Willie Kizart | |
|---|---|
| Born | Willie Lee Kizart January 4, 1932 Tutwiler, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | September 2, 1998(1998-09-02) (aged 66) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, R&B, rock and roll |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Formerly of | Ike Turner,Kings of Rhythm |
Willie Kizart (January 4, 1932 – September 2, 1998) was an Americanelectric bluesguitarist best known for being a member ofIke Turner'sKings of Rhythm in the 1950s. Kizart played guitar on "Rocket 88" in 1951, which is considered by some accounts to be thefirst rock and roll record.[1][2] The record is noted for featuring one of the first examples ofdistortion ever recorded; played by Kizart.[3]
Willie Lee Kizart was born inTutwiler, Mississippi on January 4, 1932.[4] His father, Lee Kizart, was a localblues andboogie pianist. He also repaired pianos and gave music lessons. Since childhood, Kizart was exposed to variousDelta Blues musicians who performed at his father's cafe inGlendora, which became well known for its blues music. Kizart learned how to play guitar from slide guitaristEarl Hooker.[5] In his teens he joinedIke Turner's band, theKings of Rhythm.
In March 1951, the Kings of Rhythm traveled to Memphis for a recording session atSam Phillips'Memphis Recording Service. During the drive to the studio, Kizart'samplifier was damaged onHighway 61 after being dropped from the car's trunk when the band got a flat tire. The amplifier was stuffed with wadded newspapers to keep the speaker cone in place, which unintentionally created adistorted sound during the recording of "Rocket 88."[5][6] The single was released in April 1951 and reachednumber-one on theBillboard R&B charts in June 1951.[7] The record was credited to saxophonist and vocalistJackie Brenston, causing friction in the band. Turner and the band were only paid $20 each for the record with the exception of Brenston who sold the rights to Phillips for $910.[8] Following the success of the record, Brenston left the band to pursue a solo career and Turner disbanded the Kings of Rhythm for a few years.
In October 1952, Kizart joined Kings of Rhythm saxophonistRaymond Hill for a session atSun Studio. The recordings were later released on various compilation albums, includingSun: The Roots Of Rock: Volume 3: Delta Rhythm Kings (1976) andSun Records: The Blues Years 1950-1956 (1984).
In late 1954, Kizart moved toEast St. Louis with Turner and the newly reformed Kings of Rhythm.[9] The other band members included Willie "Bad Boy" Sims on drums, vocalist Johnny O'Neal, Turner's nephew Jessie Knight Jr. on bass, and Turner's wife Annie Mae Wilson on piano and vocals. Turner moved over from playing piano to guitar in order to accommodate Wilson, taking lessons from Kizart to improve.[10]
Kizart later worked as a session musician, backing localSt. Louis musicians such as "Little Aaron" Mosby.[11]
Kizart died at the age of 66 inDallas on September 2, 1998.[4]
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