Historical Highlights...

 
Over three decades of music making, Willie Murphy has forged a musical legacy   as   a  singer,    producer, arranger,    performer and    songwriter's songwriter.

Murphy's 1969 collaboration with folk-blues legend "Spider" John Koerner, "Running, Jumping, Standing Still," originally recorded for Electra and recently reissued on Red House Records, is acclaimed as an all-time folk-blues classic.

Among "Running, Jumping's" fans was a still unknown Bonnie Raitt.  She hired Willie to produce her first album In 1971 on Warner Brothers Records.  Accompanying her was Murphy's band, Willie and the Bees, along with Chicago Blues legends Junior Wells and R.C. Reed.

Throughout the 70's and the 80's, the political, poetical, multiracial Willie and the Bees, mixed reggae, jazz, blues, funk, R&B and rock to set the standard for bands to come.  Willie and the Sees also shared the stage with R&B luminaries Wilson Pickett, Muddy Waters, James Brown, WAR, John Lee Hooker, Neville Brothers, Etta James, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and backed the likes of Dr. John and countless others.

• Willie Murphy was named as one of the three charter members of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, along with Bob Dylan and Prince.

* Over the years, the nationally known and respected Minnesota Music Association has given more nominations and awards to Willie and his groups than anyone else.  This trend continues to this day.  In 1996, Willie Murphy & the Angel-Headed Hlpsters were named the Best Blues Band of the Year by the MMA.

Willie Murphy, one of the best loved musicians in the Twin Cities,
recently was honored as the First "Mayor" of the Minneapolis Mill City Music Festival, one of the largest U.S. festivals, which showcases top national and regional artists.

In the 90's Willie has brought his unique brand of musical soul to Europe, playing extensively in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy.  Whether playing as a soloist or with the Angel-Headed Hipsters, Willie has left audiences sweaty, satisfied and stomping their feet for more!