Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Willie Lee "Big Eyes" Smith (January 19, 1936 – September 16, 2011) was an American electric blues vocalist, harmonica player, and drummer. He was best known for several stints with the Muddy Waters band beginning in the early 1960s.

Biography Born in Helena, Arkansas, Smith learned to play harp at age 17 after moving to Chicago, Illinois. He became a musician during the 1950s. In 1955, Smith joined Bo Diddley with "Diddy Wah Diddy" for the Checker label as a harmonicaist. He starting playing with Muddy Waters after becoming a drummer.

In 1961, Smith became a regular member of Muddy Waters' band. He remained a permanent member until 1980 apart from a break during the 1960s. )

The Legendary Blues Band was co-founded by Smith during 1980. Smith had recorded with Eric Clapton in the 1964 Otis Spann recording of "Pretty Girls Everywhere".

Smith's 2008 album Born in Arkansas utilized bassman Bob Stroger, pianist Barrelhouse Chuck, guitarist Billy Flynn, guitarist Little Frank Krakowski (who has worked with Smith for years) and his son and drummer, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith. In June 2010, Smith released Joined at the Hip with Pinetop Perkins. Joining these two in the studio were Stroger, and his son Kenny Smith on drums. John Primer, who was another Muddy Waters band alumnus, joined on lead guitar along with Frank Krakowski.

On February 13, 2011, Smith won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip, an album he recorded with Pinetop Perkins. He remained active in his final year of life, encouraging Liz Mandeville to start her own record label (Blue Kitty Music) and he was featured on two tracks of her album, Clarksdale that was released in 2012.

Death Smith died in Chicago following a stroke on September 16, 2011. Year Category Result

2011 Traditional Blues Album of the Year - Joined at the Hip (with Pinetop Perkins) Winner

2009 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2008 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2007 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2006 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2005 Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2004 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2003 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

2002 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

1999 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

1998 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

1997 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

1996 Blues Instrumentalist - Drums Winner

Selective discography

As bandleader

Legendary Blues Band

With other artists