Presented by: NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley
Concert-Specific Information • Full Concert Series Information
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GRAMMY Award-winning Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson is one of the premier blues artists to emerge from Chicago’s music scene. Hailing from Itta Bena, Miss., Johnson arrived in Chicago in the mid-’50s as a young man. Johnson is primarily known for developing the 'West Side' guitar style, a way of playing alternating stinging single-note leads with powerful distorted chords. Originally developed because their small bands could not afford both lead and rhythm guitar players, this style grew into an important contribution to modern blues and rock, influencing such notables as Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler.
Today, Johnson is widely considered the foremost proponent of the 'West Side' guitar style. Johnson first gained an international reputation as a guitarist and vocalist with Muddy Waters’ band, touring the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia from 1973-79. Given the opportunity to front the band on his featured tunes in each show, Johnson’s super-charged performances consistently thrilled audiences in the world’s leading concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Radio City Music Hall as well as at music festivals in Newport, Antibes, New Orleans and countless others. During his association with Muddy Waters, Johnson also shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers and Johnny Winter.
Opening Act: Brian James Quartet
NeighborWorks® Blackstone River Valley
2019 Levitt AMP Concert Series Winner • June 14 – August 23, 2019
The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series will return for the second year, enlivening River Island Art Park — an urban green space within steps of the city’s Main Street — and reinvigorating what was once a scenic and bustling public gathering place in the heart of the city. Through engaging, family-friendly concerts that bring residents and local businesses together, the 2019 series will continue to catalyze cultural, community and economic growth in the center of Woonsocket.
Presented by the NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, a nonprofit community development corporation that works to enrich neighborhood life throughout Northern Rhode Island, in partnership with the City of Woonsocket Office of Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, St. James Baptist Church and College Ready Communities.