Michael Burks(July 30, 1957 – May 6, 2012) was an Americanelectric bluesandsoul bluesguitarist, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his tracks, "Everybody's Got Their Hand Out", "I Smell Smoke" and "Hard Come, Easy Go", and variously worked withJohnnie Taylor,O. V. Wright,andMarquise Knox.He was the son of the bassist, Frederick Burks.[2]
Michael Burks | |
|---|---|
 Michael Burks (2012) | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Iron Man |
| Born | July 30, 1957 Milwaukee,Wisconsin,United States |
| Died | May 6, 2012(aged 54) Atlanta,Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Electric blues,soul blues,blues rock[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–2012 |
| Labels | Vent,Alligator |
| Website | Official website |
TheAllmusicjournalist,Tim Sheridan once noted "... while his vocals are not stellar, he has a rich, gritty quality to his singing that is nicely matched to his guitar playing."[3]Burks was known as 'Iron Man' for his energetic and passion filled performances on stage. He was nominated five times for aBlues Music Awardand, in 2004,Living Bluespresented him with the Critics' Award for Best Guitarist.[4][5]
Life and career
editBurks was born inMilwaukee,Wisconsin,United States,[6]and had a musical heritage. His father played the bass guitar, and performed withSonny Boy Williamson II,while his grandfather had played in adelta bluesstyle. Burks junior had learned to play the guitar by the age of five, and first played on stage in his cousin's band.[1]In the early 1970s, Burks moved with his family toCamden, Arkansas.It was there that Burks and his father built a 300-seaterjuke jointnamed the Bradley Ferry Country Club, where Burks duly led thehouse band.[1][6]
After the club closed in the mid 1980s, Burks was employed as a mechanic atLockheed Martin.He continued to play at local clubs and music festivals, until 1997, when he recorded and produced his debut album,From the Inside Out.The magazine,Blues Access,stated it was "the most impressive indie in recent memory", andLiving Bluesdescribed it as one of "the best debut discs of the year."[1]In 2001,Alligator Recordssigned Burks to a recording contract, and he releasedMake It Rainwith them the same year.Make It Rainwas produced by Jim Gaines andBruce Iglauer.I Smell Smokefollowed in 2003, and five years later Burks issued what turned out to be the final album in his lifetime,Iron Man,named for his long held nickname.[1][2][6]
Burks was a regular performer at theKing Biscuit Blues Festival.[6]He also appeared atMemphis in Mayin 2004 and 2009. Burks had completed recording his fifth album, which was due to be released in July 2012.[4]
On May 6, 2012, upon returning from a tour of Europe, Burks collapsed atHartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.He was shortly after pronounced dead from a heart attack, at a hospital inAtlanta,Georgia, aged 54.[2][6]
In 2013, Burks took theBlues Music Award"Contemporary Blues Album of the Year" and "Album of the Year" categories with his posthumous release,Show Of Strength.[5]Another posthumous CD was released in 2016,I'm A Bluesman.
Discography
edit| Year | Title | Record label | USTop Blues Albums |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | From the Inside Out | Vent Records | |
| 2001 | Make It Rain | Alligator Records | |
| 2003 | I Smell Smoke | Alligator Records | No. 12 |
| 2008 | Iron Man | Alligator Records | No. 4 |
| 2012 | Show of Strength | Alligator Records | No. 4 |
| 2016 | I'm a Bluesman | Iron Man Records |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdeGreg Prato."Michael Burks | Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved2014-01-27.
- ^abc"The Dead Rock Stars Club – January to June 2012".Thedeadrockstarsclub.com.RetrievedMay 14,2012.
- ^"Make It Rain> Overview ".Allmusic.RetrievedMay 14,2012.
- ^abEmma Koonse (May 7, 2012)."Michael 'Iron Man' Burks Dies at 54".The Christian Post.Archived fromthe originalon May 25, 2012.RetrievedMay 14,2012.
- ^ab"Blues Music Awards Nominees – 2013 – 34th Blues Music Awards".Blues.org.Retrieved2013-03-20.
- ^abcdeAssociated Press (May 7, 2012)."Arkansas bluesman Michael" Iron Man "Burks dies after collapsing at Atlanta airport".The Washington Post.Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon November 29, 2018.RetrievedMay 14,2012.
- ^"Michael Burks | Discography".AllMusic.Retrieved2014-01-27.
- ^"Michael Burks > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums".Allmusic.RetrievedMay 14,2012.