Sam Myers Passes
Monday July 17, 2006
There is word from Dallas that vocalist Sam Myers has passed away at the age of 70. He had recently been winning the battle with throat cancer. Myers started as a drummer in Mississippi jukes, moving to Chicago where he played with Elmore James, then on to become vocalist and harp man with Texas Blues icons Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets. Sam was a great Blues personality who was the winner of many W.C. Handy Awards and a Grammy nomination.
University Press of Mississippi announced they are publishing Sam Myer's autobiography.
Comments
It is true that Sam battled cancer in the past. But Sam won that particular battle when all the cancer was removed this past April. Sam aspirated, which led to his death. He was cancer-free.
Another good bluesman passes into the night.
They all seem to be leaving now, but we will try an play it right.
During my personal odyssey of learning about the beauty that is blues, Sam’s work with Anson Funderburgh and The Rockets was one of the first things I heard that really made me sit up and say, “Wow! This stuff is great!” A few years later, while living in New York for a little while, Anson & The Rockets featuring Sam Myers was the first act I made the effort to see while having the opportunity to catch so much live music in the city. Sam seemed frail, even back then (about 10 years ago), needing assistance up and down from the stage, but he could still belt it, eliciting roars of applause at Manny’s Car Wash, the dinky Upper East Side club where they played. I felt lucky to be there and will keep listening to his soulful, robust voice with a great memory I will never lose.
last time i saw and heard mr. meyers live was in reno, nevada…december 11, 1998…it was so good i went back the next night on the 12th….this was at Brew Brothers inside the eldorado hotel/casino…i met anson and mr. meyers that night…that’s it, i got to MEET him…