Once in a while I’ll stumble upon some blues related news that leaves me shaking the ol’ noggin. Just such news came to my attention with the announcement that the Texas Historical Commission has agreed to award a historic marker in honour of Texas blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Now don’t get me wrong- it’s not that I don’t think Lightnin’ is deserving of a historical marker. My reaction was quite the opposite in fact. I was shocked by the fact that here we are in 2010 and Lightnin’ Hopkins’ legacy is just now being honoured with a marker in The Longhorn State. I would have thought that a historical marker in his honour would have been rusted, dust covered, paint peeled and in desperate need of restoration by now.
But ain’t that the blues? Music pioneers such as Lightnin’ had to constantly live with such oversights in their own lifetimes- especially on their home turf. Many blues legends over the years have sadly passed away penniless and alone. Often unable to afford the medical care they desperately needed. All the while watching younger generations of mostly white musicians become international superstars and wealthy beyond imagining -playing the very music they created. No wonder Lightnin’ was inclined to pop the cork on a whiskey bottle.
The blues greats had to travel overseas to receive the accolades and adulation they deserved in their day. But hey- better late then never I say! That’s not to take away from all the great folks over the years who have laboured for wider recognition of the contributions of these music pioneers. People like Houstonian Eric Davis who was the driving force behind this particular effort. Kudos to you Eric!
Below you’ll find a link to the piece I came across regarding a money raising effort to finance a marker. It contains information on how you can donate to this most worthy and long overdue tribute to the great Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Lightnin' Hopkins Marker Donation Info
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