We're saddened to report that legendary West Coast blues singer Finis Tasby has suffered a severe stroke that has hospitalized the popular vocalist. Delta Groove Music head Randy Chortkoff reports that Tasby is suffering from temporary paralysis but has begun speaking and has regained some limited mobility. He will begin receiving physical therapy soon.
Tasby was born in Dallas, Texas in 1940 and grew up surrounded by the rich blues tradition of the Lone Star state. He began his career playing drums for local bands before switching to bass guitar, picking up gigs playing and singing back-up with artists like ZZ Hill, Freddie King, and Clarence Carter. By the 1960s, Tasby was fronting his own band and quickly earned a reputation as a soulful vocalist and electrifying performer. Finis formed a friendship with Chortkoff in the late 1990s when the harp player produced Tasby's 1998 album Jump Children! Tasby would later become an inaugural member of Chortkoff's blues and R&B supergroup the Mannish Boys, where he's been able to bring his smooth-as-silk vocal style to an entirely new generation of blues fans.
Tasby is currently on Medicare but, as he is unable to perform, he has no income. Chortkoff has set-up a PayPal fund for Tasby on the Delta Groove website where fans can donate to help with Tasby's living expenses. Fans that wish to donate by check, or that would like to send the singer a card with a few words of encouragement, send them to this address:
Finis Tasby
c/o Delta Groove Productions
16501 Sherman Way, Suite 100
Van Nuys CA 91406
We wish Finis Tasby a quick recovery and a rapid return to the stage!
Finis Tasby photo courtesy Delta Blues Music
Comments
Hallo, I met Finis in august at the Varenwinkelfestival Belgium.I read that he had a severe stroke. I hope that he recovers good.How is his condition today? Hoping that he is ok.
My thoughts are with him and his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Alain