Francis Clay

 

Francis Clay | Contributed Photo/Quad City Times | tc762

Blues drummer Francis Clay was born in Rock Island, Illinois, on November 16, 1923. He started professional playing when he was 15 and became one of the original members of the James Cotton Band. He went on to play with jazz, rock and blues luminaries including Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Parker and John Lee Hooker. 

Mr Clay, who became closely associated with the annual San Francisco Blues Festival, died in San Francisco, California on January 21, 2008.