Blues legend Little Joe Washington dies at age 75

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Little Joe Washington, the legendary bluesman from Houston's Third Ward, has died.

A close friend of the musician says she got a call around 4pm that he had died in ICU at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 75.

Washington traveled the world and played alongside other musical greats, including James Brown, Johnny Nash and Lightnin' Hopkins. He played everything from the trump to the drums and guitar, and was known for singing the blues the way it's supposed to be sung: the sound created by hard living and a lot of years.

"That's the way I am. I play my music and enjoy myself," Washington told Eyewitness News in July.

Washington inspired generations of musicians, and when he fell ill, several bands gathered in July to throw a fundraiser for him out of respect and admiration. Among the participants was Tom Truver, a guitarist of Second Lovers.

"It's Little Joe playing the blues and he's onstage and it's magical and awesome," Lovers told Eyewitness News in July.