Robert Lockwood Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Lockwood Jr.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Lockwood Jr. |
| Also known as | "Robert Junior" Lockwood |
| Born | March 27, 1915 Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 21, 2006 (aged 91) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Delta blues, electric blues, Chicago blues, country blues |
| Instruments | Guitar, organ |
| Years active | 1930s–2006 |
| Associated acts | Robert Johnson, B.B. King |
Robert Lockwood Jr. (born March 27, 1915 – died November 21, 2006) was an American Delta blues guitarist. He recorded music for famous labels like Chess Records. He was the only guitarist who learned directly from the legendary blues musician Robert Johnson.
Robert Lockwood Jr. was also one of the first Black entertainers to perform on radio in the Southern United States. He was part of the popular King Biscuit Time radio show. People remember Lockwood for working with Sonny Boy Williamson II for many years. He also played with Little Walter in the 1950s.
Contents
Robert Lockwood Jr.'s Life Story
Early Years and Learning Music
Lockwood was born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas. This was a small village near Helena. He started playing the organ in his father's church when he was eight years old.
Later, the famous blues musician Robert Johnson lived with Lockwood's mother for about 10 years. Lockwood learned a lot from Johnson. He learned how to play the guitar, how to keep time, and how to perform on stage. Because of his connection to Johnson, people called him "Robert Junior" Lockwood. He was known by this nickname among musicians for his whole life.
Starting a Music Career
By the time he was 15, Lockwood was playing music professionally. He performed at parties in the Helena area. He often played with Robert Johnson and with other blues legends like Sonny Boy Williamson II and Johnny Shines.
In the 1930s, Lockwood played music everywhere. He performed at fish fries, in juke joints (small clubs), and on street corners. Once, he played on one side of the Sunflower River. Robert Johnson played on the other side. People in Clarksdale, Mississippi, walked around the bridge. They reportedly couldn't tell which guitarist was the real Robert Johnson!
Around 1937–1938, Lockwood played with Williamson and Elmore James. They performed in places like Winona, Greenwood, and Greenville. He also played with Howlin' Wolf in Memphis, Tennessee, around 1938. From 1939 to 1940, he played in St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, and Helena.
On July 1, 1941, Lockwood made his first recordings. He recorded with Doctor Clayton for the Bluebird label. Later that month, he recorded four songs under his own name. These songs were "Little Boy Blue," "Take a Little Walk with Me," "I'm Gonna Train My Baby," and "Black Spider Blues." He continued to play these songs throughout his career.
Radio and Chicago Blues
In 1941, Lockwood and Williamson started performing on the daily radio show King Biscuit Time. This show was on KFFA in Helena. For several years, they played together and were famous for this radio program.
From about 1944 to 1949, Lockwood played in West Memphis, Arkansas, St. Louis, Chicago, and Memphis. He influenced B. B. King and played in King's band early in King's career.
In 1950, Lockwood moved to Chicago. He released more songs, including "I'm Gonna Dig Myself a Hole" in 1951. In 1954, he joined Little Walter's band as the guitarist. He played on Walter's number one hit song "My Babe" in 1955. He left the band around 1957.
In the late 1950s, he recorded with Sonny Boy Williamson for Chess Records. These recordings also included famous musicians like Willie Dixon and Otis Spann. Lockwood also played with other blues greats such as Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Boyd, Roosevelt Sykes, J. B. Lenoir, and Muddy Waters.
Later Career and Achievements
In 1960, Lockwood moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He lived there for the rest of his life. In the early 1960s, his band, Bob Lockwood Jr. and Combo, played regularly at Loving's Grill.
From the 1970s to the 2000s, he performed often with his band, the All Stars. They played at many local places in Cleveland. He continued to play his regular shows just two days before he became ill. His band continued their weekly performances for two years after he passed away.
Lockwood released several albums as a bandleader. These include Steady Rollin' Man (1970) and Contrasts (1973). He also released solo guitar and vocal albums like Plays Robert and Robert (1982).
When he was 60 years old, in 1975, he discovered the 12-string guitar. He loved it so much that he played it almost all the time for the last third of his life. His most famous 12-string guitar was blue. It was custom-made by Japanese instrument makers. This guitar is now displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
In 2004, Lockwood performed live with other blues legends. This performance was recorded and released in 2007 as Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas. This album won a Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Blues Album. It was the first Grammy Award for Lockwood.
Robert Lockwood Jr. passed away at the age of 91 in Cleveland. He suffered a cerebral aneurysm and a stroke. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland.
Awards and Honors
Robert Lockwood Jr. received many important awards and honors:
- 2008 Grammy Award – Traditional Blues Album
- A street in Cleveland was named Robert Lockwood Jr. Drive in his honor.
- He was inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 1989.
- In 1995, he received the National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor in folk and traditional arts in the United States. It was presented by then–First Lady Hillary Clinton.
- He won the W.C. Handy Blues Music Award seven times.
- He received honorary doctorates from Case Western Reserve University (2001) and Cleveland State University (2002).
Music Albums (Discography)
Solo Albums
- Steady Rollin' Man (1973)
- I Got to Find Me a Woman (1998)
Albums with Other Artists
- With Otis Spann:
- Otis Spann Is the Blues (1960)
- Walking the Blues (1960)
- With Roosevelt Sykes:
- Feel Like Blowing My Horn (1973)
- With Sonny Boy Williamson:
- The Real Folk Blues (1966)
See also
In Spanish: Robert Lockwood Jr. para niños
- Chicago Blues Festival
- List of blues musicians
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of country blues musicians
- List of Delta blues musicians
