We can never "capture" all of the great talents and songs of blues history.  Instead, we're going to feature some of them in our "limited" discography and provide some personal opinions from our Members about selected Artists. We encourage you to further research the Artists and their contributions to this great American Art Form

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker

As far as I'm concerned John Lee Hooker is one of the true giants of the blues, in the same class as B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. He was born in 1920 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His stepfather taught him to play guitar and his main musical influence was his church's gospel music. He made his recording debut in 1948 with the nationwide hit "Boogie Chillen."

I was privileged to see him play in Atlanta at the late great Moonshadow Saloon and the experience is etched in my soul.

John lee had a rhythmic approach to guitar playing and his styling would be very much like a delta blues artist from the 1920s if it weren't for his electric guitar. He played solo mostly and his hypnotic voice and foot stomping became his trademarks. In the early 1950s John lee moved to Detroit and began recording for every label that would give him a deal. With his solo acoustic blues sound he gained an appreciative following among the folk music fans during the 60s. In the 1970s he moved to Oakland and began issuing new albums in amazing numbers. John Lee was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1980 as a performer and again in 1985 for the single "Boogie Chillen," and made a cameo appearance in the movie The Blues Brothers. In 1989 he released "The Healer" which had new material and guest appearances by Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Robert Cray and others. That album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Blues Recording and Hooker won a Grammy for "I'm in the Mood," a duet recorded with Raitt.

In 1997 he opened his own blues club in California - John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room - and continued to perform until he passed from this earth on June 21, 2001, a true creative original whose like will never be seen again.

Deep and intense was the blues John lee played.

pat kreeft