Little Smokey Smothers
| Little Smokey Smothers | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Albert Abraham Smothers |
| Born |
January 2, 1939 Tchula, Mississippi, US |
| Died | November 20, 2010 (aged 71) Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Genres | Chicago blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | Late 1950s–2010 |
| Labels | Various |
Little Smokey Smothers (January 2, 1939 – November 20, 2010) was an African-American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer.
His elder brother was the bluesman Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers (died 1993), with whom he was sometimes confused.
Albert Abraham "Abe" Smothers was born in Tchula, Mississippi, learned guitar at the age of 15, and relocated to Chicago two years later. He soon appeared on stage, playing with Arthur “Big Boy” Spires, Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Lazy Bill Lucas. In 1958 he joined up with Howlin' Wolf, and played on Wolf's recording session for Chess Records the following year. Tracks Smothers contributed to include "I've Been Abused," "Howlin' for My Darling," and "Mr. Airplane Man."
In 1961 he founded Little Smokey Smothers and the Pipeplayers. He later met Paul Butterfield and became a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. He was replaced in the band by Elvin Bishop but developed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Throughout the 1960s Smothers appeared with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, and Junior Wells. Musical opportunities dried up in the 1970s, and Smothers worked in construction. After a break of several years, he recorded again in 1979, on Mojo Buford's album Chicago Blues Summit. In the 1980s he was with the Legendary Blues Band and contributed to their 1989 album Woke Up with the Blues.
In 1993, Bishop was a guest artist on Smothers's first solo album, Bossman! The Chicago Blues of Little Smokey Smothers, release by the Dutch label Black Magic. Smothers's cousin Lee "Shot" Williams also played on the album. Bishop and Smothers performed at the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival.
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