All Things Considered

Longtime Minnesota blues band faces uncertainty after front man suffers stroke

A man plays the harmonica
Pat "Lamont" Hayes of The Lamont Cranston Band.
Courtesy photo

The future of Minnesota blues mainstay Lamont Cranston Band is in flux as its front man faces a health crisis.

Pat “Lamont” Hayes had a stroke earlier in December. Hayes is the lead singer, guitarist and harpist for the blues band, which has been active since 1969 and has played at venues across the country.

“It’s definitely a strain. Everybody’s wondering what to do and what we should do,” Rico Anderson, who manages the band, told MPR News guest host Emily Reese.

Anderson started a fundraiser to help Hayes’ family with medical bills and expenses. There will also be a show Friday, Dec. 27 at Blues Saloon in St. Paul as a part of the effort — a show which was meant to be a solo show for Hayes.

Anderson said he’ll need to take some time to figure out what’s next for the band.

“It’ll be a month or so to sort some of that out — to start getting a plan of action.”

To hear the full interview with Rico Anderson, click play on the audio player above.

Dear reader,

Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.

Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?

It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
Reveal with Al Letson