Elga Speed Edmonds (June 22, 1909 – August 26, 1966), sometimes mistakenly credited as Elgin Evans in early record discographies, was an American drummer. He was the drummer in blues musician

Muddy Waters McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 April 30, 1983), known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer and musician who was an important figure in the post- war blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicag ...

' band during its most successful period, and played with other leading blues musicians in the 1940s and 1950s. He was born in

Urbana, Illinois Urbana ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Urbana had a population of 38,336. As of the 2010 United States Census, Urbana is the 38th-most populous municipality in Illinois. It ...

, and played washboard in local blues bands before moving in the 1930s to Chicago, where he performed in clubs. Muddy Waters had used various drummers including Baby Face Leroy in his bands, but in 1950 established a permanent band with Edmonds as drummer. Edmonds made early recordings with

Jimmy Rogers Jimmy Rogers (June 3, 1924December 19, 1997) was an American Chicago blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, best known for his work as a member of Muddy Waters's band in the early 1950s. He also had a solo career and recorded several pop ...

, Leroy Foster, Floyd Jones and others, and beginning on July 11, 1951, appeared on most of Muddy Waters' recordings until being replaced by Frances Clay c. 1957. He was fired by Muddy Waters in the late 1950s, and died in 1966 aged 57. His final recording session was made in December of 1966, backing guitarist/mandolinist Johnny "Man" Young.

References

1909 births 1966 deaths People from Urbana, Illinois Musicians from Illinois American blues drummers {{US-drummer-stub