Willie Kent (September 24 1936 – March 2 2006[LINK: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article701960.eceThe] Times Online - Willie Kent obituary, dated 5 April 2006) was an American blues singer, bassist and songwriter. He was born in Inverness, Sunflower County, Mississippi. Career Although he had been playing the bass guitar in Chicago's clubs since the 1950s, Kent did not put his music first until he was past the age of 50. Following heart surgery, he quit his day job driving trucks, and formed a band. His impassioned singing and overall feel of his music are reminiscent of Byther Smith or John Primer. In early 2005, Kent was diagnosed with cancer, but continued his busy live schedule in spite of chemotherapy treatments. He lost his battle with the disease in March 2006.