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| Blues king Little Milton dead at 70 “Little” Milton Campbell, who sang the blues and performed with some of the country's top performers, died Thursday of complications of a stroke. Campbell, 70, died about 8:50 a.m. at Delta Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. A statement from the family said the musician died from a cerebral hemorrhage as a result of a stroke Campbell suffered on July 27. ”Campbell's music was described as having a gritty feel, with pleading vocals and frequently lyrics of dashed love. Campbell was born on a Delta farm near Inverness on Sept. 7, 1934. He was named after his father, Big Milton, who was a locally known blues musician. In 1953, Campbell was introduced to Sam Phillips of Sun Records by artist/talent scout Ike Turner. Some of his first recordings were on the Sun label backed by the Ike Turner Band. In a 2003 tribute to the late Phillips, Campbell said Phillips cared little about critics who were unhappy with “what they called at that time, black music.” ”He would always say, 'Well, I don't worry about what nobody else say. I'm going to do what I want to do, ”' Campbell said. Campbell went on to record “I'm a Lonely Man” and “That Will Never Do” for Bobbin Records. He switched to Checker Records in 1960 and in 1965, he had a hit entitled “We're Gonna Make It.” Campbell joined Stax Records in 1971 and recorded “Annie Mae's Cafe” and “Little Bluebird, ” two of his most memorable songs. Campbell was presented with the W.C. Handy 1988 Blues Entertainer of the Year. He was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame that year. The Delta native also enjoyed a career with Malaco Records in Jackson, which began in 1984. At the label he wrote “The Blues Is Alright” and recorded the album “Welcome To Little Milton, ” which was nominated in 2000 for Best Contemporary Blues Album. At his death, Campbell was signed with the label Telarc International based in Cleveland, Ohio. His last album “Think of Me” was released in May 2005. In a statement, Pat Campbell and the label expressed thanks for the “outpouring of support from well-wishers throughout the blues community.” Telarc spokeswoman Amanda Sweet said condolences can be directed to the Campbell family through the record label and monetary donations can be made through a fund established at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |