with his brother David on guitar and young harpist
Junior Wells to form the first incarnation of the Aces (who were
initially known as the Three Deuces). In 1950, drummer Fred Below came
on board.
In effect, the Aces and Muddy Waters traded harpists in 1952, Wells
leaving to play with Waters while Little Walter, just breaking
nationally with his classic "Juke," moved into the front man role with
the Aces. Myers and the Aces backed Walter on his seminal "Mean Old
World," "Sad Hours," "Off the Wall," and "Tell Me Mama" and at New
York's famous Apollo Theater before Louis left in 1954 (he and the Aces
moonlighted on Wells's indispensable 1953-54 output for States).
Plenty of sideman work awaited Myers -- he played with Otis Rush, Earl
Hooker, and many more. But his own recording career was practically
non-existent; after a solitary 1956 single for Abco, "Just
Whaling"/"Bluesy," that found Myers blowing harp in Walter-like style,
it wasn't until 1968 that two Myers tracks turned up on Delmark.
The Aces reformed during the 1970s and visited Europe often as a trusty
rhythm section for touring acts. Myers cut a fine set for Advent in
1978, I'm a Southern Man, that showed just how effective he could be as
a leader (in front of an L.A. band, no less). Myers was hampered by the
effects of a stroke while recording his last album for Earwig, 1991's
Tell My Story Movin'. He courageously completed the disc but was
limited to playing harp only. His health soon took a turn for the
worse, ending his distinguished musical career.
-Written by Bill Dahl
Quotes
"His harmonica, vocal, and guitar chops richly
demonstrate why he is credited with a large role in helping develop
shuffle and other uptempo blues." -Silo Independent Newsletter
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