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Obituaries
Blues man Kirkland dies
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 1 March 2011
Blues man Eddie Kirkland, known as the Gypsy Of The Blues because of his relentless touring, has died after being involved in a car crash in Florida. According to reports, the 88 year old’s car flipped over after he attempted a u-turn in front of an approaching bus.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Alabama, Kirkland dabbled with music at various points in his early years, though his professional career really began when he met John Lee Hooker while playing guitar at a house party in the late 1940s. He went on to work with Hooker throughout the 1950s, both as his road manager, and appearing on numerous recordings with his fellow blues performer as second guitarist.
He also recorded a number of albums of his own for various labels during this period, and continued to release new material throughout much of his life, with particular flurries of activity in the 1970s and 1990s. As well as his recording career, he became known for his prolific touring around the US and in Europe.
Kirkland is survived by his wife Mary and nine children.
