Bob Dylan's Frequent Collaborator Sam Lay Cause of Death: Blues Drummer Dead at 86

Chicago blues drummer and vocalist Sam Lay passed away at the age of 86, as per his record label.

It was reported that Lay died Saturday, January 30, due to natural causes in a nursing facility in Chicago, as posted by independent blues label Alligator Records' official website on Monday.

The website stated, "Beloved for his talent, his buoyant and outgoing personality, as well as for his sense of style (he was known for his cape and walking stick), Lay was among the most historically significant and musically innovative drummers in both the early blues and rock 'n' roll scenes,"

Sam Lay's Career in the Music Industry

As per the label, Sam Lay was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1935. By the mid-1950s, Lay first played professionally in Cleveland before heading to Chicago and backing the legendary blues harmonica star, Little Walter.

Lay, later on, became a part of Howlin' Wolf's band, with whom he recorded on some of the blues' hit songs, including "Killing Floor," "I Ain't Superstitious," "The Red Rooster," "Goin' Down Slow," and "300 Pounds Of Joy." In the mid-1960s, Lay joined the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

The drummer was also able to work with Bob Dylan in 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival, which according to ABC News, had caused a "stir in the crowd" after the songwriter played an electric guitar tuned to a rock sound.

Sam Lay's Other Music Credits

Lay also participated in Muddy Waters' "Fathers & Sons" LP in 1969, the same year he recorded his first album under his name with "Sam Lay In Bluesland," under Blue Thumb Records.

He even recorded six albums as a front leader in his internationally touring band and recorded two albums as a part of The Siegel-Schwall Band, now under Alligator Records.

The well-known drummer earned his Grammy-award nomination in 1998 for his performances on the "Tribute To Howlin' Wolf" album on Telarc and was also honored by the Chicago Chapter of The Recording Academy with "Legends and Heroes Award" for his significant musical contributions, four years later.

In 2009, Sam Lay starred in his own documentary named after his first album "Sam Lay in Bluesland," directed by John Anderson. Six years later, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

May his soul rest in peace.

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Bob Dylan