Eddie "The Chief"
Clearwater
Guitarist Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater is one of the most
versatile, colorful, and unique entertainers to have emerged from Chicago's blues scene.
Eddy happened upon one of his major stylistic influences when he first heard Chuck
Berry's rudimentary rock ("Oh Baby Doll") shooting out of his car radio in 1957.
He would spend hours in clubs listening to Otis Rush, Magic Sam, B.B. King, and
Muddy Waters. With his powerful, left-handed guitar playing, stage costumes (his
Indian headdress earned him his nickname "The Chief"), and flamboyant
performances, Clearwater soon developed a reputation as a multifaceted and dynamic
showman. Eddy has recorded Country & Western singles for the Nashville market,
as well as Rockabilly and Chuck Berry derived rock, while also creating some of the
finest, most original Chicago Blues. He recorded three albums for the Rooster Blues
label in the 80's and one album for England's Red Lightnin' label, which won a W.C. Handy
Award for Best Import Blues Album. Eddy and his band tour coast to coast in North
America, and have headlined festivals in Europe and Mexico. In 1987 he realized a
lifelong dream when he toured six West African countries under U.S. Government auspices.