Monday, August 22, 2005

Aug 22 John Lee Hooker, blues singer and guitarist was born.

John Lee Hooker Early Years: Classic Savoy Sessions Album Cover
On this day back in 1917 John Lee Hooker, blues singer and guitarist was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was the son of cotton-sharcroppers. He told of learning to play the blues from his stepfather and other blues men that he met in the Mississippi Delta. He is reported to have consturcted his first instrument from strings made of rubber inner tube nailed to a barn. He left home and the tender age of 14, and started singing in a gospel group. In 1943 he moved to Detroit and in 1948 he made his first recording, the rythm-and-blues hit "Boogie Chillun".

His discogrphy is a long and varied one. He recorded more than 100 albums accompanying himself on electric guitar. His music is a mix of slow blues tunes and fast boogies, which he played as he toured thgoughout the United States. After Hooker was rediscovered by the white blues-rockers of the 1960's he recorded with several rock musicians and influenced many young singers and electric guitar players.

Hooker's later popular albums include;

16-song Rhino CD The Very Best Of John Lee Hooker (April 25, 1995),
Chill Out (February 21, 1995),
and Live At The Cafe Au Go-Go (And Soledad Prison) [LIVE] (1996).

He won three Grammy awards and was inducted (1991) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mr. Hooker passed away on Thursday, June 21st 2001.

"Mr. Lucky Windows Media Player File"

John Lee Hooker



John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker
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