Doctor Ross
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Charles Isaiah Ross (October 21, 1925 – May 28, 1993)
Bluesman Flint is famous as the originator, innovator and mastermind city of a wide variety of culturally iconic symbols: General Motors, Buick, Chevrolet, coney islands, and blues music. Wait? The blues? Isn’t that the strict domain of the south? Not entirely! One of the greatest Bluesmen of all time is indeed a Flintstone - albeit by way of Tunica, Mississippi. Like thousands of other southerners Charles Ross emigrated to the north to work in the booming auto factories of Flint, Michigan, arriving in 1954, at 39 years old. He had already started to experience some success with some of his music a few years before. But, like many musicians throughout time, he wasn’t exactly reaping the financial rewards of his efforts, motivating his move to the greener financial pastures in the Flint factory. |
During this time, at Chess Records, Leonard Chess was building an incomparable stable of blues talent that included Etta James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, and Buddy Guy. Ross recorded with Chess, as well, and soon became known as ‘Doctor Ross’, or ‘Doctor Ross The Harmonica Boss’. His work as a seriously talented bluesman was recognized among these luminous peers.
While living in The Vehicle City, he continued to record some legendary classics, like Cat Squirrel and Industrial Boogie, and toured Europe in 1965. (In their debut album, Fresh Cream, British rock band, Cream, covered Ross's Cat Squirrel). Ross continued to record and play in Europe whenever he could, and in fact, enjoyed significantly more success there than he ever did in the states.
Still, among those who know music, in general, and the blues in particular, his name is mentioned among the pantheon of legends: BB King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Buddy Guy. Like the iconic names of Buick, Chevrolet, and Chrysler in his adopted hometown of Flint, Doctor Ross will go down as one of the best of the best among the geniuses of this most American of American music genres.
While living in The Vehicle City, he continued to record some legendary classics, like Cat Squirrel and Industrial Boogie, and toured Europe in 1965. (In their debut album, Fresh Cream, British rock band, Cream, covered Ross's Cat Squirrel). Ross continued to record and play in Europe whenever he could, and in fact, enjoyed significantly more success there than he ever did in the states.
Still, among those who know music, in general, and the blues in particular, his name is mentioned among the pantheon of legends: BB King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Buddy Guy. Like the iconic names of Buick, Chevrolet, and Chrysler in his adopted hometown of Flint, Doctor Ross will go down as one of the best of the best among the geniuses of this most American of American music genres.
