Maceo Merriweather

Full biography Maceo Merriweather

Maceo Merriweather, also known as Big Maceo, was an American blues pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born on March 31, 1905, in Talbotton, Georgia, and started playing the piano at a young age. He eventually moved to Chicago, where he became a major figure in the city's blues scene.

Merriweather was known for his strong and powerful piano playing, which helped pave the way for later Chicago blues pianists. He was also a prolific composer and songwriter, with some of his most well-known songs including "Worried Life Blues" and "Chicago Breakdown". "Worried Life Blues" is considered a blues standard and has been recorded by numerous artists over the years.

Merriweather's career was cut short in the late 1940s due to a stroke, which left him unable to play the piano. He continued to work in the music industry as a producer and arranger, but his physical limitations prevented him from performing at the level he was once accustomed to.

Although his career was relatively short, Merriweather's influence on the Chicago blues scene was significant. He was highly regarded by his peers and continues to be remembered as one of the great blues pianists of all time.