The International Blues Duo

The International Blues Duo was founded in 1982 on Chicago’s North Side when Gary Wiggins moved to Chicago from Detroit and Christian Rannenberg just arrived in Chicago from Germany. After a jam session at the Kingston Mines Club the two realized that together they had an interesting energy and sound. They decided to create The International Blues Duo and immediately started working the north side blues clubs such as B.L.U.E.S., Kingston Mines, Lillies, as well as performing with Lefty Dizz, Sunnyland Slim, Johnny Littlejohn, Sam Myers and many others on the Chicago blues scene. After one year of living and playing in Chicago, Gary and Chris joined the Lefty Dizz Band for a 21 day tour of the Scandinavian countries. Once they were on the European continent, they agreed to relocate to Germany, where they became an immediate sensation. From 1983 to 1990 they toured and played blues festivals, blues clubs, did radio and television shows. They recorded three LPs and invited many musicians to tour Europe with them such as Johnny Heartsman, Johnny Copeland, King George, Charlie Musselwhite, Angela Brown, Jeanny Carroll and Big Jay McNeely.