Blues Gentleman Johnnie Bassett Dies

Johnnie Bassett, 76, a guitarist and singer who earned a name for himself as Detroit’s “Gentleman of the Blues,” died of cancer at the city’s St. John Hospital Aug. 4.

Bassett worked as a session musician for years, playing with everyone from John Lee Hooker to Little Willie John and Smokey Robinson.

He emerged as a front man in the ’90s, forming the Blues Insurgents and recording and touring with his band through recent years.