The No Fightin’ 2023 review

Before we pop the corks for 2024, we have to put a cap on 2023.

Our stats show that 2023 was the biggest year on No Fightin’ since the 2017 Red Devils reunion tour.

The top story from 2023 was also the one that took the most time to research and write: The final days of Lester Butler.

Twenty-five years after his death, we published the most extensive look yet at Butler’s last week on Earth, from the load-out at “Lester’s Legendary Last Gig” at the Moulin Blues Festival on May 2, 1998, to the unbelievable weekend of his death seven days later.

Using archival interviews, court documents and new sourcing never before published, No Fightin’ was able to present the most thorough and complete accounting of the final days of Lester Butler.

William Clarke on NoFightin.com

The other major project of the year was the launch of the subsite William Clarke on NoFightin.com, the first extension of No Fightin’ beyond the tighter Red Devils/13 circles.

Of course, Clarke’s career overlapped with The Red Devils — both acts were California-based, playing at many of the same venues during the same timeframe. And, of course, there were some common players, too.

The site will continue to grow, thanks to the meticulous work of Eddie “Lips” Clark, William’s longtime drummer, who shared his Lester Butler and William Clarke collections with No Fightin’.

A coincidental side item: I worked as the editor in 2022-23 on the new biography, “Blowin’ Like Hell: The William Clarke Story” by Paul Barry. It was a labor of love for Paul, who was a close friend of Clarke’s.

For those who already have a copy, thank you. For those who need a copy, it’s available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Alligator Records and Paul Barry’s personal site.

In the orbit

Every year, it seems we connect with more and more people in The Red Devils’ orbit … musicians, fans and promoters. 2023 was no exception.

The William Clarke projects were big ones this year … both the archive site on No Fightin’ and the book. It was a coincidence that we hooked up with guitarist Zach Zunis this year for an extensive interview that encompassed his time with both William Clarke and Lester Butler/Devils. Zach is a big part of the story, and continues to honor the music of both harp players.

Blues fans might know the story of guitarist Pat Hare, who recorded the song “I’m Gonna Murder My Baby” in Memphis in 1954. Nine years later, in December 1963, Hare shot and killed two people: His female companion and a Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer. I spent a large part of the year researching and writing this article for the newspaper company I work for, on the 60th anniversary of the killings.

The best of No Fightin’

Here’s a quick look back at some of our best and most popular stories from 2023:

In 1986, a Red Devils trio flirted with hard rock

Red Devils’ Zach Zunis: ‘A weird mix, but it worked!’

Gorgeous Red Devils/Mick Jagger bootleg 45 appears

Pics: John Bazz photos of Butler, Bateman, Harman and more

Video: Blue Shadows x Little Walter in 1989

‘Quite simply the best live album’: Legendary producer John Leckie on ‘King King’

13 in 2023: All-star lineup plays tribute to Lester Butler

What’s in store for ’24?

Unlike previous years, I won’t overpromise anything for 2024. I hope some new connections will help keep No Fightin’ chugging with great, unheard music all year long.

One thing I would ask: Please consider supporting No Fightin’ with a donation. This site has been a labor of love for 14 years, and does take some cash to maintain. We’re not a nonprofit, but this certainly is not a for-profit … every little bit helps to pay for the domain address, server space, digitizing music and photos, etc. etc.

And a great way to show your love is to grab some apparel over at nofightin.threadless.com.

Thanks for joining us this year, and we’ll see you in 2024. Happy New Year!

Top photo: Lester Butler and Paul Size, Moulin Blues Festival 1998