Muddy Waters' son records blues tribute to his father

Muddy Waters
Seminal American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters, a dominant figure of post-war blues and a highly influential musician.
Keystone/Getty Images

When it comes to the blues, many would say that there is no greater performer than McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters.

As NPR's Linda Wertheimer notes, he helped transform acoustic southern blues into a modern art form, "preserving the raw emotion while polishing the music."

Wertheimer recently talked to Mud Morganfield, son of blues legend Muddy Waters, along with harmonica great Kim Wilson, about their new album of Muddy music, "For Pops: A Tribute to Muddy Waters."

Morganfield was raised by his mother and seven uncles. Although he never got to know his father well, the master bluesman nevertheless left a profound impression on him, as he did many others.

"Deep down inside to those southern feelings and lovers he had encountered and love that he had left," Morganfield told Wertheimer. "And he sung the blues. You know, he sung about life."

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.