T-Bone Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
T-Bone Walker
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Publicity photo of Walker, 1942
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aaron Thibeaux Walker |
| Also known as | Oak Cliff T-Bone |
| Born | May 28, 1910 Linden, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 16, 1975 (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1928–1975 |
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Aaron Thibeaux "T-Bone" Walker (born May 28, 1910 – died March 16, 1975) was an American blues musician. He was a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. T-Bone Walker helped create the sounds of jump blues and electric blues.
In 2018, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". He was ranked number 67 on their famous list. Walker passed away in March 1975 in his Los Angeles home.
Contents
About T-Bone Walker's Life
Growing Up and Starting Music (1910–1941)
Aaron Thibeaux Walker was born in Linden, Texas. His family had both African-American and Cherokee roots. His parents, Movelia Jimerson and Rance Walker, were also musicians. His stepfather, Marco Washington, taught him to play many instruments. These included the guitar, ukulele, banjo, violin, mandolin, and piano.
Walker began his music career as a teenager in Dallas in the 1920s. His mother and stepfather were musicians. A family friend, Blind Lemon Jefferson, who was a famous blues musician, often visited their home. Walker left school when he was 10 years old. By the age of 15, he was already a professional blues performer. At first, he helped Blind Lemon Jefferson by guiding him around town for his shows.
In 1929, Walker made his first recordings with Columbia Records. He was called "Oak Cliff T-Bone" on these records. He released songs like "Wichita Falls Blues" and "Trinity River Blues". "Oak Cliff" was the area where he lived, and "T-Bone" was a nickname from his middle name, Thibeaux.
Walker married Vida Lee in 1935, and they had three children together. By the time he was 25, Walker was performing in clubs in Los Angeles. He sometimes sang or played guitar with Les Hite's orchestra. In 1940, he recorded with Hite, but only as a singer.
Later Career and Achievements (1942–1975)
In 1942, T-Bone Walker moved to Chicago to play at the Rhumboogie Café. He recorded music for the Rhumboogie label in 1944 and 1945. He was backed by Marl Young's orchestra.
T-Bone Walker performed at big concerts called the Cavalcade of Jazz. These shows were held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. He played there in 1946 and again in 1947. Many other famous musicians, like Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton, also performed at these events.
Many of his most famous songs were recorded between 1946 and 1948. These included his most well-known song, "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)" (1947). Other popular songs from this time were "Bobby Sox Blues" and "West Side Baby." These songs were big hits on the R&B music charts.
Throughout his career, Walker worked with many talented musicians. These included the trumpeter Teddy Buckner and the pianist Lloyd Glenn. He also played with bassist Billy Hadnott and tenor saxophonist Jack McVea.
From 1950 to 1954, he recorded for Imperial Records. In 1959, he released the album T-Bone Blues with Atlantic Records.
In the early 1960s, Walker's career slowed down a bit. However, he gave an amazing performance at the American Folk Blues Festival in 1962. He played with musicians like Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon. After this, he released several albums that critics loved. One of these was I Want a Little Girl in 1968.
From 1968 to 1975, Walker continued to record music. He won a Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording in 1971 for his album Good Feelin'. He released another album, Fly Walker Airlines, in 1973.
Walker's health declined after he had a stroke in 1974. He passed away in March 1975 at age 64. He died from bronchial pneumonia after another stroke. T-Bone Walker greatly influenced many guitar players who came after him.
T-Bone Walker's Lasting Impact
T-Bone Walker's music and style had a huge impact on many artists. He was honored after his death by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Many famous musicians have said T-Bone Walker influenced them. Chuck Berry named Walker as one of his main inspirations. B.B. King said that hearing Walker's song "Stormy Monday" made him want to play the electric guitar. King even said that when he first heard Walker, he thought "Jesus Himself had returned to earth playing electric guitar."
Jimi Hendrix admired Walker and even copied his trick of playing the guitar with his teeth. Steve Miller shared that when he was eight years old, Walker taught him how to play the guitar behind his back and with his teeth. Walker was a family friend and a big influence on Miller's career.
Walker's song "Stormy Monday" became a favorite for many bands to play live. The Allman Brothers Band often performed it. The British rock band Jethro Tull also covered the song in 1968. Singer Eva Cassidy performed "Stormy Monday" on her 1996 album Live at Blues Alley.
Many people believe T-Bone Walker was one of the best R&B guitarists ever. He was a pioneer of electric blues. He was the first artist to make the electric guitar a solo instrument. He made it a main part of his amazing live shows.
Selected Songs and Albums
T-Bone Walker recorded many songs and albums throughout his career. Here are some of his well-known recordings:
- "Wichita Falls Blues" (1929)
- "Mean Old World" (1942)
- "Bobby Sox Blues" (1946)
- "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)" (1947)
- "I Want a Little Girl" (1948)
- "West Side Baby" (1948)
- "Cold Cold Feeling" (1952)
- T-Bone Blues (1959)
- Good Feelin' (1969)
- Fly Walker Airlines (Live in Montreux) (1972)
