A look back at Jimmy McCracklin’s life through a special exhibit and an interview with his daughter.
Video Content: Jimmy McCracklin Exhibit and Sue McCracklin Interview (2021)
As part of a one-hour special, a look at the special exhibit and an interview with Jimmy McCracklin’s daughter, singer Sue McCracklin. In a celebration of what would have been McCracklin’s 100th birthday, the exhibit — held at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, CA during the month of August 2021 — featured various McCracklin memorabilia, including his awards, gold records, vintage photos, and clothing, including a suit worn by the musician on the “My Story” album cover. Some of the speakers at the event are DeJeana Burkes of The North and Greater Richmond Blues Foundation, Ronnie Stewart of The West Coast Blues Society, Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John M. Gioia, and others.
Jimmy McCracklin Mini-Biography:
Born in 1921, blues singer and pianist Jimmy McCracklin was truly a legend in the music business, where he was known for his West Coast blues and R&B style. He composed close to a thousand songs and recorded hundreds, including the hit “The Walk,” which reached No. 7 on the Billboard pop chart in 1958. Some of his other singles are “Think,” “Just Got to Know,” “Shame, Shame, Shame” and “My Answer.” Resided for most of his life in the Richmond, California area, Mr. McCracklin had a career that spanned seven decades, which started with a debut single called “Miss Mattie Left Me” in 1945 for Globe Records and followed by “Street Loafin’ Woman” the next year. In 1946, McCracklin formed a group called Jimmy McCracklin and his Blues Blasters. His first solo album was “Jimmy McCracklin Sings” in 1962 and his last album, “Hey Baby,” was released in 2010. Mr. McCracklin recorded for many small labels in Los Angeles and Oakland, including Modern Records. He had a short-lived label, Art-Tone, in the 1960s and ran the Continental Club in San Francisco in the early 70s. He recorded over 30 albums, earned four gold records, and was awarded many honors, such as The Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation (in 1990) and the Living Legend and Hall of Fame award at the Bay Area Black Music Awards (in 2007). Mr. McCracklin passed away on December 20, 2012.
Recorded in 2003, SIDEWALKS host Cindy Rhodes has a brief “red carpet” interview with the singer and songwriter at the California Music Awards. Some of the questions by Rhodes, who was new, at the time of the interview, to his body of work, include where he was from, working with other recording artists, and winning that day the California Music Award.
Credits:
Recorded: August 14, 2021
Host / Producer / Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: DeJeana Burkes of The North and Greater Richmond Blues Foundation, Sue McCracklin, Melinda McCrary of Richmond Museum of History & Culture