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Norman Beaker. . . . .

Norman Beaker . .. .

Born:  Manchester, England 1950

  Hit Songs: . . .

Blues Hall of Fame ® Interviewer:
British Bluesman Norman Beaker, born Norman Hume in Manchester, England in 1950, one of the very few who can claim to playing a role in creating the signature sound of an era when the devastation and deprivation of postwar Britain, particularly its northern cities, which found it's expression in America's most gritty musical tradition, The Blues.
From the time he was a teenager Norman was at the nerve centre of the budding British Blues scene in its genesis, honing his skills with Graham Bond, Alexis Korner and other great artists of their calibre.

This set the stage for his later work playing and recording with a "Who's Who of Blues" from both sides of the Atlantic, such as Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Jimmy Rogers, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Eric Burdon, Lowell Fulson, Van Morrison, Fenton Robinson, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell, John Lord, James Booker, Mick Abrahams, Ruby Turner, Madeline Bell, Robert Plant, Paul Jones, Tony Ashton, Larry Garner, Chris Farlowe..and so many others. B.B. King said Norman was like "a white Freddie King", a compliment indeed. But though he's sometimes likened to Mr King and Peter Green, the source of his art is the wellspring of his own life and genius.

And yet, despite his distinguished history, Norman has always remained in the corner of the eye. The ultimate paradox of blues is that many of the most genuine blues musicians aren't widely known, simply because they personify the unpretentious and selfless spirit of the music itself. Though Mr Beaker never acquired a "big" name, he's the one that the most famous blues artists trusted, being as hardworking, humourous and goodnatured as he is talented. His abilities as a superb frontman as well as his excellence as a backing musician is testimony to his integrity in serving the music rather than himself.

Norman is either playing his homeland, or tirelessly touring the Continent, from Sweden to Belgium to Germany to the Balkans and everywhere in between, sharing the classic blues of his birthplace and earning a loyal following wherever he plays. Sadly, original British blues as it was forged in its early days has become obscured by later trends in popular music. With rare exception, those first to blend the sound of the Delta and Chicago with musical traditions of the UK are known mainly to aficionados...and each year there are less of the ones who created great art from hardship in a remarkable place and time. Those who work to keep it alive are worthy of the greatest respect.

If the heart of blues combines great talent and skill with the authority to console, Norman Hume Beaker is the genre's most dedicated acolyte.

Sally Jane Sharp-Paulsen 1/19/17

Norman Beaker Personal Web Sites:: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Norman Beaker other Web Sites:. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Norman Beaker Legendary Blues Artist Exhibit in the Blues Hall of Fame ®