Matt Murphy

Matthew Tyler Murphy (December 29, 1929 – June 15, 2018), known as Matt "Guitar" Murphy, was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. He was associated with Memphis Slim, The Blues Brothers and Howlin' Wolf. In 2012, Murphy was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame.

Early life Murphy was born in Sunflower, Mississippi, and was educated in Memphis, Tennessee, where his father worked at the Peabody Hotel. Murphy learned to play guitar when he was a child.

Career In 1948, Murphy moved to Chicago, where he joined the Howlin' Wolf Band, which at the time featured Little Junior Parker.

Murphy worked often with Memphis Slim, Murphy recorded two albums and many singles with Chuck Berry and was also featured in works by Koko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson II, He also performed with Willie Dixon.

He gave a memorable performance in 1963 on the American Folk Blues Festival tour of Europe with his "Matt's Guitar Boogie".

In the 1970s, Murphy associated with harmonica player James Cotton,

Equipment Murphy's first signature guitar was manufactured by Cort Guitars. He visited the Cort factory in Korea in 1998, and later that year the MGM-1 was introduced. Most of these guitars have a sunburst or honey finish. They are made of agathis, with a mahogany neck, and have two humbuckers and single volume and tone controls. This model was produced until 2006; 78 were sold, according to factory numbers. In 2011, at a private ceremony in South Miami, Florida, he married Kathy Hemrick. The couple later hosted a public reception at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at which the CD Last Call was released. His death was first announced on Facebook by his nephew Floyd Murphy Jr., who performed alongside his uncle.

Solo discography Way Down South (1990)

Way Down South was Murphy's debut solo album, first released in 1990 with Discovery. It included contributions by his brother Floyd, and remained his most critically acclaimed solo project. It was a live album featuring many popular blues songs and an instrumental guitar jam.

Appearances With Sonny Boy Williamson The Real Folk Blues (Chess, 1947-64 )