Earl Gilliam was a small man in size but loomed large over the Houston blues scene with his quick smile,wonderful keyboard skills and warm and humorous nature.
He always had time for up-and-coming musicians when they had any questions about music.
Earl was the first blues guy I connected with when I moved back to Houston in 1994. I learned so much from this man that it is immeasurable. He was like a father to me,and in fact,brought my father and I closer than we had ever been.
Dad had always told me, "son,you have to do something other than music to make a living." Shortly before my father passed,he came to see Earl and I play at a local club. He had started to realize that I was playing most every night and was actually doing something with music. After Dad heard Earl,he came to me one day and said, "Hmmmmm.You're playing blues huh? You need an upright bass.I think I'll buy you one........"
This was after 25 + years of him being totally against my being a musician.
My father and I were closer in the last year of his life than we had ever been in the previous 30 or so,mostly because of Earl.
So,thank you Earl. I loved you so much and enjoyed every minute of our 17 years together as friends. You taught me a ton about the blues and maybe even more about life.
Hope they have some gin up there for you brother...........
Earl Gilliam: "A Huge Loss That Can't Be Filled" - Houston Music - Rocks Off Houston blues great Earl Gilliam dies at 81 - Houston Chronicle
This link is a compilation of a 2005 live performance.
EARL GILLIAM Texas Blues Piano - YouTube
These last links are to some of Earl's singles from the 50's and early 60's-
Earl Gilliam Don't Make Me Late Baby - YouTube EARL GILLIAM - WRONG DOING WOMAN - PETITE BABY - SARG 133.wmv - YouTube
