Lived And Performed With Muddy Waters On The South Side
“Blues legend Paul Oscher, has had a run of bad luck, health-wise,” his GoFundMe page says.
Editor’s Note, December 2019: See updated GoFundMe information in the comments.)
“He has been in the hospital for greater part of last month with bilateral (double) pneumonia and pleurisy. He was moved on July 4th to a rehab facility to help him get his strength back and also strengthen his lungs. Paul has also been plagued with several other major medical conditions and diseases that have been challenging for him over the past several years. He is also suffering from myelofibrosis (a form of bone marrow cancer), diabetes, fascicular cramp syndrome, peripheral neuropathy in both feet and hands, and COPD. He is a mess.
“Paul is best known for his stint as harmonica player for the great Muddy Waters from the the late ’60s to the early ’70s. He was the first white musician to play in Muddy’s band and even lived in Muddy’s house on Chicago’s South Side. Paul mastered the guitar by watching his boss, Muddy play and the piano by watching the great Otis Spann, who shared the basement with Paul in Muddy’s house. Paul has played with and/or recorded with many major blues artists, such as T-Bone Walker, Otis Spann, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Johnny Young, Johnny CopeIand, Big Joe Turner, Louisiana Red, Big Mama Thornton, Victoria Spivey and many more.”
Check out this cool little documentary. You won’t be sorry.
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Posted on July 10, 2019
