Chicago blues legend Willie "Big Eyes" Smith passes away, leaves rich legacy

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Another Chicago blues legend has left this world too soon.

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, www.williebigeyessmith.com, passed away Sept. 16 at his Chicago home following a stroke. He was 75.

During his illustrious career, Smith, www.williebigeyessmith.com, played with everybody from Muddy Waters to Pinetop Perkins. In February, he won a Grammy award in the category of best traditional blues album for "Joined at the Hip," an album he recorded with Pinetop Perkins.

Fortunately, blues legend B.B. King continues to thrill us, such as in his duet with Shemekia Copeland on Steve Cropper's new album, "Dedicated." He turned 86 today.