Preston Shannon

Preston Shannon (October 23, 1947 – January 22, 2018)[2] was an American electric blues and soul blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.[1]

Preston Shannon
Born(1947-10-23)October 23, 1947
Olive Branch, Mississippi, United States
OriginMemphis, Tennessee, United States
DiedJanuary 22, 2018(2018-01-22) (aged 70)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresElectric blues, soul blues[1]
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1980s–2018
WebsiteOfficial website

AllMusic noted that "Shannon's speciality is a blend of Southern-fried soul and blues, and his albums and live shows – always with a horn section – are an eclectic mix of danceable, grooving tunes and slow, soulful ballads".[1] Among the songs he wrote are "Beale Street Boogaloo" and "Midnight in Memphis".[3]

Life and career

He was born in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and relocated with his family to nearby Memphis, Tennessee at the age of eight. Despite initial misgiving from his Pentecostal parents, Shannon developed an interest in the blues and played part-time with several local bands, whilst his daytime occupation was with a hardware firm. He began a full-time musical career when he secured a spot in Shirley Brown's backing ensemble.[1]

In 1993, his own Preston Shannon Band played at the Long Beach Blues Festival in Long Beach, California. After being spotted leading his own band in Memphis' Beale Street clubs, he signed to Rounder Records subsidiary, Bullseye Blues, and released his debut solo effort, Break the Ice in 1994. After this followed the Willie Mitchell produced efforts, Midnight in Memphis (1996) and All in Time (1999).[1] However, with no immediate follow-up available, Preston lost momentum.[4] After moving to Title Tunes, he released Be with Me Tonight (2006).[1]

Shannon played at Memphis in May in both 2008 and 2011. In February 2012, Shannon appeared on season two of The Voice, singing "In the Midnight Hour".

He was a regular performer at B.B. King's Blues Club in Memphis.[5] Shannon's final studio recorded album was Dust My Broom (2014).[6]

Death

Preston died of cancer on January 22, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 70.[7]

Discography

Albums
YearTitleRecord label
1994Break the IceBullseye Blues
1996Midnight in MemphisBullseye Blues
1999All in TimeBullseye Blues
2006Be with Me TonightTitle Tunes
2011Goin' Back to MemphisContinental Blue Heaven
2014Dust My BroomContinental Blue Heaven

[6]

Singles
YearTitleRecord label
1999"Tired of the Ghetto Bringing Me Down"Bullseye Blues

[8]

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See also

References
  1. Richard Skelly. "Preston Shannon". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  2. LeBlanc, Eric S.; Eagle, Bob (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience (1st ed.). Santa Barbara, California, United States: Praeger. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-313-34423-7.
  3. "Preston Shannon: Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  4. "Preston Shannon". Soulbluesmusic.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  5. "Shannon Show Dates". Prestonshannon.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  6. "Preston Shannon Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  7. "Musician, Beale Street fixture Preston Shannon dead at 70". Commercialappeal.com. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  8. "Preston Shannon : Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
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