9/1/05 

Blues Legend R.L. Burnside Dies In Southhaven, MS

SOUTHHAVEN, MISS.

R.L. Burnside, 80, who in the last decade has risen to national acclaim for his unique "rolling and tumbling" blues style, passed away Thursday morning near his home in Southhaven, Mississippi. Alice Burnside, his wife of 56 years, was by his side.

Born November 23, 1926, Mr. Burnside began developing his North Mississippi sound after hearing John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun." Though primarily a farmer and fisherman until the mid - '80s, Mr. Burnside's band, R.L. and
the Sound Machine, dominated the local music scene.

That all changed in the early 90s when a documentary film based on author Robert Palmer's book, Deep Blues, featured Mr. Burnside as one of its highlights. Palmer soon produced Mr. Burnside's Too Bad Jim for Fat Possum Records, an album that is still considered one of the most influential and important blues albums of the 90s.

"R.L. was a real pleasure to be around," said longtime manager and friend Scott Hatch. "He had a certain intimacy and a real connection with all of his fans. He'd let anybody backstage. A lot of times it created problems because a lot of people didn't really understand that kind of REPOIRE with his fans."

In all, Mr. Burnside recorded nearly 20 albums since 1992. His SONS,Duwayne and Gary, along with grandson Cedric Burnside, who each record for BC Records, carry on the Burnside legacy by performing a style rooted in the work of their father.

"He was the first one to do that sound," said Duwayne. "And the first is always the best. I loved him, and this really hurts me, but we want to let all of his fans out there who loved him know how much we appreciate them. This is very hard, but it's all good."

Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia: Live at the Mint, was recorded in Los Angeles in Oct. of 1997 with R.L. on several tracks. The album represented a "passing of the torch from R.L. to Duwayne," said Hatch. "It was a very special night for R.L."

"We're all very close," echoed brother Melvin, the oldest of 13 siblings. "And we already miss him. He was straight up..."

Mr. Burnside had open heart surgery two years ago, but continued to perform whenever possible. However, his health declined dramatically over the past three months.

"He was the best dad I could've had," says son Gary Burnside. "He was a great musician and a great dad. He was there for all of us, and I'm the youngest. Even though I've got my own band with my own sound, I was happy to know that he was proud of what I have become."

Those wishing to help should send donations to:

Freeland & Freeland Trust Account
Burnside Memorial
P.O. Box 269
Oxford, MS 38655
662-234-3414

All proceeds will go directly to his widow, Alice Mae. Besides his wife and 13 children, he leaves numerous grandchildren.

R.L. Burnside's Bio