Willie Green

"Legendary bluesman Willie “Real Deal” Green, 85, of Gainesville, FL passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021.

He was born October 15, 1935 to a family of sharecroppers and migrant laborers in Pine Level, Alabama, outside of Montgomery. He quit school to help support his family and traveled from farm to farm throughout the southeast and as far north as Maine, harvesting peanuts, fruits, and vegetables. As a teenager, he would sneak out at night, hitchhiking or hopping a freight train to town to hear the old blues masters. Those youthful excursions eventually prompted him to learn to play the harmonica and guitar.

In the 60s, he settled in South Florida, worked a series of manual labor jobs, and performed on the side at Florida clubs. Green moved to Ocala in the 80s, where he fell on hard times and began playing for tips at The Yearling Restaurant in Cross Creek. It was there he was discovered and then booked to open for Grammy-winning blues musician John Hammond.

Green has opened for well-known blues musicians including Robert Cray and Eric Clapton, shared the stage with the late “Honeyboy” Edwards, and collaborated with Southern rock group J.J. Grey and Mofro. Green has released three albums including Cross Creek Blues featuring J.J. Grey and has performed for thousands at concerts and music festivals."

Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Green Family.