The son of blue harmonicist Carey Bell, Lurrie picked up his father’s guitar at the age of eight and taught himself how to play. Gifted from an early age, he grew up with many of the Chicago blues legends that were around him, including Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, Lovie Lee, Muddy Waters, and his cousin Eddie Clearwater. They were all frequent visitors to his house and helped to shape and school him in the blues. 

By the age of seventeen, Lurrie was playing onstage with Willie Dixon. His knowledge of different blues styles, his soulfulness, and his musical maturity brought write-ups in Rolling Stone and the New York Times.

Lurrie has performed all over the world, and has toured with Koko Taylor. For Lurrie, it has never been about how many notes he could play or how fast he could play them. It’s always been about the music. It’s always been about the blues.

Lightnin’ Wells will give a mainstage performance at the Port Townsend Country  Blues Festival on Saturday, August 4, at 1:30 pm. On both August 3 and August 4, he will perform in the intimate club venues of downtown Port Townsend. For tickets, call Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 or follow this link to our secure online Acteva site.