Slim Harpo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Slim Harpo

Background information
Birth name	James Isaac Moore
Born	(1924-01-11)January 11, 1924 Lobdell, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	January 31, 1970(1970-01-31) (aged 46) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Blues
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Harmonica, guitar, vocals
Years active	c. 1950–1970
Labels	Excello, Stateside

Slim Harpo (born James Isaac Moore; January 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970) was an American blues musician. He was a master of the blues harmonica, often called a "harp" in blues music. Slim Harpo was known for his unique "swamp blues" style. He was also one of the most successful blues artists of his time.

His most famous songs include "I'm a King Bee" (1957), "Rainin' in My Heart" (1961), and "Baby Scratch My Back" (1966). "Baby Scratch My Back" even reached number one on the R&B music charts! It also made it to number 16 on the main Hot 100 singles chart.

Early Life and Music Career
Slim Harpo's Influence on Music
Discography
See also

Early Life and Music Career

James Isaac Moore was born in Lobdell, Louisiana. He was the oldest child in his family. After his parents passed away, he worked in New Orleans in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He worked as a longshoreman and construction worker.

He was inspired by the blues musician Jimmy Reed. James started playing music in Baton Rouge bars. He used the name "Harmonica Slim" at first. He also played with his brother-in-law, Lightnin' Slim, in live shows.

Becoming Slim Harpo

In March 1957, James began his recording career. He worked with J. D. "Jay" Miller, a record producer. To avoid confusion with another musician named Harmonica Slim, he changed his name. His wife suggested "Slim Harpo," and he liked it!

His first song for Excello Records was "I'm a King Bee" in 1957. The other side of the record was "I Got Love If You Want It." This song became popular in his local area. However, it did not become a national hit.

Chart Success and New Sounds

Slim Harpo released more songs with Excello. He finally had his first big hit, "Rainin' in My Heart," in early 1961. This song reached number 17 on the R&B chart. It also hit number 34 on the Hot 100 chart. Soon after, he released an album with the same name. Many of his songs were written with his wife, Lovelle Moore.

Slim Harpo was not a full-time musician. He owned a trucking business during the 1960s. He and his band had to tour a lot to earn money.

By 1964, his songs were becoming popular in the UK. British rock bands started playing his music. Some even covered his songs. The British band The Moody Blues might have even gotten their name from one of his instrumental songs!

Music expert Cub Koda said that Slim Harpo's music was very flexible. It was popular with many different artists. He blended rock and roll rhythms into his blues music. He also used country and western singing styles.

Biggest Hits and Later Years

Slim Harpo had his biggest success in 1966. His song "Baby Scratch My Back" reached number one on the R&B chart. It also hit number 16 on the main chart. He called this song "an attempt at rock & roll."

He toured widely in the late 1960s. He mostly played for rock audiences. Sadly, Slim Harpo passed away suddenly from a heart attack in January 1970. He was only 46 years old. He was buried in Mulatto Bend Cemetery in Port Allen, Louisiana.

Slim Harpo's Influence on Music

Slim Harpo's songs were very popular with other artists. Many famous bands covered his music. These include Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks, and Van Morrison with Them.

The Slim Harpo Music Awards are held every year in Baton Rouge. They are named in his honor. The money raised from these awards helps a program called "Music in the Schools." This program helps kids learn about music.

A book about his life was published in 2006. It is called Slim Harpo: Blues King Bee of Baton Rouge. David Fricke from Rolling Stone magazine praised the book. He said it brought Slim Harpo's story to life.

Discography

Singles

1957 - "I'm a King Bee" / "I Got Love if You Want It" (Excello 2113)
1958 - "Wondering and Worryin'" / "Strange Love" (Excello 2138)
1959 - "You'll Be Sorry One Day" / "One More Day" (Excello 2162)
1960 - "Buzz Me Babe" / "Late Last Night" (Excello 2171)
1960 - "What a Dream" (Excello 2184)
1961 - "Rainin' in My Heart" / "Don't Start Cryin' Now" (Excello 2194) - R&B chart #17, US pop chart #34
1963 - "I Love the Life I'm Living" / "Buzzin'" (Excello 2239)
1964 - "I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis)" / "My Little Queen Bee (Got a Brand New King)" (Excello 2246)
1964 - "Still Rainin' in My Heart" / "We're Two of a Kind" (Excello 2253)
1964 - "Sittin' Here Wondering" / "What's Goin' on Baby" (Excello 2261)
1964 - "Harpo's Blues" / "Please Don't Turn Me Down" (Excello 2265)
1966 - "Baby Scratch My Back" / "I'm Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)" (Excello 2273) - R&B chart #1, US pop chart #16
1966 - "Shake Your Hips" / "Midnight Blues" (Excello 2278)
1966 - "I'm Your Bread Maker, Baby" / "Loving You (The Way I Do)" (Excello 2282)
1967 - "Tip On In (Part 1)" / "Tip On In (Part 2)" (Excello 2285) - R&B chart #37
1967 - "I'm Gonna Keep What I've Got" / "I've Got To Be With You Tonight" (Excello 2289)
1968 - "Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu" / "Mailbox Blues" (Excello 2294) - R&B chart #36
1968 - "Mohair Sam" / "I Just Can't Leave You" (Excello 2301)
1968 - "That's Why I Love You" / "Just For You" (Excello 2305)
1968 - "Folsom Prison Blues" / "Mutual Friend" (Excello 2306)
1968 - "I've Got My Finger on Your Trigger" / "The Price Is Too High" (Excello 2309)
1969 - "Rainin' in My Heart" (reissue) / "Jody Man" (Excello 2316)

Albums

1960 - Tunes to Be Remembered (one track; various artists - Excello LPS-8001)
1961 - Raining in My Heart (Excello LPS-8003) (CD release: Hip-O/MCA 40135, 1998 - with 3 bonus tracks)
1963 - Authentic R & B (three tracks; various artists - UK Stateside SL-10068)
1964 - The Real R & B (three tracks; various artists - UK Stateside SL-10112)
1964 - A Long Drink of Blues (six tracks...all of side 2; compilation album shared with Lightnin' Slim - UK Stateside SL-10135)
1966 - Baby Scratch My Back (Excello LPS-8005)
1968 - Tip On In (Excello LPS-8008)
1968 - Saturday Night Function: Rural Blues, Vol. 2 (two tracks; various artists - Imperial LM-94001)
1969 - The Best of Slim Harpo (compilation album - Excello LPS-8010)
1969 - The Real Blues (one track; various artists - Excello LPS-8011)
1970 - Slim Harpo Knew the Blues (Excello LPS-8013)
1970 - He Knew the Blues (Blue Horizon S7-63854; UK version of Excello LPS-8013 with two extra tracks: "Shake Your Hips" and "I'm Your Bread Maker Baby")
1971 - Trigger Finger (UK Blue Horizon 2431 013)
1972 - The Excello Story (three tracks; various artists - Excello LPS-8025) 2LP
1976 - Slim Harpo...Knew the Blues (Vol. 2) (Excello/Nashboro 28030) 2LP/25 tracks compilation of LPS-8008, LPS-8013, and four singles: Excello 2301, 2305, 2306, 2309; plus one previously unreleased track: "Stick Your Chest Out Baby".
1978 - Slim Harpo...He Knew the Blues (Sonet SNTF-769) single LP/14 tracks sampler of Excello 28030.

Compilation albums

1989 - Scratch My Back: The Best of Slim Harpo (The Original King Bee) (Rhino 70169)
1989 - I'm a King Bee (Flyright FLYCD-05)
1993 - The Best of Slim Harpo (Ace Records CDCHM-410)
1994 - I'm a King Bee (Ace CDCHD-510)
1995 - Hip Shakin': The Excello Collection (Excello/AVI 2001) 2CD
1995 - Shake Your Hips (Ace CDCHD-558)
1996 - Tip On In (Ace CDCHD 606)
1996 - The Scratch: Rare and Unissued, Volume 1 (Excello/AVI 3015)
1997 - Sting It Then! (Ace CDCHD-658) -note: live recording from 1961.
1997 - The Best of Slim Harpo (Hip-O/MCA 40072)
2003 - The Excello Singles Anthology (Hip-O/UMe B0000583 02) 2CD
2011 - Slim Harpo Rocks (Bear Family BCD-17129)
2015 - Buzzin' the Blues: The Complete Slim Harpo (Bear Family BCD-17339) 5-CD box set

Slim Harpo facts for kids

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