Sun 3/30 @ 8PM
If Cleveland’s legendary bluesman Robert Lockwood Jr. hadn’t died in 2006 — a mere lad of 94 — he’d be turning 99 this week. There were many who thought he’d make it; after all, he was still playing out until shortly before he died.
His music lives on through the musicians who played with his for years, some of whom continue to be active in the local blues scene. And his influence is felt on the many players in the local blues scene who listened and learned from this master.
The band — Robert “Red Top” Young, D.C. Carnes, Richard Smith, Jimmy “Gator” Hoare, Gus Hawkins, Benny Mostella, & Rob Williams — will be together to celebrate Lockwood’s 99th at the Beachland Ballroom.
A collection of top Cleveland blues and R&B artists will be celebrating with them: Schwartz Brothers Glenn and Gene, Travis Moonchild Haddix, Crazy Marvin Braxton, Wallace Coleman, Vernon Jones, Pete Cavano, Robert Kidney, Bob Frank and Mike Balas. Many of them spent some time playing with Lockwood; virtually all crossed paths with him at some point, as did any Clevelander who loved the blues.
It’s the final event in Collinwood Crossroads Week, a series of events dedicated to the area’s blues and R&B heritage.