Christened Peter Chatman, he would take the Blues to places never before imagined. Beyond writing such classics as “Mother Earth”, “Everyday I Have The Blues”, and “The Comeback”, Memphis Slim changed everything in the aftermath of settling in Europe in 1963.
Until the late 50’s, down-home Blues hadn’t traveled particularly well, but Slim brought a brisk air of sophistication to this rough-hewn art form by developing a presentation that was conducive to concert hall environs, while never compromising the integrity of the music
Slim’s acquisition of Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s services initiated a 25-year “on-and-off” association, while adding some serious fret work to “The Comeback”, “Sassie Mae”, and “Memphis Slim USA”.
When they toured the Continent in 1962--accompanied by Willie Dixon on bass---Slim basked in such hospitality he chose permanent residency there. Slim’s “Nobody Loves Me” was covered by Lowell Fulson, B.B King, and Joe William.
It gained its enduring popularity as “Everyday I Have The Blues”. On “Mother Earth” seldom had the theme of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” been explored in such stark terms.
Roosevelt Sykes was his mentor but Slim took Bill Broonzy’s advice and developed his own distinctive style characterized by a forceful delivery, burnished vocals, and a dominating keyboard approach.
Touring and recording primarily in Europe
from 1963 on, Slim resided in Paris until his death in 1988. Memphis Slim was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall Of Fame in 1989.
