Oldest Grammy Winner Dies At 97
B. B. King has paid tribute to Pinetop Perkins (pictured), who has died at the age of 97. Said King: “He was one of the last great Mississippi Bluesmen. He had such a distinctive voice, and he sure could play the piano. He will be missed not only by me, but by lovers of music all over the world.” Perkins, who played with Muddy Waters and became the oldest Grammy winner this year, died yesterday at home in Austin, Texas, following a cardiac arrest. Perkins learned his trade performing in bars among the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta had. He attracted the attention of Muddy Waters and went on to perform with artists like Sonny Boy Williamson. Perkins once said: “I didn’t get no schooling. I come up the hard way in the world.”