Alexis Korner was a pioneering British blues musician, radio presenter, and one of the most influential figures in the early days of the British blues scene. Born on April 19, 1928, in Paris, France, Korner was the son of an Austrian Jewish father and a Greek mother. He spent his childhood in France, Switzerland, and North Africa before moving to London in the mid-1940s.
In London, Korner became a fixture in the city's jazz and blues scene, playing in various bands and performing with musicians such as Chris Barber and Ken Colyer. He was a self-taught guitarist and a lover of American blues music, and he quickly became one of the most respected blues players in Britain.
In 1962, Korner formed the band Blues Incorporated, which became a breeding ground for some of the biggest names in British blues. The band's lineup changed frequently over the years, but notable members included Charlie Watts, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce, all of whom went on to achieve great success with the Rolling Stones, Cream, and other bands.
Alongside his musical career, Korner became a respected broadcaster, presenting a weekly radio show on BBC Radio 1 called "Blues is Where You Hear It." The show was a platform for new and established blues artists, and Korner's passionate and knowledgeable presentation helped to promote the genre to a wider audience.
Korner continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, collaborating with artists such as Robert Plant and Peter Frampton. He also continued to present radio shows, including a series on the history of rock and roll for BBC Radio 2.
Korner appeared on one edition of Top of the Pops, co-presenting an episode that celebrated the 15th Anniversary of Radio 1.
Alexis Korner passed away on 1st January 1984. However, his legacy lives on, and he was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1993. His influence on the British blues scene, as well as his contribution to promoting the genre through his radio shows, cannot be overstated, and he is remembered as a true pioneer of British blues.
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