Casey Jones

Casey Jones (July 26, 1939 – May 3, 2017) was an American drummer who recorded with blues artists such as Albert Collins, appearing on his Frostbite and Ice Pickin' albums and Johnny Winter appearing on Winters Serious Business, Guitar Slinger, True to the Blues: The Johnny Winter Story albums. He is also a singer and record producer.

Background He was born in Nitta Yuma, Mississippi, on July 26, 1939. He was raised in Greenville. In 1956 he moved to Chicago to live with his sister. It was here that his sister and her husband bought him his first drum set. He had his first gig in 1956 from which he made $5.

In 1961 he married Bernice who had come to hear his group play. Prior to being married by the minister they had attempted to get married by a priest who refused to marry them because he said they wouldn't last six months as Bernice was white and Casey was black. Casey and Bernice raised their family in Morgan Park with a household filled with cats, dogs, fish and birds. He was also fond of big dogs and in particular a huge gray Great Dane called Soldier.

Friends of Casey will remember him through his music and his cheery disposition.

Jones also had an occasional day job driving a bus.

Career In the early 1960s he recorded with Earl Hooker, A.C. Reed, McKinley Mitchell, and Muddy Waters. As a session drummer he has worked with artists such as Lou Rawls, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter. For six years he was a member of Albert Collins's band as his drummer.

Death Jones was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died on May 3, 2017, in Chicago. In addition to his wife Bernice and three children, he was survived by four sisters.

Discography Solo Casey Jones - Still Kickin''' Casey Jones - Solid Blue Casey Jones - The Crowd Pleaser Casey Jones = I-94 On My Way to ChicagoAppearances (selective) Albert Collins - Frostbite Lonnie Brooks - Deluxe Edition Johnny Winter - Guitar Slinger''