August 13, 1942

Blues musician Frank “Son” Seals was born in Osceola (Mississippi County). A singer who became a driving force behind a brief but stormy rejuvenation of blues throughout the mid- to late 1970s, Seals dominated the Chicago blues as no one has since. Seals came to the blues early. He grew up in a juke joint operated by his father, musician Jim “Son” Seals, who had been a member of the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. The juke house, The Dipsey Doodle, featured some of the greatest blues performers of all time, including Albert King, Robert Nighthawk, and Sonny Boy Williamson II. The Dipsey Doodle also presented touring acts, so Seals routinely heard not only rustic innovators but also traveling stars.