2025 Inductee

RUSS LAMBERT

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – HARMONICA

Russ began playing at the request of his commanding officer in basic training, who may have either played or encouraged him to play, in his down time.

I’m thinking his superior was fond enough of him keep him occupied and away from trouble.

It kind of worked, for the most part, as he was discharged honorably with commendations and served 1980-84.

This person presented him with his first Marine Band harp, during marching maneuvers, that set forth a trajectory he followed his whole life!

He was stationed on a Naval aircraft carrier that hovered on the coast Beruit (1980) awaiting touch down. His battalion was the first “in country “ since Vietnam.

Our boys were fed K rations leftover from that conflict, AKA known as “scraps”.

Our presence in Beruit was said to be a peace keeping mission, but was anything but that

Easy in, easy out, we thought, until a lone suicide bomber broke through the guarded gates in a truck full of munitions.

In the early morning hours of, they Marines still sleeping in their cots had no chance
Even if they had their guns and could’ve taken down the driver of the truck, they were soon to learn their guns held blanks.

500+ Marines died that day on what they believed to be in the name of peace.
Russ will say with deep sadness we were sitting ducks!

It was at this time, confined to the ship and awaiting the unknown, that he honed his skills on the harp, getting recognition from his fellow Marines. He was encouraged by them, to play a concert, (his first one) on that freighter.

His playing entertained and inspired many, as he was featured on a news real that told the story of an American playing for “the boys”.

Back at home, Americans watched Ted Koppel introduce the 19-year-old Russ, as he played a tune that was then broadcast on multiple news stations and networks.

His parents beamed and the country was proud seeing the ingenuity of this 19yo kid from Berwyn PA! True American spirit!
God and Country have always been his cornerstone.

After his service he returned to his beloved home, and Mom and Dad.

He eventually worked very hard as a stone mason, but his true passion was his harp and the blues. It was then that he began the task of forming various bands and entertaining around Chester County for almost 3 decades
He may not have ever found the ideal grouping of a band that stuck, but it afforded him the chance to meet and influence so many more if he had remained with one group alone.

He has known both local, famous and infamous blues musicians along the way and is always in for a gig or to “sit in”, no matter his life circumstances.

The music is in his heart and soul, and he strove to play as well as Little Walter, who’s musicianship he admired.

Like Walter, his life was fraught with challenges, both physical and personal
Despite this, he always loved the music.

Russ will engage anyone who would listen, about the blues and the sorted and raucous roadhouse details that make his stories so interesting

From near death back door escapes, to women who wronged them, sidemen to frontmen, these were all characters you would come to know through Russ’ storytelling.

The rich oral history is what people loved about him as they would gradually come to know his life and listen to him play
Russ, it seems, is no different than the characters in his stories.

Wild times, prison, motorcycle chases, broken hearts, many broken hearts, bar fights (including a cigar bar) were his daily bread.
He embodied the spirit of the music that inspired the songs he related to so well. Pain and suffering are had by all but when you “live a life on the edge” it cuts deeply.

Always by his side, and his favorite ‘female’ is his RCA beauty, Naya, that he says is the “love of his life”

He played his heart out for everyone he met, always a harp in his pocket as he was a self-proclaimed “entertainer” not “just “ a musician.

Anyone seeing him perform, could testify to his physicality and stage presence, flirting and cajoling, he drew a crowd in. All this gave us so much to be entertained by.

His dedication and love for blues have earned him this honor, and if he prays and plays really hard, there still might be a chance of him entering the Pearly Gates.

Jesus is his main man, let’s just hope for Russ’ sake, that his savior is also a Bluesman!!