JaBbA's Hut

Cleveland resident and Blues legend Robert Lockwood, Jr. died yesterday at 91.

Lockwood was our last direct connection to the great Robert Johnson. He learned to play from Johnson, who had moved in with Lockwood's mother, and was the only person left who played in Johnson's unique style - everyone else who plays Johnson's music had to learn it after learning guitar another way. Lockwood's guitar playing was Johnson's style.

Lockwood has been playing Wade Oval Wednesdays here in Cleveland the last couple of years. Two years ago, a storm blew in as he was starting. Last year, I was stuck doing something else. Now he's gone.

Blues fans have lost a treasure.