Bluesman Chick Willis is one of the elders of the Deep South’s chitlin’ circuit. For over 40 years, Willis has been a fan favorite for his expert showmanship, wit, and sometimes bawdy music. Now in his 70s, Willis speaks his mind about the past, present, and future of the blues.

Matthew Robinson
Still A Wild Mustang
By Roger Gatchet

Austin, Texas, native Matthew Robinson is one of the central characters in the local blues scene. From his earliest days with the local band the Mustangs to his current group the Texas Blues Band, Robinson has been holding the line on the central Texas blues.

Johnny Mars
Life On Mars
By Scott M. Bock

Harp blower Johnny Mars was born in South Carolina but cut his teeth in the 1960s San Francisco psychedelic scene. Heavily influenced by the experimental music of the era, Mars developed his own sound, complete with new tunings and electronic effects for the harp. Based in England for the last 30 years, Mars has come full circle and is now performing in a traditional acoustic duo with Michael Roach.

In 1975 young photographer Michael L. Abramson captured on film life in the blues clubs of Chicago’s South Side. LB presents a sneak preview of the new collection of his work that has just been published by the Numero Group.

Cover Photo by Gene Tomko