Scott Barretta has just told me that his friend, blues singer and civil rights activist Willie King of Prairie Point, Alabama (just across the Mississippi state line south of Columbus) has died of a heart attack. This was unexpected, and I’m sad about the loss to both the blues community and the people around Prairie Point who benefited from his activism.
He had an annual festival in June at Freedom Creek. You can see him in one of the blues documentaries Scorcese filmed and hear him, among other places, on recordings by Living Blues cofounder Jim O’Neal. Here’s him doing a song by one of his great musical heroes, Howlin Wolf, at the juke near Prairie Point, where he used to perform every Sunday.
I’ll post more about Willie King later.
That is really sad to hear. Willie is one of my favorite blues musicians and stage performers. I have seen him many times, at many different venues (including his property in Alabama). His music was varied, spanning from juke joint style boogies, to deep hard hitting songs with messages telling of the pain of the past and hope for the future, and light hearted R&B style songs of brotherly/sisterly love and togetherness for all. He was a true ambassador of the blues and racial healing of the heart. He will be truly missed.
I was sad to hear of Willie’s passing. He was a great man and a great Blues musician. He always played the local events around here, and I never missed him if I could. Just last year he was honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Macon, MS. He put on a great show and went into the audience with his wireless rig to meet and shake hands with folks while he played.
The world is a bit bleaker for his passing.
Willie King, you will be missed.
Goodbye, Mr. King.
Goodbye my friend. You were a giant among men.
Very sad to hear. The West Virginia Blues Society offers our deepest sympathy to friends, family, Debbie and all the other Liberators.
We’re going to miss you. Rest in Peace Willie
On behalf of Spoken X Digital Media Group and Literati X we’d like to take a few moments in prayer for { Willie King }and offer our condolences to his family. Down here in Aliceville Alabama ,Literati X, had the unique pleasure to see Willie perform his blues in his own unique style in the old tradition and mastery of his musical craft. And along the way we did become passing friends and often engaged in long conversations about how Willie and his craft became an integral part of the digital music convergence without him realizing his proper compensation as a producer and featured performer as his craft was enjoyed by millions throughout the world: May my brother rest in peace: { Literati Di Graffito X. . .
My heart is hurting.
Witnessing Willie’s love , compassion, and generosity towards others made me strive to be a better man.
Big joe Shelton
Hearts are really beating faster knowing that a great warrior has gone on but his geneoristy will remain in many hearts around the world . I have know willie every since i was big enough to know myself. He was a very big heart person and will very well missed. Willie your body may be gone but your uplifting spirit will all remain. You left something special here with me.you always told us u was out travel and play the blues. Well your journey took you a long ways. But you had to stop and get some rest, tour journey has not yet stop nor is it completed yet. Your journey will be carried on. You touch the lives of many hearts that was troubled you encouraged so many. You more time to people than yourself. The Lord felt like it was time for you so slow down and rest. So just rest a while look down and smile upon what you have left behind
a legagacy of the blues . I going to miss you I am sorry I could say good bye.