Obituary

Ezekiel “Papa Zee” Johnson, Delta Bluesman, Dies at 67

Clarksdale, MS — Ezekiel Johnson, known to blues fans as Papa Zee, passed away quietly at his home in Clarksdale on Saturday. He was 67.

Born in 1910 in Coahoma County, Johnson came of age in the cotton fields, learning the spirituals and work songs that shaped his lifelong devotion to the blues. A self-taught guitarist, he began performing in Delta juke joints during the 1930s, earning a reputation for his deep, gravelly voice and commanding stage presence.
In the early 1950s he moved north to Chicago, where his blend of Delta roots and electric sound made him a fixture of the city’s South Side club scene. Though he never achieved the national fame of some of his peers, Johnson was respected by fellow musicians and beloved by loyal audiences. Songs such as “Deep River Blues” and “Papa Zee’s Got His Mojo” remain enduring examples of his unique style.

Returning to Mississippi in the 1960s, Johnson performed frequently at church revivals and local gatherings, bridging the worlds of blues and gospel. His 1962 performance of “River Jordan Blues” remains a highlight of his late career.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with burial in Clarksdale Memorial Cemetery.
As one local musician said: “Papa Zee never chased the spotlight. He played for the people, and that’s why the people will never forget him.”