Along with his friend Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland was the most
celebrated Texas bluesman of his generation. His huge, soul-drenched
voice and intense guitar made him instantly distinctive. After decades
of struggling as a journeyman blues and R&B player in Houston and
New York, cutting dozens of singles and receiving some radio play, he
burst on the international blues scene with his album
Copeland Special.
Copeland was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, United States. Influenced by T-Bone Walker, he formed the 'Dukes of Rhythm' in Houston, Texas, and made his recording debut in 1956, signing with Duke Records the following year. Although his early records met with little commercial success, he became a popular touring act over the next two decades.
His early recording career embraced blues, soul and rock and roll. He cut singles for Mercury, Golden Eagle and All Boy, amongst others. His first single was "Rock 'n' Roll Lily" and he later cut successes such as "Down On Bending Knees" and "Please
Let Me Know". For the most part, his singles featured Copeland as a
vocalist more than a guitar player.
Copeland also played at the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival, as a guest with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Vaughan and Copeland performed the Bob Geddins song, "Tin Pan Alley" together on Vaughan's
Blues At Sunrise compilation album. He also played on the first edition of BRBF (Blues Peer Festival) later that year.
He won a Grammy in 1987 for best traditional blues album for the album
Showdown!, recorded with Albert Collins and Robert Cray.
His later years were dogged by ill health due to a congenital heart defect. He died, aged 60, in Harlem, New York, from complications of heart surgery for a heart transplanted six months earlier.
His daughter, Shemekia Copeland, established a successful career as a singer.
great soundboard recording quality, sorry no flacs
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