Michael Burks
Courtesy photo
Legendary bluesman Michael Burks is dead at 54 years old, according to an update posted Sunday evening to his official Facebook page.
Burks was born in Milwaukee, but moved to Camden, Ark. where he and his brothers helped build their father’s 300-seat juke joint, Bradley Ferry Country Club. There, Burks began fronting bands, and backing some of the blues and jazz greats that passed through town.
After self-releasing his first CD in 1997, Burks signed with Chicago’s Alligator Records in 2001 and released three critically acclaimed albums.
He was a frequent visitor to Fayetteville, and was in town last December for a show at George’s Majestic Lounge with local legends The Cate Brothers.
Bruce Iglauer, owner of Burks’ label Alligator Records, released a statement this evening confirming the news.
From the statement
Michael ‘Iron Man’ Burks, the great blues guitarist and singer, has died suddenly. He was returning from a successful tour of Europe and collapsed in customs at the Atlanta airport. He was rushed to the hospital but they were unable to revive him. Michael was a sweet man, hugely talented and deeply soulful. I was proud to have him call me his friend.
OMG, Discovered him on the Blues Cruise! A huge talent and a gentle soul is what I will remember.
Michele Ross.
One of the best. Rest In Peace Michael. Prayers to his family
I loved Michael and have long said he played in the mold of Albert King,a raw ,powerful guitar player that had a voice to match. Michael was as nice as can be off stage. Always smiling, ( excpet for that one night) inside joke. I will truly miss him. The “Iron Man” truly earned his name. When he hit the stage there was none better. If you ever seen Michael live, you know just how impressive he was and the emotion he put into each and every show. Rest in Peace my friend.
..The best bluesman I’ve ever heard and know…. . Thanks for your soul , heart and music …. praiers to his family and friends…
Tonight I heard him for the first time on a radio station as I was driving my car. He was doing a wicked version of Voodoo Child, I believe it was, and it was smoking. I looked him up on the internet and the first thing I saw was this page. A huge loss and shame that he is gone. RIP.
Can’t believe the news – such a great talent. Will be sadly missed from the Gold Coast in Australia.
can’t believe he is gone. wish i would have the honor to meet in person. wish he would have collaborated with his brother Joronomo who is extremely talented. he wil be missed.
saw him numerous times the blues just lost a little heart and soul my prayers go out to all his friends and family
I first heard Michael play at the Double Door Inn in Charlotte, NC several years ago and made it a point to see him each time he returned. During his breaks, he was always very approachable and such a pleasure to talk to. He signed a poster for me which I hung underneath a hanging guitar stand in my music room. After reading of his passing last night, I hung my Flying V in that hanger. I will have my Michael Burks CDs in constant play/repeat mode. He is truly a giant of the Blues…Make It Rain, my brother…
I have known Mike over 45 years we grew up together in Camden. Over the last 10 years I have had the privilege to hear his soulful sounds and hang out with him. He always had time to time with you and never did he not acknowledge you, I will miss him. My prayers to his family, may God bless them. Much Love, my friend and classmate.
This is SO sad! We got to see the “Iron Man” perform a few years ago at the Riverfront Blues Festival in Wilmington DE, where he put on a terrific performance and later jammed with Lil’ Ed. He was a great guy and we were looking forward to seeing him again this summer at a local blues festival. We will miss you Michael RIP.
Mike was the real deal. Him and his bands were always really nice folks and professionals in every sense of the word. The lady and I would always catch his shows….we called it “our” night out. Thanks for the memories. God bless.
RIP Michael Burks great guitarist of Arkansas and the world.
Just heard the sad news on WMNF here in Tampa Bay! I am stunned!! He recently played at Skipper’s in Tampa a tore it up. Saw him at Ace’s in Bradenton and he literally blew the roof off the building! All I can say is Rest in Peace and my prayers go out to your loved ones a family
I am stunned!! I just heard the news on WMNF here in Tampa Bay, FL. Michael recently played Skipper’s in Tampa and tore it up. Saw him at Ace’s in Bradenton and he literally blew the roof off the place! All I can say is Rest in Peace and my prayers go out to your family and loved ones — Wayne
He was one of the greatest blues players and a very good man. I’ve been honored to hear his concert les then a month ago here in Slovenia and I was enjoying it like no concert before. This was the best ever concert for me. I planned to se him again if he would come close to Slovenia but sadly this wish has gone forever. Sorry but I am crying now. RIP Michael.
What a beautiful man.
I had the great privilege of knowing Michael for many years. We all know what a great muscician he was. Those of us who were lucky enough to count him as a friend knew what a gentle soul he was beneath that formidable exterior. He will be missed.
We always saw Michael when he came to Rhode Island. Helped him move his stuff from the truck to the stage. A caring man who always took the time to visit and talk to those of us who attended his shows. I will treasure the signed photos and CDs of his that I own. If all musicians played with the feeling that he did, they would be as blessed as Michael was. Rest in peace, you have enriched the lives of so many.
Had the good fortune to see and meet Michael. The man was truly one of a kind and special. When he played you were moved, you could feel the music right in the heart. To call him an entertainer is a mistake, he was much more. The guy “brought it” every time out. I was truly upset and distraught to learn of his untimely passing. All I can say I was privledged to experience, hands down the absolute best blues artist performing today. I will miss him. Thanks Michael for showing me the true power and meaning of the Blues. Peace Iron Man. Godspeed. My deepest condolences to his family.
When I heard of Michaels passing,I was sadder than I have been in a very long time.I am starting to become a successful Bluesman myself,and “Ironman” was one of my biggest heroes.I was scheduled to share the bill with him at the TBone Walker Festival in Linden,TX in June and looked forward to feeling his energy in person.Now I will have to wait to jam on the other side.RIP Michael Burks,you were truly one of the greatest to ever walk this Earth.You have inspired me so much and if I grow to be half the Bluesman you were,I would consider myself successful.
I just learned that Michael passed away last night while at a Tommy Castro show in Kansas City. It hit me like a ton of bricks when Tommy announced it and dedicated a song for him. I “found” Michael on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise and saw all of his shows on the boat. I finally met him personally the last night and we talked for hours. What was cool was he was going to be in KC the following weekend. You can bet I was there and ended up staying there at Knuckleheads till about 4 am listening to him jamming with the locals after the show. What a treat. Michael was truly the best blues talent I have ever heard live and was right up there with Albert King. I want to second the comments above by saying that Michael was also one of the nicest people I have met. Heck I have his cell phone number but never used it. And he loved to laugh. I am signing off now with a tear in my eye and prayers in my heart for his family and friends.
I can’t believe I just found out that Michael passed away. I’m so sorry to hear this. I heard about him from Mike Zaite years ago and was fortunate to see him play at George’s Majestic in Fayetteville, AR. It was a very inspirational experience at that point in my life and career. All the best to his family and close community.
WE LOVED MICHAEL SO MUCH!!!! JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT HIM WHEN I WAS LOOKING UP HIS TOUR SCHEDULE. WE KNEW HE WAS NOT AT THE BLUES CONCERT IN APRIL AT COLORADO BELLE IN LAUGHLIN. HE MUST OF BEEN IN EUROPE, I THINK HE WAS JUST TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH. WHAT A GREAT TALENT AND WONDERFUL PERSON. SO DOWN TO EARTH, SO FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE!!! I BET HIS BAND REALLY MISSES HIM. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW HE ACTUALLY DIED? WAS IT A HEART ATTACK? MY SINCERE PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MICHAEL YOU WILL BE SOOOOO MISSED~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRENDA