This information passed along by Kevin Johnson from Delmark Records:
Chicago bluesman Lester “Mad Dog” Davenport passed away last Tuesday, March 17th after battling prostate cancer for years. Our friend, the legendary guitarist Jimmy Dawkins told us about Lester’s passing Saturday night at Rooster’s Palace, where Delmark was recording a wild Tail Dragger performance on the West Side (with Rockin’ Johnny and Kevin Shanahan on guitars, Martin Lange on harp, and the legendary Jimmy Dawkins sittin’ in for a few!)
Lester was born in Tchula, MS on January 16, 1932 (same home town as his Chicago buddy, Jimmy Dawkins). Davenport is cousins with Chicago greats Big and Little Smokey Smothers, and also related to Lee Shot Williams.
Mad Dog was a great blues multi-instrumentalist, mostly known for his tough harmonica playing (with Bo Diddley!) , but was also a great bass, guitar, and piano player! Lester recorded 2 CDs as a leader, When the Blues Hit You (Earwig ’91) and I Smell A Rat (Delmark ’02) and guested on many albums, from Bo Diddley, Willie Kent, Johnny B. Moore, Aron Burton, Kinsey Report, and Big Jack Johnson.