Blues concerts rock Wharton Center
When guitar legend Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads, it was because of the blues. And when the voices of the crowd at Wharton Center’s Great Hall were numbed by the first few notes of a harmonica Thursday night, it was because of the blues. The Muddy Waters Tribute Band, five members, all of whom have played with the late Waters at various points in their careers, drew an audience of all ages to the All Over Blues concert which kicked the audience out of the nonsmoking East Lansing facility and into the smoky clubs of South Chicago. “I’m very impressed, they’re doing Muddy Waters’ name justice,” Leah Bagdon, an English sophomore said. The first guitar solo of the night, which flared from the fingers of Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson cut the rhythm of the music in half. Johnson got his musical start with Muddy Waters in 1973 when he played at The Stables, an East Lansing club no longer in existence. Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, guitarist for the group, said they have received a warm welcome from the community. “They seem to really be enjoying the music which is what we’re here for,” he said.