Little Sonny Day

Little Sonny (born Aaron Willis, October 6, 1932, Greensboro, Alabama) is an American electric blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.His early mentor and inspiration was Sonny Boy Williamson II. Nevertheless, Little Sonny stated that his nickname was originated by his mother: “[She] called me ‘Sonny boy’ from the time I can remember.” He has released eight albums, including three for a subsidiary of Stax Records. His 1973 release, Hard Goin’ Up, reached the Top 50 in the Billboard R&B chart.

Willis was born in 1932 and raised solely by his mother. He relocated to Detroit in 1953. He had no real interest in music, he said, “But then I saw Sonny Boy Williamson II.” Willis was “spellbound at the way he played. After the show I went home and practiced for hours. Every day after that I would practice until I got the sound I wanted.” His daytime job was working in a used car lot.

His first professional appearance was at the Good Times Bar in Detroit, playing in Washboard Willie‘s backing group. He put together his first band in March 1956. For the following fifteen years he performed in numerous Detroit clubs, often boosting his earnings by photographing customers between his performances on stage. He often performed with John Lee Hooker, Eddie Kirklandand Baby Boy Warren.

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