So far 2016 has been pretty brutal when it comes to important musicians dying: Paul Bley, Pierre Boulez, David Bowie. On Friday one of Chicago’s greatest soul and gospel singers, Otis Clay, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 73. The Mississippi native got his start singing gospel, and his gritty, expressive hard-soul style conveyed inextricable links to the church. Clay achieved some of his most lasting fame in the early 70s, working with Memphis institution Hi Records, for which he waxed indelible hits such as “Trying to Live My Life Without You.”
Today’s playlist:
