Spann’s Blues

Europe, 1963

Otis Spann performs his original song “Spann’s Blues” in Europe in 1963.

Spann began playing piano by age of eight, influenced by his local ivories stalwart, Friday Ford. At the age of 14, he was playing in bands around Jackson, finding more inspiration in the 78s of Big Maceo Merriweather. It was Merriweather who took the young pianist under his wing once Spann migrated to Chicago in 1946. Spann gigged on his own, and with guitarist Morris Pejoe, working a regular spot at the Tic Toc Lounge.

Spann replaced Merriweather as Muddy Waters’ piano player in late 1952, and participated in his first recording session with the band on September 24, 1953. From 1952 to 1968 Spann was a full-time member of the Muddy Waters band, while periodically recording as a solo artist. In that period he also did session work with other Chess artists like Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley. Yet Spann’s own Chess Records output was limited to but one single in 1954, “It Must Have Been the Devil” backed with “Five Spot”, which featured B.B. King and Jody Williams.

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