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Artist
Bill Rhoades & The Party Kings
6+ albums
harmonicabluesharmonica blues
about
Bill Rhoades - Harmonica and vocals Michael Osborn - Guitar and vocals Franck Goldwasser - Guitar and vocals Jim Miller - Bass and vocals Eddie Clark - Drums Bill Rhoades has been called the "Godfather" of the Northwest Blues scene. Growing up in Eugene, OR., Bill became interested in the Blues in the mid 1960's thru listening to the British Invasion groups who were covering Blues songs by American Blues artists. Bill sought out recordings by these artists and began playing harmonica at this time also. By the end of the 60's Bill was starting to perform with a small group of friends and in the early 1970's had formed his first band "The Rhythm Kings." By the mid 70's the opportunity came up to host a radio show on KLCC 89.7 FM called "Blues Power". Bill was on the air for almost nine years. Also at the time, Bill started the Oregon blues Society with longtime friend Ray Varner. By the mid 70's his band had dissolved so he formed a new group called the Bill Rhoades Blues Band, which later became the Party Kings. This band had a two year stretch as the house band at Taylors in Eugene. Also during this time the "Kings" had the honor to back up Albert Collins, Louisiana Red, Sonny Rhodes, J.J. Malone, Troyce Key, and Michael Bloomfield. A young Robert Cray would also come sit in with the band. They also opened shows for Son Seals, James Cotton, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells and Bill had the pleasure to sit in with Buckwheat Zydeco and Queen Ida. During this time Bill also playe
