1971 Blues Pioneers at Northrop
In the summer of 1971, students at the U of M’s Minneapolis campus were treated to a series of performances by some of the most revered pioneers of blues, boogie-woogie, and nascent rock ‘n’ roll. Most of these performances took place outside, in front of Northrop Auditorium. Others were at the Whole Coffeehouse.
![](https://twincitiesmusichighlights.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RooseveltSykes1971NorthropGarySchwartzweb.jpg)
Roosevelt Sykes at Northrop, 1971. Photo by and courtesy of Gary Schwartz
Performers that people remember that summer include:
- Luther Allison
- Blind John Davis
- Hound Dog Taylor
- Big Mama Thornton
- Earl Hines
- Memphis Slim
- Drummer Jump Jackson’s blues review
- Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
- Jesse “Lone Cat” Fuller
- Son House