Mighty Joe Young, Jr., Has Passed Away

I'm sorry to report the passing of another Chicago blues musician. Mighty Joe Young, Jr., son of Blind Pig recording artist Mighty Joe Young, Sr. and bluesman in his own right, died last week after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 60.

Joe, Jr. toured with his father, recorded on his records and played with such greats as Roy Hytower and the late Koko Taylor. He and his band played at clubs throughout Chicagoland and appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2007. His daughters, Leah Chanelle and Chontella Renee, and his granddaughters, Natalia Renee and LaDonna Chanelle, often performed with him.


Born in Milwaukee on Nov. 14, 1948, Joe, Jr. was the second child of Mighty Joe Young Sr. and Lorene Sneed. His older brother Earl introduced him to the guitar. He formed his first band while he was still in high school.

Joe carried on the legacy of his father by becoming a founding member of the Mighty Joe Young Blues Foundation in 1999 and served on the board of directors until 2002. Every year he organized a tribute show in honor of his late father.

Funeral services we held over the weekend.