Big Daddy Kinsey
Big Daddy Kinsey
Big Daddy Kinsey (March 18, 1927 — April 3, 2001) was an American Chicago blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player. Born Lester Kinsey, he is one of today's great blues legends. Lester Kinsey was born near Pleasant Grove, Mississippi. Lester was a great vocalist, harmonica, and guitar player and played many styles of blues, but his best was Chicago Blues and Modern Electric Blues.
Kinsey first played gospel music at the age of six with the guitar. When he was older, he played at parties in the Delta before moving to Gary, Indiana, at the age of seventeen in 1944. He immediately began working in the city's steel mill. His father was the pastor of Gary's Chase Street Church of God in Christ. After a stint in the service, Kinsey returned to Gary to work in the steel mill, settling down to raise a family and put his musical career on hold for several years. He stayed away from his guitar until the late 60s when he began playing harmonica with a group called 'The Soul Brothers'. He first signed with Alligator Records, but later he signed with Blind Pig Records.
He had three sons and started his son Donald playing the guitar at the age of four, and Ralph playing the drums at six. They joined up with Big Daddy Kinsey. At first, the group was named Big Daddy Kinsey and His Fabulous Sons when Ralph and Kenneth joined the band. Then they became known as Big Daddy Kinsey and the Kinsey Report in 1984. Lester was the main star as a powerful slide guitarist and harp player with Pinetop Perkins on piano.
Kinsey had worked in clubs and lounges with non-family musicians in the late 70's and early 80's. Donald had joined Albert King's road band and later joined reggae superstars Bob Marley and The Wailer. However, the family band in 1984 reunited and formed The Kinsey Report and signed with Rooster Blues. In 1985 they signed again with Alligator Records.
Sadly, on April 3, 2001, Big Daddy Kinsey died at seventy years of age from prostate cancer at Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus, in Gary, Indiana. After his death, The Kinsey Report made a tribute album, called "Tribute to Hubby".
(Big Daddy Kinsey at 4th Annual Poconos Blues Festival 1995)