Joe Willie Wilkins — Rare 1976 Performances (King Biscuit Guitarist)

Rare footage and photographs of Joe Willie Wilkins—one of the most influential yet least documented guitarists of the Delta blues tradition. Best known for his work on the King Biscuit Time radio broadcasts, Wilkins helped shape the sound behind some of the most important figures in blues history. This collection captures two rare filmed appearances from 1976: 📍 September 25, 1976 — The Back Door, San Diego State University (CA) An intimate solo performance—quiet, controlled, and deeply rooted. Strong time, relaxed phrasing, and Delta vocabulary without excess. 🎺 1976 — Monterey Jazz Festival A rare festival appearance—first solo, then alongside James Cotton—showing Wilkins in a full performance setting while maintaining his grounding role. Wilkins was most often heard—not seen—supporting artists such as: Sonny Boy Williamson II Robert Lockwood Jr. Willie Love Pinetop Perkins Houston Stackhouse This footage offers rare visual insight into his playing, phrasing, and role within the music. 🎓 Educational Use Only Presented for historical and educational purposes—helping document a largely unseen figure in post-war Delta and early Chicago blues. 📺 Source & Historical Context Further documentation on King Biscuit Time and its musicians: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9uMcn0Ieuw Low volume. Direct phrasing. Function over flash. A working musician’s approach—captured on film. Early Electric Blues • 1937–1953 My approach is subtraction. Not changing the music… but stripping it back to what made it work in the first place. So it can breathe again. — Mark Mumea 🎯 Full lesson system (Lessons 1–6) 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F1OqlzG0Mk New lessons posted regularly. Full Chicago Blues guitar lesson archive available on this channel. #JoeWillieWilkins #KingBiscuitTime #DeltaBlues #BluesHistory #TraditionalBlues #RootsBlues #BluesGuitar #AmericanRootsMusic #MontereyJazzFestival #VintageBlues

Added 24 May 2026