Whenever someone important like Little Joe Washington dies, an easy way to gauge just how much impact they had on their community is to see what people were saying about them right before they passed. Enter social media.

In Washington's case, it was a site called Funky Blues Radio, an Internet station that uses its Twitter feed as a log to track songs played, and apparently went on a bit of a Little Joe kick Tuesday. After he passed, people far and wide paid their respects -- but not surprisingly, an overwhelming amount of them were musicians.

Gonna start my set off with a Little Joe Washington tonight @alleykathou #Houston #Blues #Legend #Music #Culture ... pic.twitter.com/1WifjGXOvA

— SmoothFLL (@SmoothFLL) November 13, 2014

So glad I was able to see this Houston blues legend on a couple of occasions. RIP Little Joe Washington. http://t.co/ftQM8f27PO

— César (@cesarislaw) November 12, 2014

Rest in peace Little Joe Washington, you were one of the last weird pieces of Houston left standing.

— Craig Hlavaty (@CraigHlavaty) November 12, 2014

Live well in the second life, dear Little Joe Washington. #saddayinhoustonmusic

— Glass the Sky (@GlassTheSky) November 13, 2014

Damn Gavin told me Little Joe Washington died? WTF?!

— PBR (@MikeHunt4200) November 13, 2014

I dedicated my show tonight in St.Louis to Little Joe Washington. God Bless You Buddy!

— Rich O'Toole (@RichOToole) November 13, 2014

Rest in blues heaven #Houston #Blues Great Little Joe Washington. I'll never forget the New Year's Eve I shared the stage with greatness.

— Bob_Theory (@Bob_Theory) November 13, 2014

Blues legend Little Joe Washington dies at age 75: http://t.co/yvMvw9NoNY #RIPLittleJoe pic.twitter.com/8BV46tuTtk

— Houston News (@abc13houston) November 13, 2014

We're a little less Houston now. RT @hprocksoff: Here's to You, Little Joe Washington: http://t.co/SBWnhN9tTe pic.twitter.com/GEr294TecU

— Sound Awake (@SoundAwakeRadio) November 13, 2014

Rest In Peace Little Joe Washington https://t.co/VUPlNauJs7

— Jay Lee (@jaylee) November 13, 2014

Houston blues musician Little Joe Washington dies http://t.co/jYTHFxlUQI via @houstonchron

— Rev. KM Williams (@revkmwilliams) November 13, 2014

RIP Little Joe Washington. I recorded this before you died today. We were thinking about you: https://t.co/GpMHXFhw3t #HoustonRapTapesRadio

— Lance Scott Walker (@lanceswalker) November 13, 2014

Obits: Little Joe Washington, Houston Blues Legend Dies At 75 [#littlejoewashington] http://t.co/t6f8UBqoNZ http://t.co/kDUX3zo65E

— Brad Gilmore (@bradgilmore) November 13, 2014

R.I.P Little Joe Washington. Honored to have had you perform at Smooth Tony's.

— Smooth Tony's (@SmoothTonys) November 13, 2014

More tributes on the next page.

Gonna start my set off with a Little Joe Washington tonight alleykathou #Houston #Blues #Legend #Music... http://t.co/fzBeU1wEoA

— Flash Gordon Parks (@flashgparks) November 13, 2014

just heard little Joe Washington has passed. Was a pleasure to have known him. Always poped into the radio show and was welcomed. miss u.

— rad rich (@radrichardc) November 13, 2014

Coog Radio is saddened to hear about the loss of Little Joe Washington, a true Houston music icon. You will be missed....

— Coog Radio (@coogradio) November 13, 2014

RIP #LittleJoeWashington http://t.co/o9drJdKYmx

— Sig's Lagoon (@SigsLagoon) November 13, 2014

Obits: Little Joe Washington, Houston Blues Legend Dies At 75 [#littlejoewashington] - Little Joe... http://t.co/wahoglj32Y

— Day & A Dream (@dayandadream) November 13, 2014

The first time I met Little Joe Washington, I was using the bathroom when he rushed up and tried to sell me a CD. RIP, you crazy legend.

— Brett Koshkin (@bkoshkin) November 13, 2014

RIP Little Joe Washington. Check out this heart warning interview I did with him in 2012 ▶️http://t.co/16OwIi69lM pic.twitter.com/MT77QqJh1D

— Ky Meyer (@KyMeyerTunedIn) November 13, 2014

Rest in peace Little Joe Washington. Words cannot describe your legacy. pic.twitter.com/T4gaio10Ik

— Steve Krase (@harpace) November 13, 2014

I saw him play the guitar with his teeth. It was the worst shit I've ever seen...but he had a great time. RIP. http://t.co/4SuAGysEI5

— andrewbeard (@grossarms) November 13, 2014

damn. little joe washington died today. that's fucked. that man could play the fuck out of the guitar.

— micah. (@giraffegooch) November 13, 2014

Donate to a fund set up for Washington's funeral expenses at this link.

ROCKS OFF'S GREATEST HITS

The Ask Willie D Archives Houston's Top 10 Day-Drinking Bars Hardcore's Five MVPs Right Now 10 More Houston Acts You Should Be Listening To Houston's Top 10 Hip-Hop Clubs

• Houston Music
• Miles-tones