Rolling Stone reports that Matt “Guitar” Murphy, guitarist from the Blues Brothers, passed away on Friday at the age of 88. Murphy, in addition to his iconic role in 1980 classic film, The Blues Brothers, was a famed guitarist, collaborating with blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Memphis Slim. Murphy had also previously worked with Chuck Berry, Ike Turner, Etta James, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, and Sonny Boy Williamson.
However, Murphy will largely be best remember due to his role in The Blues Brothers. Murphy secured the gig after Dan Akroyd and John Belushi attended one of Murphy’s shows with harpist James Cotton in the 1970s, with Akroyd and Belushi inviting Murphy to join the Blues Brothers’ touring band. Murphy went onto appear in both the 1980 film, The Blues Brothers, and the 1998 film, Blues Brothers 2000, in addition to appearing on the albums Briefcase Full of Blues (1978), Made In America (1982), and both movies’ soundtracks. In the original movie, Murphy played the husband of Aretha Franklin, leading to the iconic moment in the film where Aretha Franklin sings her spirited rendition of “Think”.
[Video: Juanjo de Goya]
Murphy was born in Sunflower, Mississippi, though attended school in Memphis. After learning how to play guitar as a child, he moved to Chicago in 1948, where he joined on with the Howlin’ Wolf Band. Chicago served as a launching pad for Murphy’s career, going onto work with many famed collaborators to work with ranging from Chuck Berry to Etta James to Buddy Guy to Otis Rush. However, Murphy also led his own project in between his work with the Blues Brothers and others, releasing albums including 1990’s Way Down South and 2000’s Lucky Charm.
Rest in peace, Matt Murphy. You will be missed, but not forgotten.