We lost Francis Clay yesterday.

Francis was one of the blues greats. He played drums with an amazing variety of early classic blues and Jazz greats, including being a long time member of the “Muddy Waters Blues Band”. He also played with, Little Walter, Otis Spann, Clifton Chenier, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed (to name a few) and was a founding member of the James Cotton Blues Band.

He will be missed by those who knew him well, his wonderful sense of humor, his generosity, and his spirited love of music. It sounds like he passed quietly in his sleep, which is a blessing I suppose, and at eighty five, he’d had a pretty good innings. Francis left the world a richer place for having been a part of it, and for having lived a full and productive life.

He was a good friend, and I will miss him.

Happy travels old friend, see you down the line,

Pete