I had only seen Mighty Joe Young perform once. It was in the mid nineties at the Lyons Brewing Company. They were booking some good acts in those days, I caught Eddy Clearwater, Byther Smith, and Phil Guy there in addition to Joe. I remember taking my Big Book of Blues with me for Joe to sign. I was lead upstairs where he and his wife relaxed on a couch. He was the friendliest bluesman I ever met in my pursuit of autographs. He was delighted to sign my book and chat. I really don't remember what we talked about but it was his attitude that he would take the time to sign and chat with a fan that I remember to this day. A stark contrast to someone like Robert Jr. Lockwood.
When I saw Joe, he had already lost his ability to play the guitar. For those of you who know the story, it was a sad one and unfortunately it was the surgery which he underwent in hopes of restoring his ability to play that he died from. I never did get to see him play after that night at the Lyons Brewing Company.
I was aware that Joe was buried in Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery in Hillside, right down the road from me. Tyrone Davis and Howlin Wolf are buried next door and Darryl Stingley is nearby but I had never been able to find Mighty Joe's grave. I finally went into the office to find the location of his grave. After a brief search I was pointed in the right direction and was able to pay my respects to the kindest bluesman I ever met.
