Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

1936–2011 (age 75)

Blues drummer and vocalist

Biography

Willie “Big Eyes” Smith was a foundational presence in the blues, keeping powerful rhythms alive behind Muddy Waters and many other legends while lending his soulful vocals to countless sessions.

He shared the stage with reverence for tradition and a playful spirit, ensuring that the heartbeat of the blues kept marching on, a legacy now resting at Restvale Cemetery.

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