Those of you fortunate enough to have caught either of Sheila Wilcoxson’s amazing performances at WRB events over the last couple of years know what a special person she is: big voice, big heart, big soul. So it is with sadness that I let you know that Sheila is not well. The bladder cancer she’s been battling for the last couple of years seems to be winning. Sheila will be greatly missed.
She’s not going quietly, though. This Sunday a whole lot of her good friends and musical peers will be supporting her in what will likely be her last public appearance. Local and national luminaries including Norman Sylvester, Doug Rowell, Gary Fountaine, Renato Caranto and many others are joining to provide the funkiest, bluesiest backing band ever in support of Sheila’s amazing way with a song.
We’re commandeering Portland’s vaunted Alberta Rose Theater for the event, and donating the proceeds to help Sheila manage expenses. Please join us in showing a Portland icon some love and happiness. It’s coming up soon – this Sunday in fact. I hope you can make it.
Sheila Wilcoxson
Sunday August 4, 6 PM
The Alberta Rose Theatre
3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, Oregon 97211
Sheila Wilcoxson
Sheila Wilcoxson started her musical career at the age of twelve in Detroit, Michigan. Like many of the great singers of our time Sheila began singing in the gospel church and school choirs.
Sheila moved to Portland, Oregon in 1978 and formed the 12 piece rhythm & blues band Sheila and the Boogiemen. The band was thought by many to be one of the best bands in the Northwest during the early eighties. Sheila created both the musical directions of the band and it’s image, as well as hiring some of the area’s top players like Sam & Dave, Queen Ida, and Robert Cray.
Sheila Wilcoxson took top honors in the 1983-84 Willamette Week’s People’s Choice Awards and she’s been nominated seven times for “Best Vocalist” and “Best Female Vocalist” in the Cascade Blues Associations annual Muddy Awards. Her sweet soulful voice and four-octave range have won her high praise from musical legends like John Lee Hooker, Katie Webster, John Hammond, Robert Cray, Sapphire, Koko Taylor and a host of others.
The Band
David Lee Bassett
Renato Caranto
Dave Elizando
Danny Fincher
Gary Fontaine
Marty Henninger
Leah Hinchcliff
Gayle Jewel
Nova Knutson
Jon Koonce
Dave Melyan
Pete Moss
Doug Rowell
Clark Salisbury
Evan Shlaes
Norman Sylvester
Don Worth
H. E. Zachary