It's the Birthday of John Lee Hooker

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On this day back in 1917 John Lee Hooker, blues singer and guitarist was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was the son of cotton-sharecroppers. 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 constructed 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 rhythm-and-blues hit "Boogie Chillun".

John Lee Hooker - It Serves Me Right To Suffer


His discography 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 throughout 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.


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Hooker's later popular albums include;

The Very Best Of John Lee Hooker (April 25, 1995),

Chill Out (February 21, 1995),

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.







John Lee Hooker
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