Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (January 19, 1936 – September 16, 2011) was a Grammy Award-winning American electric blues vocalist, harmonica player, and multi-award winning drummer. He was best known for several stints with the Muddy Waters band beginning in the early 1960s.
On February 13, 2011, he won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip, an album he recorded with Pinetop Perkins.
In 1961 Smith became a regular member of Muddy Water’s band, which then consisted of George “Mojo” Buford, Luther Tucker, Pat Hare, and Otis Spann. By the mid ’60s he’d left the band for more steady work as a cab driver. In the late ’60s he rejoined Muddy’s band and remained a permanent member until 1980.
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith Cause of death
Willie Smith died following a stroke on September 16, 2011.
Willie Smith was 75 years old at the time of his death.
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith Harmonica