Jimmy Reed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Reed
Background information
Birth name	Mathis James Reed
Born	(1925-09-06)September 6, 1925 Dunleith, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	August 29, 1976(1976-08-29) (aged 50) Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres	Blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, harmonica, guitar
Years active	1940s–1976
Labels	Vee-Jay

Mathis James Reed (born September 6, 1925 – died August 29, 1976) was an American blues musician and songwriter. He was known for his special style of electric blues music. His songs were popular with both blues fans and people who didn't usually listen to blues.

Some of his famous songs include "Honest I Do" (1957), "Baby What You Want Me to Do" (1960), "Big Boss Man" (1961), and "Bright Lights, Big City" (1961). These songs appeared on important music charts like Billboard magazine's R&B and Hot 100 singles charts.

Jimmy Reed inspired many other musicians. Famous artists like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams Jr., and The Rolling Stones recorded his songs. Music critic Cub Koda even called him "perhaps the most influential bluesman of all." This was because his music was easy to listen to and enjoy.

Life Story of Jimmy Reed

Jimmy Reed was born in Dunleith, Mississippi, in the United States. He learned to play the harmonica and guitar from his friend, Eddie Taylor. For several years, he played music on the streets.

In 1943, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. After the war, he was released from the Navy in 1945.

He went back to Mississippi for a short time and married his girlfriend, Mary. She became known as Mama Reed. Then, they moved to Gary, Indiana. Jimmy worked at a meat-packing factory there.

Mama Reed was an important part of Jimmy's music. She often sang background vocals on his recordings. She helped make his hit songs like "Baby What You Want Me to Do", "Big Boss Man", and "Bright Lights, Big City" even better.

Becoming a Popular Musician

By the 1950s, Jimmy Reed was a well-known musician. He played with a group called the Gary Kings, which included John Brim. He also played music on the street with Willie Joe Duncan.

Jimmy first tried to get a record deal with Chess Records, but it didn't work out. However, he signed with Vee-Jay Records. This happened thanks to John Brim's drummer, Albert King.

At Vee-Jay, Jimmy started playing with his old friend Eddie Taylor again. Soon, he released his first hit song, "You Don't Have to Go." This song was the start of many more hit songs for him.

Sometimes, when Jimmy was recording, his wife Mama Reed would help him remember the words to his songs. In 1957, Jimmy developed epilepsy. This condition was not understood for a long time.

When Vee-Jay Records closed, Jimmy's manager signed him with a new record label called ABC-Bluesway. However, Jimmy did not have any more hit songs after that. In 1968, he went on a music tour in Europe as part of the American Folk Blues Festival.

Reed's grave at Lincoln Cemetery

Jimmy Reed passed away in 1976 in Oakland, California. He died from respiratory failure just eight days before his 51st birthday. He is buried in the Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.

After his death, Jimmy Reed was honored for his music. He was added to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. Then, in 1991, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Reed's Influence on Music

Jimmy Reed's music had a big impact on many other artists. The famous band The Rolling Stones said that Jimmy Reed greatly influenced their sound. In their early concerts, they often played his songs. These included "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" and "The Sun Is Shining." They also played "Bright Lights, Big City" and "Shame, Shame, Shame."

The Rolling Stones' song "Little by Little" was inspired by Reed's "Shame, Shame, Shame." They even put "Honest I Do" on their very first album in 1964. In 2016, they recorded a version of Reed's "Little Rain" for their album Blue & Lonesome.

Other bands also loved Jimmy Reed's music. The Yardbirds recorded "I Ain't Got You." With guitarist Jeff Beck, they made an instrumental song called "Like Jimmy Reed Again." The Animals were also inspired by him and recorded "I Ain't Got You" and "Bright Lights, Big City."

Van Morrison's group Them covered "Bright Lights, Big City" and "Baby, What You Want Me to Do." The band Grateful Dead often performed "Big Boss Man" in their concerts.

Famous Artists Who Covered His Songs

Elvis Presley recorded several of Jimmy Reed's songs. He had a hit with "Big Boss Man" in 1967. Elvis also performed "Baby, What You Want Me to Do" for his 1968 TV show.

"Baby, What You Want Me to Do" was also covered by Wishbone Ash and by Johnny and Edgar Winter. Musicians Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan released an album called On the Jimmy Reed Highway to honor him.

Comedian and singer Bill Cosby covered four of Reed's songs for his 1967 album. These included "Bright Lights, Big City" and "Big Boss Man."

The Steve Miller Band covered five of Jimmy Reed's songs. These were "You're So Fine," "I Wanna Be Loved (But by Only You)," "Big Boss Man," "Caress Me Baby," and "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby."

More recently, Bob Dylan paid tribute to Jimmy Reed with his song "Goodbye Jimmy Reed" on his 2020 album Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Jimmy Reed's Music Releases

Singles

Selected Albums

See also

In Spanish: Jimmy Reed para niños

• Blues harp
• List of blues musicians
• List of people from Mississippi
• List of people with epilepsy