Bluesman Clarence Butler passes aged 61

Bluesman Clarence Butler passes aged 61 in Detroit. Fundraiser/Tribute being held Dec. 26 at the Attic Bar, Hamtramck, Detroit.

(PRWEB_ December 26 2003--The Great Butler Twin and legendary harmonica blues man, Clarence Butler, passed away Dec. 22 in Detroit. He is survived by his twin brother Curtis.

Curtis and Clarence, sons of an Alabama sharecropper, were born seconds apart on Jan. 21, 1942 (in the middle of a family of 16) in Florence, Ala. Their father, Willie "Butch" Butler, sang and played guitar while partner Raymond Edwards played harp. The "Twins" were taught how to tune and play guitar and by age 7 the Twins won a talent contest at the W.C. Handy Elementary School and played in the abandoned house where W.C. Handy once lived.

Clarence performed with his brother Curtis on the Detroit Blues scene since they were teenagers as The Butler Twins. Clarence also recorded with Ben Harper, Kenny Parker and others.

The sad news is that Clarence died without insurance and there is no money for a funeral. Detroit blues fans are trying to do something about this by holding a wake, tribute and fundraiser for Clarence on Dec. 26 at the Attic Bar in Hamtramck from 5 p.m. until late.

Curtis and Clarence lived upstairs in the Attic Bar, which was like a second home to them for many years.

If you have it in your heart this season to do a good deed, please come down and donate something - whatever you can- to the Clarence Butler Fund at the Attic Bar, Tel: 313-365-4194.

Discography:
1988 -- Live In Detroit, Blues Factory
1995 -- Not Gonna Worry About Tomorrow
1996 -- Pursue Your Dreams, JSP

Also Appeared on:
Ben Harper -- CD Box Collection
Ben Harper -- Welcome To The Cruel World
Kenny Parker -- Raise The Dead
Various Artists -- Blues Across America: The Detroit Scene
Various Artists -- Blues Harp Greats
Various Artists -- Blues Harp Hotshots
Various Artists -- Too Hot For Me
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