Slim Harpo, “I’m a King Bee”

Today is the birthday of the great blues musician Slim Harpo (James Moore, 1924-1970). Although just as adept at guitar, he is of course named after his other instrument, the blues harmonica. Originally known as Harmonica Slim, he was the brother-in-law of Lightnin’ Slim.

Both sides of his 1957 debut single (“I’m a King Bee” b/w “I Got Love If You Want It” became major blues and rock standards covered by countless American blues artists and British invasion bands over the years: the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, the Doors, etc etc. Other successes for Harpo included “Rainin’ in My Heart” (1961), “Shake Your Hips” and “Baby Scratch My Back” (1966). He died of a heart attack at the very young age of 46

For more on show biz history, consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous, available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever nutty books are sold.

And don’t miss my new book: Chain of Fools: Silent Comedy and Its Legacies from Nickelodeons to Youtube, just released by Bear Manor Media, also available from amazon.com etc etc etc