"I put my heart and soul into my music and my performances. It’s an extension of me and all the history that made me what I am. Everyone interprets music in their own way, shaped by their experiences. That’s the beauty of life, it is all intertwined. Follow your dreams."

Willie West: Soul Heart & Blues Soul

Willie West is one of the original Soul and Blues men. He was born Millard Leon West on December 8, 1941 in Raceland, Louisiana, a stone's throw from New Orleans. He started singing at 15 when he and his cousins formed a band they called The Sharks. He was known for his high energy performances and wide vocal range. The band became very popular in the local clubs and venues. Willie wrote and recorded his first vinyl 45 in 1959 called, "Did You Have Fun" for Dorothy Lee's Rustone label. His mother had to sign the contract for him as he was just 17. The song became a regional hit and made the Billboard charts. He moved to New Orleans in 1960, where he lived until Hurricane Katrina. Besides his successful solo career, he has fronted many notable New Orleans bands including The Meters, Electric Soul Train, Oliver and the Rockets, the Gladiators with David Batiste and Uptown Rulers with Aaron and Charles Neville and Bobby Love. Allen Toussaint became his producer and he cut a string of excellent singles for his labels. Willie learned about arranging and producing by observing Allen at work. Some of these early recordings were done at Cosimo Matassa's studios in New Orleans. Willie also sang the Toussaint-penned title track for the Warner Brother's motion picture "Black Samson", and then released two singles.                (Willie West / Photo by April Bogatz)

Willie was blessed to perform with and/or open for Otis Redding, Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey, King Floyd, Lightning Hopkins, Joe Tex, James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, ZZ Hill, Big Joe Turner, CP Love, Irma Thomas, Ernie K Doe, Eddie Floyd, Solomon Burke, Mary Wells, Guitar Watson, Johnny Nash, Barbara Lynn, Earl King, Smiley Lewis, Etta James, Greg Allman, Jimmy Buffet, Dr. John, Jimmy Reed and Johnny Adams. Many of his early gigs were booked by Percy Stovall's New Orleans Booking Agency, which represented him. He has had the pleasure of meeting many music luminaries including Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Guitar Slim, Paul McCartney and so many others. Willie and Leo Nocentelli of the Meters wrote a song for Albert King. Willie West will be released on April 21st, 2023 his album "The Soul Sessions" by New Folk Records. A truly gifted singer, entertainer, and songwriter with a music career spanning over 60 years at this point and still going strong, Willie West has surely earned the right to be called a “soul survivor”. 

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Archive: Willie West, 2014 interview

How has the Soul/Blues music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

My music mirrors my view of the world, and is a product of my view of the world.  Just like others have used their music to comment on society and their own views of the world. I think the civil rights movement and struggle has brought some great music to light. My music is mostly expressing my take on love, loss, happiness and sadness. Emotional music. But of course soul and blues is directly descended from gospel and slave songs.

Where does your lyrics creative drive come from? How do you want the music to affect people?

My lyrics and music come straight from my soul and all of my experiences and life lessons of 81 years. I write and perform songs that evoke emotional response that anyone can identify with and hopefully elevate themselves. Life is all about ups and downs, and music helps us cope.

Why do you think that the NOLA music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Well I’d have to say that New Orleans stands by itself. It’s a gumbo of musical styles and is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the world. The musicians in NOLA come up with qualities that are not found anywhere else, and each generation stays true to the meaning of New Orleans. You can’t get that anywhere else, and people crave it. I carry New Orleans wherever I go: It’s a New Orleans thing!

"My music mirrors my view of the world, and is a product of my view of the world.  Just like others have used their music to comment on society and their own views of the world. I think the civil rights movement and struggle has brought some great music to light. My music is mostly expressing my take on love, loss, happiness and sadness. Emotional music. But of course soul and blues is directly descended from gospel and slave songs." (Photo: Willie West)

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

Well, pertaining to the business end, I’d say dealing with dishonest people that say they want to help, but are really just out for themselves. Unfortunately, the music business is rife with people out to use you. It changes your outlook on life when you realize you’ve been cheated or lied to. I believe coping with this has made me stronger in both my personal and musical lives. I know it has made me more tenacious and way more careful.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past?

Music brings people together- to fight injustice, to protest, to cope with disappointments. Music can be your conscience or your confessional. I think it can hold the human race together. It should carry positive messages.

I miss the days of what I call honest performances, and artists being appreciated for what they can do. At this point in time, there is so much voice enhancement going on that acts can’t even reproduce their sound on stage because of all the manipulating in the studio. So they lip sync. You can’t dance for three hours while you are singing unless you are very young. The lip sync takes care of that, too. I miss performances that were: What You See is What you get.

Do you think there is an audience for Soul/Blues music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

I think there will always be an audience for soul/blues music. It’s all about everyday people and their struggles. But… people are manipulated into listening to and buying certain genres of music and certain artists by the record labels and radio/internet. They have a responsibility to step it up for soul and blues, too. They are missing out on a whole lot of good artists and music.

"My lyrics and music come straight from my soul and all of my experiences and life lessons of 81 years. I write and perform songs that evoke emotional response that anyone can identify with and hopefully elevate themselves. Life is all about ups and downs, and music helps us cope." (Willie West / Photo by April Bogatz)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Take care of yourself and your health.

Pay attention to your business.

Surround yourself with people that you trust.

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

John Coltrane is right on, and I have a similar way of looking at that. I put my heart and soul into my music and my performances. It’s an extension of me and all the history that made me what I am. Everyone interprets music in their own way, shaped by their experiences. That’s the beauty of life, it is all intertwined. Follow your dreams.

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