Johnny Shines

John Ned "Johnny" Shines, Jr (born April 25, 1915 in Frayser, Tennessee – died April 21, 1992 in Tuscaloosa) was a blues guitarist.

Born in Tennessee, Shines played in the Mississippi Delta with blues legends like Robert Johnson before folling them to Chicago, Illinois and helping create the heyday of Chicago blues. He recorded in the 1940s and 1950s and traveled the country with Robert Johnson, who greatly influenced his slide guitar style.

Shines moved to Holt, in Tuscaloosa County, in the early 1970s and continued to perform in the area, including two appearances at City Stages. He took classes in upholstery, small engine repair and auto body work at Fredd State Technical College, earning a degree in 1989.

Shines, who had suffered a stroke in 1980, was admitted to the DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa in March 1992 with hardened arteries. He had his left leg amputated and remained hospitalized until his death. He died shortly before his 76th birthday, which had already declared "Johnny Shines Day" by Tuscaloosa Mayor Al DuPont. He was survived by his wife, Candy, and daughter, Caroline, whom he had coached in blues singing.

Funeral services were held at Morning Star Baptist Church in Holt and he was buried at Cedar Oak Memorial Park south of Tuscaloosa. The street where he lived in Holt was renamed "Johnny Shines Street" in 2009.

References

• "Johnny Shines Dead; Delta Blues Singer, 76" (April 21, 1992) New York Times
• Cobb, Mark Hughes (April 27, 1992) "Church packed as friends, fans bid farewell to Johnny Shines" Tuscaloosa News
• Stevenson, Tommy (December 21, 2009) "Holt street renamed to honor musician." Tuscaloosa News