Blues Legend Mel Brown Near Death

Just heard this on the local news. Blues legend Mel Brown has been taken off a ventilator at St. Mary's Hospital and is near death. At the moment, he is breathing on his own, but doctors are not optimistic.

www.570news.com...

KITCHENER - The wife of legendary blues artist Mel Brown has released a statement on her husband's health.

In it, Miss Angel says the 69-year-old was taken off a ventilator this morning and is breathing on his own.

She says she can't thank people enough for their thoughts
and prayers.

Brown suffered from a collapsed lung and remains in critical condition at St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener.

He played and recorded with a long list of famous acts, including B-B King and David Bowie.

Brown was born in Jackson, Mississippi and moved to Kitchener in 1989 where he became one of the area's most popular musicians.

So far there is no posting on his website:
www.melbrownblues.com...

Here is a bio:
www.electrofi.com...

The organizer of the Kitchener Blues Festival, formerly called Brews, Blues and Barbeques, relates a story how one time BB King was in town and Mel went to go see him, as they were good friends. BB King told Mel that he only wished he could play as good as Brown. I've had the pleasure of seeing him play numerous times at the festival and in the former Hoodoo Lounge with the house band. All I can say is, that man could play the blues like no other.

On March 20, Mel Brown passed away.

Rest in Peace

Mel Brown
October 7, 1939 - March 20, 2009

In order to accommodate Mel's friends, fans and family who are unable to travel to Kitchener to attend his funeral. The service will be available online at the free streaming service www.popularminority.com. Saturday April 4th at 1pm EST.

The Rev.Bobby Bowen of Mississippi will perform the service which will include musical tributes from Shawn Kellerman and the Homewreckers, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, Steve Strongman and Julian Fauth.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, the cradle of the Delta Blues, on Oct. 7, 1939, Brown lived in the music centres of Los Angeles, Nashville and Austin before settling in Kitchener in 1989.

His first gig was with the famous harp player Sonny Boy Williamson. Brown's last show was a Sunday afternoon gig at the Boathouse in Victoria Park. In between, Brown played and recorded with a long roster of musicians, including B.B. King, T-bone Walker, Snooky Pryor, Bobby Bland, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Lee Hooker, David Bowie, Dr. John, Sonny and Cher, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

news.therecord.com...

Some YouTubes of Mel Brown and Miss Angel(Third one highly recommended):









[edit on 4-4-2009 by TheComte]