Eddie Burns

Eddie "Guitar" Burns (born 8 February 1928 in Belzoni, Mississippi; died 13 December 2012) was an American Detroit blues guitarist, harmonica player, singer and songwriter. His career spanned seven decades, from his earliest work in 1948 until his death in 2012. In terms of Detroit bluesmen, Burns was deemed second only in stature to John Lee Hooker. A Motor City legend, Eddie Burns' plaintive voice, wailing harmonica, and sure-handed guitar hearken back to the hey-day of Detroit Blues a half century ago. Eddie Burns grew up in Mississippi and is now the last of the post-war Blues legends that still play in the Motor City. Back then, Eddie Burns was a Hastings Street regular, cutting storefront singles and making the rounds of the black-owned clubs and taverns where John Lee Hooker was also making a name playing lean electric Blues and boogies. Eddie Burns and John Lee Hooker became fast friends when they met in 1948, and remained so until John Lee Hooker passed away recently. Eddie Burns backed John Lee Hooker at Chess Records in 1965 playing on Hook's classic The Real Folk Blues. Throughout his long recording career, Eddie Burns discography includes recordings with legendary labels such as Deluxe in 1952, Checker in 1954, and Chess in 1957. His 1993 record, Detroit on the Evidence label, was cut showing his versatility on two instruments, guitar and harmonica. In June of 2002, Eddie Burns released Snake Eyes on Delmark and in 2005 2nd Degree Burns on Blues Suit, both with brother Jimmy Burns on 2nd guitar. Eddie Burns' recent performances display the same soul and musicianship that made him a Motor City legend. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.