Musician. For over six decades, he was a blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and harmonica player on the vibrant Detroit blues scene. In 1948, he relocated to the Motor City and performed exclusively as a harp player. Teaming up with guitarist John T. Smith, he cut his first single for Holiday Records, "Notoriety Woman" (1948). Adding electric guitar to his personal arsenal, he began a long relationship with bluesman John Lee Hooker which produced recordings such as "Hello Miss Jessie Lee" (1953), "Biscuit Baking Mama" (1954) and "Papa's Boogie" (1955). On his own, for various labels he recorded "Treat Me Like I Treat You" (1957), "Orange Driver" (1961), "The Thing To Do" (1961), "Wig Wearin' Woman" (1965), "I Am Leaving" (1965) and many more. In the 1970s, Burns recorded his debut solo album "Bottle Up & Go" (1972), followed by the album "Detroit Blackbottom" (1975) and went on a European tour performing at festivals billed as part of the 'American Blues Legends' in 1976. For the next two decades he continued to record releasing the albums "Lonesome Feeling" (1986), "Detroit" (1989) and was an annual performer at the New York Winter Blues Festival. In 1994, he received the Michigan Heritage Award and was presented the Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. At age 77, he released his final album "Second Degree Burns" (2005) and his final live performance was at the Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival in 2008. He died at age 84 from heart failure.
Musician. For over six decades, he was a blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and harmonica player on the vibrant Detroit blues scene. In 1948, he relocated to the Motor City and performed exclusively as a harp player. Teaming up with guitarist John T. Smith, he cut his first single for Holiday Records, "Notoriety Woman" (1948). Adding electric guitar to his personal arsenal, he began a long relationship with bluesman John Lee Hooker which produced recordings such as "Hello Miss Jessie Lee" (1953), "Biscuit Baking Mama" (1954) and "Papa's Boogie" (1955). On his own, for various labels he recorded "Treat Me Like I Treat You" (1957), "Orange Driver" (1961), "The Thing To Do" (1961), "Wig Wearin' Woman" (1965), "I Am Leaving" (1965) and many more. In the 1970s, Burns recorded his debut solo album "Bottle Up & Go" (1972), followed by the album "Detroit Blackbottom" (1975) and went on a European tour performing at festivals billed as part of the 'American Blues Legends' in 1976. For the next two decades he continued to record releasing the albums "Lonesome Feeling" (1986), "Detroit" (1989) and was an annual performer at the New York Winter Blues Festival. In 1994, he received the Michigan Heritage Award and was presented the Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. At age 77, he released his final album "Second Degree Burns" (2005) and his final live performance was at the Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival in 2008. He died at age 84 from heart failure.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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