Soko Richardson
Soko Richardson was born on 08/12/1939 in New Iberia, Louisiana. When he was 16, Richardson left home to tour with local bands in the southern US. When he was in Texas, Ike Turner heard him play and hired him for his band Kings of Rhythm. Turner then formed The Ike & Tina Turner Revue with Richardson on drums. Richardson would work with Tuner for the next ten years.In 1971, Richardson's arrangement of a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Proud Mary" went to number 4 on the pop charts and number 5 on the R&B charts. For the song, the Ike and Tina Turner band won a Grammy for "Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Group".
In 1971, Richardson joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. He would tour and record with the group for the next decade.
In the mid-1980s, Richardson joined Albert Collins and the Icebreakers. This would lead him to become an influential member of the Chicago Blues scene.
In 1985, Albert Collins and the Icebreakers with Richardson won the WC Handy Award for "Blues Band of The Year".
Richardson also recorded with various other artists including Pee Wee Clayton, Bobby Womack and guitarist Terry Reid.
In his later years, Richardson suffered from health problems, but still continued to perform and record. A few weeks before his death he played at a club with Terry Reid and was working on an album with him.
On 29/01/2004, Richardson died at his hom in Los Angeles from complications of diabetes.