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It should’ve happened… multiple hits, a massive career, world recognition and all the rest.

 

If he had continued to live, “HOT SHOT” LOVE

would be a 103 years of age (2018). Born Coy

Love Jr., September 9, 1914, “Hot Shot” was

one out there cat. He only made two records—

to our knowledge—but they were as unique as

the harmonica puffer.

 

 

THE CUT TO HEAR: “Harmonica Jam” Sun

He was a blower and a yakker. At some point he claims to have crossed paths with Elvis; and actually

recorded his two sides with Sam Phillips’ Sun prior to Elvis, in January 1954. Per some Bear Family

(German Record label), Love made some living as a sign painter and he could be spotted riding his bike

in search of jobs only to return home to a seven woman nest; at the least, that is, for a moment. He had

painted his philosophy on the back of his leather coat. The details, unlike Aristotle and Plato, have been

totally lost, but not that one-off single for Sun. It is a gritty, rawness with Love mumbling words of a sort;

all with an unusual mouth organ abrasiveness.

After painting the front window of Steve LaVere’s Memphis Blues & Folk Center, in 1963, “Hot Shot” got

to record his second and last single; issued on Mr. Bo Weevil Records.

Coy Love, Jr. died in a car crash, a mile outside of Memphis, June 4, 1980.