Music man loved, championed the blues

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Music man loved, championed the blues
October 22, 2009
By Bob Mehr
The Commercial Appeal

Memphis music veteran Dennis Brooks, a behind-the-scenes industry force, served as a tireless champion of the blues.

"He's someone in the music business that did a lot of people good, without ever calling attention to himself," musician and Beale Street Caravan producer Sid Selvidge said of his friend.

Mr. Brooks died following a heart attack Tuesday night. He was 59.
Dennis Brooks

Dennis Brooks

The news of his death shocked friends and comrades in the local and national music communities, and elicited a tremendous outpouring across several blues Web sites and message boards.

The response was a testament to a man who never sought the spotlight for himself.

"He never stood up and took credit for the things he did," Selvidge said. "He was just a real genuine fan of the music and the musicians."

A Memphis native, Mr. Brooks graduated from Central High School, attended Memphis State University and served in the Navy.

His passion for music, especially Southern blues, took shape in the various roles he played in the community.

Mr. Brooks was the founder and president of Beale Street Blues Society, a longtime member of The Blues Foundation and a frequent judge for the International Blues Competition, as well as board member of the Arkansas Blues Trail Marker Association.

He also served as a concert promoter, manager and booking agent for several popular Memphis blues artist artists, including Billy Gibson, Blind Mississippi Morris, and the late Sean Costello, among others.

Services were held for Mr. Brooks on Wednesday afternoon at Anshe Sfard Cemetery, where he was buried next to his parents, Lakee and Izzy Brooks.

Mr. Brooks leaves his brothers, Harold Brooks of Memphis and Raymon Brooks of Germantown; a sister, Reva Ziskind of Germantown; and his longtime companion, Beanie Self.

Those wishing to make a charitable donation are urged to send contributions to the Grammy MusiCares program, The Blues Foundation or a charity of their choice.

Plans are being made for a memorial concert to honor Mr. Brooks, likely to take place at the Midtown venue Neil's.