Otis Rush

Otis Rush was one of the three architects of the West Side Chicago blues sound (alongside Magic Sam and Buddy Guy), a left-handed guitarist whose stinging, minor-key style and anguished vocals set a template for modern blues guitar. His recordings for Cobra Records in 1956-58, particularly 'I Can't Quit You Baby,' 'All Your Love (I Miss Loving),' and 'Double Trouble,' are among the most influential blues recordings of the postwar era. His guitar tone (a cutting, sustain-heavy sound played on a left-handed Gibson ES-335) influenced Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and virtually every subsequent blues-rock guitarist. Despite his enormous influence, Rush's career was plagued by bad record deals, label difficulties, and personal struggles. A debilitating stroke in 2003 ended his performing career.