RIP James Harman

  In a time, where another musician/celeb’s passing is as commonplace as another mass shooting, dying in the shadow of B.J. Thomas, Gavin MacLeod, and Eric Carle, has to be tough on the best blues musician you never heard of  James Harman, bluesman, storyteller. . .and harmonica player, passed away last week. And yes, I am prejudice, because he was my friend - but all you have to do is listen to know I’m right.

The exact date ranging from the 19th to 23rd, depending on the source - quite fitting for a blues legend - with nary a word from anyone outside the blues community.  Fitting, but unfair.  Fitting because it is the blues community - already hit hard in the past months with the loss of Paul Oscher (Muddy Waters Band) and Gene Taylor (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blasters) - because it’s there the loss is unimaginable. Unfair, because Harman was the hardest working man in show biz, this side of James Brown his own damn-self, besides he had a fifty-seven-year career that deserves note - even if it does fall between the guy who invented Post-Its and the kid who interviewed President Obama.

                Born in Aniston, Alabama in 1943, Harman began his career - when he “left the church choir to sing about women” - making his recording debut in 1964.  Early beginning in the Florida blues clubs form a life-long relationship with Canned Heat, Harman arrived in Chicago a week after his “oldest living friend” Charlie Musselwhite and began a connection with a generation of players that are gone from us now. Always ready with support, technique advice or a thousand stories for new artists, Harman told me the story about sitting in the front seat with Big Walter Horton -eating fried chicken - when Big Walter licked grease from his fingers and played a riff - Harman seized the opportunity and copied the riff.  Big Walter slammed a fist down on James’ knee and said, “I didn’t tell you to go down there.”  I’m thankful his lessons were a bit gentler - he’d simply take a moment to ponder what you said or give that look that said “Hey Now!” - amazing for a man nicknamed ‘Icepick.’

                With Harman’s move to the West Coast in the 1970’s, he formed the James Harman Band (David “Kid” Ramos, Hollywood Fats, Willie J Campbell (Bass) and Stephen Hodges (Drums)) playing legendary sites like The Ash Grove and Belly-Up Tavern - forming lasting friendships with ground breaking L.A. bands like The Paladins and The Blasters. Through the years, from San Diego to Long Beach, the Huntington Beach bluesman became a mainstay of the Southern California blues scene and beyond playing alongside everyone from Mavis staples to ZZ Top.

                After surviving a year of pandemic canceled appearances - a blow to blues acts worldwide - Harman was hit with a Stage Four cancer diagnosis.  The blues community rallied raising over $55,000 (via a GoFundMe page set up for his medical expenses) it looked as if he’d beaten it and was going to rally - his last Facebook post - a photo of him and the late Sam Myers - appeared on May 16th.  Apparently, he suffered a heart attack during a treatment.  Since then accolades and condolences from the blues community continue to pour in, all filled with common words like “numb,” “devastated’”

                Around the time word of the GoFundMe page was getting out, I read a Red Devils blog (I wish I could remember who it was) the writer said something to the effect “If you haven’t heard of James Harman, it’s your won damn fault.”

                I’ve been trying to find the words to write this for a couple of weeks. I’m still numb, and can’t imagine saying goodbye. Words fail me - so I’ll let James have the last ones = ”Thank You, Baby.”




1981 - This Band Just Won’t Behave (EP) [Icepick Records #001]

1983 - Thank You Baby [Enigma E1033]

1987 - Those Dangerous Gentlemen [Rhino RNLP 70837

1988 - Extra Napkins: Strictly the Blues Vol. 1 [Rivera Records]

1990 - Strictly Live . . . in  ’85! Vol 1 [Rivera Records]

1990 - Two Sides to Every Story [Black Top Records BT 1091]

1991 - Do Not Disturb [Black Top Records]

1994 - Cards on the Table [Black Top Records]

1995 - black & white [Black Top Records]

1996 - 13 Side Dishes {Special Limited (500) Compilation for the 1996 Ultimate Blues Cruise]

1998 - Taking Chances [Cannonball Records]

2000 - Mo Na’kins Please: Strictly the Blues Vol. 2 [Cannonball Records]

2003 - Lonesome Moon Trance [Pacific Coast Recording Co.]

2003 - Key to My Kingdom = Enrico Crivellaro (feat. Finis Tasby + James Harman) [Electro-Fi]                       (“Drnikin Cheap Champange (From a Dixie Cup)” & “Help Me Flip Another Flop”)

2005 - [RE] Strictly Live in ’85…Plus [Pacific Blues] Reissue w/ 3 extra tracks.

2008 - Do Not Disturb [Hepcat Records] Reissue      

2012 - La Futura - ZZ Top

2012 - Lookin' for Lucky - STeve Kozak

2012 - James Harman’s Bamboo Porch (Live at “Little Village”) [Gulf Coast Records]

2013 - Remembering Little Walter - Various (Blind Pig ]

2015 - Bonetime [Electro-Fi Records]

(2013 & 2016) Trickbag Swedish blues band)

2017 - Icepick’s Story [Collection of Blacktop records recordings)

2017 - Perpetual Lua - Patrick Ecob

2018- Big Bad blues - Billy F. Gibbons

2018 - Fineprint [Electro-Fi Records]

2019 - Liquor Parking [Big Tone Records

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