System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Richard Newell, Musician
March 11, 1944 - January 05, 2003
Richard Newell, a.k.a. King Biscuit Boy, was found dead in his Hamilton, Ontario home on Sunday, January 5, 2003. Newel had been suffering for years with chronic bronchitis. He was 58.
One of Canada’s finest blues musicians, he counted Keith Richards and Paul McCartney among his fans. “He was one of the great ones, boy," said Ronnie Hawkins. "He was one of the most talented kids I'd ever seen." In 1971, when his career as a blues singer and harmonica player was barely out of its infancy, Rolling Stone magazine called him "legendary."
Discovered by Hawkins, Newell’s skill as a harpist seemed to be matched only by his refusal to live up to others expectations. Friends and fans wished for him to fulfill his potential and gain the widespread recognition that his talent deserved. But it was not to be. He drank too much. He wouldn't show up for gigs. He wouldn't do what everyone expected of him. He was there for the music, not the fame.
There are far too few recordings to remember him by, only a half dozen albums, two hard-to-find bootlegs and a few bits of unreleased material. But he did record some of the finest blues music ever produced in Canada -- albums like Official Music and Gooduns with the band, Crowbar. He recorded in New Orleans in 1975 with pioneers like The Neville Brothers, King Curtis and legendary producer Alan Toussaint.
He played with Muddy Waters, Etta James and Joe Cocker, among others. Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels opened for him. Newell was asked at one point to join The Allman Brothers Band. He said no. There were plans for him to open for The Rolling Stones on tour. The plans fell through.
Newell was a "flawed character" but a "flawless musician," said Kelly Jay who played with Newell in Crowbar. "He did not record a bad record. I challenge anyone to dispute that. He was flawless. He's a national treasure."
Newell is survived by his father, Waller (Dick), his son Richard, his brother Waller (Randy) and sister-in-law Jacqueline Etherington Newell.
