Louisiana Red passes after stroke

One of the most original of the US Bluesmen, Louisiana Red, has died at the age of 79.

Born Iverson Minter on March 23rd 1932 he lost his mother to pneumonia shortly after his birth and his father was lynched by Klansmen when he was only 5.
He recorded for Chess in 1949 and was then drafted into the army.
After his session in the military he played with John Lee Hooker for two years in Detroit and was then signed to Checker, billed as Tommy Tucker.

His first album, Lowdown Back Porch Blues, was recorded in New York with Tommy Tucker and released in 1963 along with its follow up 'Seventh Son' the same year.

He was busy recording and touring throughout the '60's and '70's recording for Chess, Checker, Atlas, Glover, Roulette, L&R and Tomato and won a WC Handy award in 1983 as Best Traditional Blues Male Artist

His most recent records on Ruf were well received and his last 'Memphis Mojo' saw him touring all over Europe and the UK from hios base in Hanover Germany where he had lived since 1981.

His close friend Michael Messer (Michael Messer Music) said "I am very sorry to be bringer of such sad news that my dear friend, Louisiana Red, died this morning. He had a stroke on Monday and had been in a coma ever since"