Henry’s Blues House was great venue, situauted on the corner of Hill Street and Station Street. It featured many of the up and coming local blues and R&B bands. Led Zeppelin was one of the first bands to play there.
Brewers Droop is the name of a Southern English band (whose history can be followed in “Hundred Watts” by Ron Watts) in which Mark Knopfler played for a few months in 1973.
Champion Jack Dupree was the embodiment of the New Orleans blues and boogie woogie pianist, a barrelhouse “professor”. He was orphaned at the age of two, and sent to the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs (also the alma mater of Louis Armstrong).
Reverend Gary Davis, also Blind Gary Davis, (April 30, 1896 – May 5, 1972) was an American blues and gospel singer and guitarist, who was also proficient on the banjo and harmonica. His finger-picking guitar style influenced many other artists
Simon Prager & Steve Rye were a duo who played authentic blues back in the 70s.
There will be a live pre-gig talk at the Crown (Station Street) on Friday 6th July 2012 as part of this years Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival. The talk will be called “Remembering Henry’s” and will be hosted by Jim Simpson- Black Sabbath’s first ever manager and director here at Big Bear Music. The event is free and will be a great nostalgic trip to the old Blueshouse for Blues and Sabbath lovers alike.
The event will commence at 6pm. Don’t miss out!