Willie “Big Eyes” Smith

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was born in Helena, Arkansas, in 1936. At age 17, he ventured to Chicago where he heard Muddy Waters for the first time—an experience that got him hooked on the blues and persuaded him to stay in Chicago.

In 1954, Smith, playing harmonica, formed a trio with drummer Clifton James, building a following in Chicago and performing gigs around the area for a few years. During this same time, he played harp with several other artists including Bo Diddley, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires and Johnny Shines. In 1957, Smith joined Little Hudson's Red Devil Trio and switched to playing drums. After gigs or between sets, he started sitting in on drums with Muddy Waters' band.  Muddy liked what he heard, and invited Smith to play drums on a 1959 recording session.

Smith’s traditional shuffle style has been regarded as the heart and soul of the Chicago blues sound, with Smith laying the beat behind many of the blues classics. But these days, fans are just as likely to find him holding on to a harmonica, his first instrument, as a drumstick. An award-winning blues drummer, he is also an accomplished harmonica master and dynamic vocalist.