Smokin’ Joe Kubek Dies

Blues guitarist Smokin’ Joe Kubek, 58, died from a heart attack Oct. 11 shortly before he was scheduled to appear at the Pleasure Island Seafood & Blues Festival in North Carolina.

Kubek, who performed for nearly 30 years with musical partner Bnois King, got his start backing famous names in blues including Freddie King, R&B singer Al “TNT” Braggs, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King and many others.

Shown here in an undated photo.

Kubek met Bnois King in 1989, and together they released many albums, touring more than 150 dates per year throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.