#30 The Master is in... John Lee Hooker

Behold, behold, the grandfather of rock. John Lee Hooker was one of the biggest innovators of the blues and the creator of what would later be referred to as the 'talking blues'. His boogie-woogie style of instrumentation mixed with his early proto-rap style of vocals was a huge influence upon the early rock and roll scene in the early 60's. Groups such as the Rolling Stones and the Fleetwood Mac, as well as artists like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. At first glance it almost seems odd that his influence in the early 60's was so much greater throughout Europe then it was back in the USA. At the time though, there were so many fantastic blues musicians coming out of the USA that American listeners probably didn't know who to listen to first. Also, the civil rights battles in the states in those days really divided the music for a lot of people and many would be unwilling to listen to music from black musicians.

His recording career began in 1948 when he recorded his infamous "Boogie Chillen." Released on the Modern label, the song introduced Hooker's standard for hypnotic, rambling, one-chord guitar playing and his deep, haunting vocals. "Boogie Chillen" was a throwback to prewar country blues and the antithesis of the slick rhythm & blues that filled out the charts in the years immediately following World War II. Incredibly, "Boogie Chillen" made it all the way to number 1 on the R&B charts in early 1949 and today is considered one of the all-time classic songs in the blues treasury. Over the many decades since then, Hooker has released over 100 albums, has won several Grammy awards including a Grammy lifetime achievement award and has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1980) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991) for his vast influence upon a vast majority of rock and roll alumni. His induction into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame was totally called for in my opinion for the man who has influenced countless fans and musicians who have in turn influenced many more.

As an artist, John Lee Hooker's style has always been unique, even among others of the blues greats. While retaining that foundation he has never shied away from breaking new ground musically and commercially. At the age of 80, John Lee Hooker received his third and fourth Grammy Awards, for Best Traditional Blues Recording "Don't Look Back" and for Best Pop Collaboration for the song "Don't Look Back" which Hooker recorded with his long time friend Van Morrison. This Friendship and others are celebrated on Hooker's album, The Best Of Friends. The album also celebrated a return, exactly 50 years later, to Hooker's first hit, Boogie Chillen and serves as a perfect bookend for Hooker's fifty years in the business.



Check out this clip, this was the first I had ever heard or seen of John Lee Hooker. Childhood memories! Thanks Mom!