This time in our Behind The Keys series, we’ll take a look at the life of Memphis Slim. Slim brought his unique blues piano to the masses and helped to pioneer the popular sound of the blues in it’s 1950’s heyday.

We are deeply saddened to report that Willie “Big Eyes” Smith passed away early the morning of September 16, 2011 at his home in Chicago from a stroke. All arrangements are pending and information will be forthcoming.

Today in September 16, 1925, B.B. King was born in the rural Mississippi Delta. The king of the blues is 86 years young today, and still touring and entertaining crowds across the world.