Eddie Boyd

Edward Riley Boyd (November 25, 1914 – July 13, 1994) was an American blues pianist, singer and songwriter, best known for his recordings in the early 1950s, including the number one R&B chart hit "Five Long Years".

Life and career Boyd was born either on Stovall's Plantation, near Clarksdale, Mississippi, or on Frank Moore's Plantation, near Stovall, Mississippi. A few months later, Eric Clapton's chart-topping blues album From the Cradle, which includes interpretations of Boyd's "Five Long Years" and "Third Degree", was released.

In 2009 a plaque was unveiled on a building at Helsinginkatu 12c in Helsinki, Finland, where Boyd had lived the last third of his life.

Discography Studio albums Five Long Years (Fontana, 1966) Praise the Blues: Cuby + Blizzards & Eddie Boyd (Philips, 1967) Eddie Boyd and His Blues Band Featuring Peter Green (Decca, 1967) 7936 South Rhodes (Blue Horizon, 1968) Praise to Helsinki (Love Records, 1970) The Legacy of the Blues, vol. 10 (Sonet, 1974) Brotherhood (Finnish Blues Society, 1975) My Lady (Lobo, 1978) Soulful (Magic Angel, 1980) A Sad Day (Paris, 1980) Lover's Playground (Stockholm, 1984)

Live album Eddie Boyd Live (Storyville, 1976)

Compilations Vacation from the Blues (Jefferson, 1976; Mojo, 2015) Rattin' and Runnin' Around (Crown Prince, 1981) No More of This Third Degree (Teldec, 1982) The Best of Eddie Boyd (P-Vine, 1984) Third Degree (Charly R&B; Orbis, 1993) The Complete Recordings (1947–1950) (EPM Musique, 2001) Five Long Years: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 (1951–1953) (EPM Musique, 2004) Eddie Boyd in Finland (Blue North, 2005) The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions (Blue Horizon, 2006) The Blues Is Here to Stay (Jasmine, 2013) Blue Monday Blues 1950–1960 Sides (Soul Jam, 2015)

Charting singles "Five Long Years" (J.O.B., 1952) "24 Hours" (Chess, 1953) "Third Degree" (Chess, 1953)

Guest appearances With Magic Sam Give Me Time (Delmark, 1991; recorded 1968)