Legendary Blues Musician Eddy Clearwater Dies at 83

Legendary Chicago blues musician Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater has died at the age of 83, according to his record label.

Clearwater, born Eddy Harrington in Mississippi in 1935, was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016, and released a total of 17 albums in his musical career that spanned six decades.

“Chicago has lost one of our legendary blues musicians, innovators, and ambassadors to the world,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “Clearwater leaves behind a lifetime of songs that gave a voice to the soul of the city that he loved.”

In a recent magazine interview, Clearwater said that he was in the process of writing more music, and that his passion for his craft was as strong as ever.

“I’m still having fun with it,” he told American Blues Scene. “Once I feel good enough to hit the stage, I strap on my guitar and I’m off and running. I’m ready for it.”

The musician was honored earlier this year in his hometown of Skokie, when Mayor designated Jan. 6 as "Eddy Clearwater Day."

A cause of death was not immediately released.