Willie Robinson
Encyclopedia
William Lorenzo Robinson, better known as "Weepin'" Willie Robinson (July 6, 1926 – December 30, 2007) was an America
blues singer who began his career in the 1950s, and performed with, among others, Susan Tedeschi
, Steven Tyler
and Bonnie Raitt
.
Robinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia
, United States
. Robinson had been a sharecropper, a soldier and a boxer. A steady position as an emcee/comedian at a Trenton, New Jersey
nightclub led to his singing career. He eventually sang with B.B. King 21-piece orchestra. He and King became friends.
Robinson settled in Boston
, Massachusetts
, in 1959 and played in clubs, but by 2004 he was homeless. Musicians and other concerned individuals, when they learned of Robinson's situation, held a benefit concert on his behalf, making sure he was fed and clothed.
He died, aged 81, from a fire accidentally started by a cigarette he had been smoking in bed at his home in Jamaica Plain, Boston. His wife, Alice, long predeceased him. He was survived by a daughter.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
blues singer who began his career in the 1950s, and performed with, among others, Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi is an American blues and soul musician, who has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, and is well-known for her singing voice, guitar playing, stage presence, and marriage to blues guitarist Derek Trucks...
, Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
and Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
.
Robinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Robinson had been a sharecropper, a soldier and a boxer. A steady position as an emcee/comedian at a Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
nightclub led to his singing career. He eventually sang with B.B. King 21-piece orchestra. He and King became friends.
Robinson settled in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, in 1959 and played in clubs, but by 2004 he was homeless. Musicians and other concerned individuals, when they learned of Robinson's situation, held a benefit concert on his behalf, making sure he was fed and clothed.
He died, aged 81, from a fire accidentally started by a cigarette he had been smoking in bed at his home in Jamaica Plain, Boston. His wife, Alice, long predeceased him. He was survived by a daughter.