The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Julia Baird and blues legend James "Super Chikan" Johnson were in attendance to unveil the blue plaque
On Friday 18 October, Visit Mississippi teamed up with Liverpool’s most iconic music venue The Cavern Club to host a spectacular taste of the best blues music Mississippi has to offer, courtesy of legendary Clarksdale musician James "Super Chikan" Johnson.
Celebrating the official placement of the Blues Trail from Mississippi to the British Isles, rededicating the marker came as part of Visit Mississippi’s efforts to further develop cultural tourism.
Visit Mississippi’s Director of Tourism Rochelle Hicks said “I’m honoured to be here today as we pay tribute to Mississippi’s rich musical heritage as the birthplace of America’s music. The Mississippi Blues Trail stands as a testament to our state’s profound influence on the genre, honouring the musicians, venues and landmarks that have nurtured the creative forces whose music has defined generations and captivated audiences worldwide,” adding “Each marker tells a story, not only celebrating artists, but also the venues and communities that inspired and supported their music.”
Chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission, Craig Ray, discussed the development of the project over the years, how the commission has seen the trail grow to 217 markers spread over seven states and also now over here in England, too.
Also in attendance was Julia Baird, sister of John Lennon, founder of Liverpool’s (and arguably the UK’s) most iconic band The Beatles.
“There’s been that joined up thinking, singing, musicianship going on between Liverpool, Memphis and down into the Mississippi for a long, long time,” she said, recounting on times when her, John and Paul (McCartney) would listen to “the very first strains” of what blues music they could get ahold of on record to play at home.
“I remember my father coming into the house and saying to my mother ‘Is this it? Is this what you wanted?’ and it was Elvis’ Heartbreak Hotel. It was put onto the deck and suddenly John and my cousin, Lela, I remember them jiving,” she continued with a smile.
We then headed across the road on Matthew Street to watch the grand unveiling where Councillor Richard Kemp, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, did the honours.
“We love having visitors here, we love music, we share a heritage with [Mississippi], so let’s continue to build on that heritage…,” he said as he revealed the shiny blue plaque on the wall outside The Cavern Club Restaurant.
It wouldn’t be a true Mississippi blues celebration without some authentic blues music to go along with it, so back inside the Cavern Rochelle welcomed to the stage “Mississippi’s very own blues legend” James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson who performed a series of original songs on his electric guitar and diddley bow, as well as a beautiful blues rendition of You Are My Sunshine that he used to sing for his grandma back in Clarksdale when he was younger.
If you’d like to find out more about The Blues Trail or Mississippi and its vast musical heritage, head to VisitMississippi.org.
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
