Little Walter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Walter
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marion Walter Jacobs |
| Born | May 1, 1930 Marksville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 1968 (aged 37) Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1945–1967 |
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Marion Walter Jacobs (born May 1, 1930 – died February 15, 1968), known as Little Walter, was an American blues musician. He was also a talented singer and songwriter. His way of playing the harmonica was very new and exciting. It changed how people thought about the instrument. Many people compare his skill to famous artists like Jimi Hendrix. He was so good that he was put into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. He was the first and only artist added specifically for playing the harmonica.
Contents
About Little Walter's Life
Early Years and Music Journey
Little Walter was born on May 1, 1930, in Marksville, Louisiana. He grew up in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, where he learned to play the harmonica. He also learned to play the guitar.
When he was about 12 years old, he left home. He traveled to big cities like New Orleans and St. Louis. He worked odd jobs and played music on the streets. He played with older blues musicians, learning a lot from them.
In 1946, he moved to Chicago. He played guitar sometimes, but people noticed his amazing harmonica skills more. At first, his harmonica was hard to hear over loud electric guitars. So, Little Walter found a clever solution. He held a small microphone with his harmonica. He plugged the microphone into a speaker or guitar amplifier. This made his harmonica loud enough to be heard. He also used the amplifier to create new sounds. These sounds had never been heard from a harmonica before.
Rise to Music Success
Little Walter made his first recordings in 1947. In 1948, he joined Muddy Waters' band. He played the harmonica on many of Muddy Waters' famous songs.
In 1952, Little Walter started recording as a bandleader for Checker Records. His first song, "Juke", became a huge hit. It was number one on the Billboard R&B chart for eight weeks. This was the first time a harmonica song ever reached number one. "Juke" was a very big hit for Chess Records. It made Little Walter a star.
Between 1952 and 1958, Little Walter had fourteen songs in the top ten on the Billboard R&B charts. He had two number-one hits. The second one was "My Babe" in 1955. This was more success than other famous blues artists like Muddy Waters had. Many of his songs had him singing on one side and playing a harmonica solo on the other. His music often sounded more modern and faster than other blues songs of that time.
After leaving Muddy Waters' band in 1952, Little Walter formed his own band. It was called the Aces. The band included David and Louis Myers on guitars and Fred Below on drums. They were often called the Jukes on Little Walter's records. Over the years, other talented musicians played in his band.
Little Walter also played harmonica on records for many other artists. He toured Europe twice, in 1964 and 1967. There is a video of him performing in Denmark in 1967. This is the only known video of him singing.
Death
Little Walter passed away in 1968. He died from a blood clot in his heart. He was buried in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Little Walter's Musical Legacy
Music experts say Little Walter was the "king of all post-war blues harmonica players." He made the harmonica a much more important instrument. He showed how it could be played in amazing new ways. Many blues and blues rock harmonica players today learn from his style. He greatly influenced musicians like Junior Wells and James Cotton.
Little Walter's daughter, Marion Diaz Reacco, started the Little Walter Foundation. This foundation helps keep her father's music and genius alive. It supports creative arts programs, including music.
Awards and Special Recognition
Little Walter and his music have received many awards:
- 1986 – Blues Hall of Fame: "Juke" (for being a classic blues recording)
- 1991 – Blues Hall of Fame: Best of Little Walter (for being a classic blues album)
- 1995 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "Juke" (listed as one of 500 songs that shaped rock and roll)
- 2008 – Grammy Awards: "Juke" (Grammy Hall of Fame Award)
- 2008 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Little Walter was added as a "Sideman" (a musician who plays with a main artist).
- 2008 – Blues Hall of Fame: "My Babe" (for being a classic blues recording)
- 2009 – Grammy Awards: The Complete Chess Masters: 1950–1967 (Best Historical Album)
- 2010 – Rolling Stone: Best of Little Walter (ranked number 198 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time")
Discography
- The Best of Little Walter (1958)
- The Essential Little Walter (1993)
- His Best: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection (1997)
- The Complete Chess Masters (1950–1967) (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Little Walter para niños
