Aaron Thibadeaux "T-Bone" Walker (May 28, 1910 — March 16, 1975) was a critically acclaimed American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and one of the most influential pioneers and innovators of the jump blues and electric blues sound.
He is believed by some biographers to be the first musician to perform playing the electric guitar.
In his prime, circa 1945-1965, Texas-born T-Bone Walker was the Elvis Presley and the Jimi Hendrix of electric blues. He was a national star in the pre-TV era as an early and highly innovative electric guitarist (famed for single-note solos and horn-like chording), an excellent songwriter, a powerful singer, a prolific record-maker, and an acrobatic showman (he'd do splits while playing his big Gibson hollow-body behind his head, or pick the strings with his teeth) After his wild sets, the stages would be littered with jewelry, cash, and panties.
Chuck Berry named Walker as his main influence. B.B. King cites hearing Walker's "Stormy Monday" record as his inspiration for getting an electric guitar. Walker was also the childhood hero of Jimi Hendrix, and Hendrix imitated some of Walker's ways throughout his life.
In September 2003, Rolling Stone ranked him at #47 in their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
The immortal "Call It Stormy Monday" was the product of a 1947 Black & White date with Teddy Buckner on trumpet and invaluable pianist Lloyd Glenn in the backing quintet.
"They call it Stormy Monday,
But Tuesday is just as bad.
Wednesday's worse,
And Thursday's also sad."
No comments:
Post a Comment