A great blues guitarist and pianist, Henry Townsend grew up near Cairo, Illinois. After moving to St. Louis, he made his first record in 1929. During the 1930s, he played with many of the early blues giants, including Walter Davis, Roosevelt Sykes and Robert Johnson. Henry went on to record in 8 decades, and became the Patriarch of St. Louis Blues, as well as a Grammy recipient!
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First had the pleasure of meeting Henry and Alonzo Townsend during the early 90’s, when the St. Louis Blues & Heritage festival rocked the Landing. Back in those days there was a palpable community energy behind it, and the power of the St. Louis Blues Society along with John May & Mark O’Shaughnessy!
John May helped arrange the STLBlues interview at Henry’s home. Our friendship began, and one highlight really stands out. It was at my Soulard backyard ‘Blues Brews and BBQ event (1993-96), when two of my guests included Henry and Alonzo Townsend! That was epic, maybe you were there!
And as you probably know, Alonzo Townsend has carried on the legacy!!
>> from STL Public Radio: Alonzo Townsend is not just a champion for St. Louis music — he was born into it.
<——-HENRY TOWNSEND ——–>
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Henry Townsend – The Real St. Louis Blues – by Jeff Konkel
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STLBlues 2006 interview w Henry Townsend
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Excerpts from an interview by Steve Pick
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Henry Townsend remembered on his 100th
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Steven Seagal records with Henry Townsend
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All the STLBlues interviews
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All the STLBlues Reviews
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HENRY TOWNSEND GALLERY
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HENRY TOWNSEND ON YOUTUBE
1986 St. Louis Blues Festival – Henry Townsend
