Sam Lay Dead, Cause of Death Natural: Prominent Chicago Blues Drummer Was 86

Chicago Blues Drummer Sam Lay has passed away at 86 years old. Lay is a blues drummer who has worked with Paul Butterfield, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Bob Dylan.

Alligator Records, Sam Lay's record label, confirmed the news of his death in a press release. The statement indicates that Lay has died in a nursing facility near his Chicago residence last January 29, 2022.

The statement reported that the Chicago Blues drummer's cause of death is because of natural causes.

A member of the Jazz Hall of Fame since 1992, Sam Lay was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. The Blues Hall of Fame 2018 inducted the drummer in 2018.

"Beloved for his talent, his buoyant and outgoing personality, as well as for his sense of style, Lay was among the most historically significant and musically innovative drummers in both the early blues and rock 'n' roll scenes," Alligator Records stated.

Sam Lay's origins

He began playing professionally in the mid-1950s before moving to Chicago, where he accompanied Little Walter on his tour.

In addition, he was a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the mid-1960s, recording on the group's debut album and performing with Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, among other things.

A member of the Siegel-Schwall Band, he collaborated with Corky Siegel on several projects during his career, which continued for the remainder of his life.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Siegel once said in honor of Lay that he "just play the drums, he sings them".

Lay's work and legacy

Lay's debut recording under his name was with "Sam Lay in Bluesland," released in 1969. He made seven studio albums as a lead singer in total, the most recent being "I Get Evil" in 2003.

The Legends and Heroes Award, presented by the Chicago Chapter of the Recording Academy in 2002, was given to Lay to recognize his achievements. Dylan wrote a telegram to the drummer.

Dylan says that Lay's award is "so well-deserved", highlighting that the drummer was "second to none" as his "flawless musicianship and unsurpassed timing" makes him a "maestro with the sticks and brushes".

Lay has three great-grandchildren with her daughter Debbie Lay, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

His wife, Elizabeth Lay, succumbs in 2017 after a long illness while his son Bobby passed away in 2019, and his son Michael passed away only a few weeks ago.