Big Bad Smitty

{{Short description|American singer (1940–2002)}}

John Henry Smith, better known as Big Bad Smitty (February 11, 1940{{cite web|author=Linda Seida |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-bad-smitty-mn0000758414 |title=Big Bad Smitty | Biography & History |publisher=AllMusic |date=1940-02-11 |access-date=2016-11-27}} – April 3, 2002) was an American blues guitar player and singer. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States, he started learning guitar at the age of ten. He would play his older brother Nelson's guitar when nobody was around.{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesworld.com/Smitty.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961019201243/http://www.bluesworld.com/Smitty.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 October 1996|title=Big Bad Smitty|date=19 October 1996|access-date=21 November 2017}}

When he was in his 20s he worked as a truck driver. Johnny Vincent of Ace Records had recorded him and two of his songs, "Smokestack Lightnin'" and "How Many More Years" appeared on the Genuine Mississippi Blues anthology on the Ace label in 1970.

He recorded the Mean Disposition album in 1991, which was released on the Black Magic label in Europe and the GENES label in the United States. He recorded three albums and appeared at European blues festivals, performing for large crowds.{{cite news|author=Spencer Saller |url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2002-04-10/music/what-s-in-a-name/ |title=What's in a Name? | Music Stories | St. Louis News and Events |newspaper=Riverfront Times |access-date=2016-11-27}} In 1993, Smitty was affected by a stroke.

He died in Jackson, Mississippi on April 3, 2002, as a result of diabetes. His funeral was held on April 13 at the Alpha Omega Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi.

A benefit concert was held for the family of Big Bad Smitty at BB's in St Louis.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbsjazzbluessoups.com/ASmittybenefit.htm |title=Big Bad Smitty benefit |website=Bbsjazzbluessoups.com |access-date=2016-11-27}}