Willie Johnson (guitarist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Johnson
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 4, 1923 Senatobia, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 1995 (aged 71) Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Electric blues, Memphis blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Instruments | Electric guitar |
| Years active | 1940s–1950s |
| Labels | Sun |
| Associated acts | Howlin' Wolf |
Willie Johnson (born March 4, 1923 – died February 26, 1995) was an American electric blues guitarist. He is most famous for being the main guitarist in Howlin' Wolf's band. He played with the band from 1948 to 1953.
Willie Johnson's loud and unique guitar sound can be heard on many of Howlin' Wolf's songs. These songs were recorded in Memphis between 1951 and 1953. One of his most well-known recordings is on the hit song "How Many More Years" from May 1951. In 2017, Willie Johnson was honored after his death. He was added to the Blues Hall of Fame.
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Willie Johnson's Musical Journey
Willie Lee Johnson was born in Senatobia, Mississippi. He became the guitarist in the first band led by the famous blues musician Howlin' Wolf. Willie played on most of Wolf's recordings from 1951 to 1953.
His guitar playing had a special sound. It was a bit like jazz but also very strong and loud. This sound became a key part of all of Howlin' Wolf's Memphis recordings.
Playing with Other Blues Artists
Willie Johnson also played and recorded with other blues artists. These musicians were from the Memphis area. Some of them included pianist Willie Love, Willie Nix, Junior Parker, Roscoe Gordon, and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Moving to Chicago
Around 1953, Howlin' Wolf moved to Chicago. He wanted Willie Johnson to come with him, but Willie decided to stay in Memphis for a few more years. While in Memphis, he recorded for Sun Records.
In 1955, he worked with singer Sammy Lewis on a song called "I Feel So Worried." This song was released under the name Sammy Lewis with Willie Johnson. By the time Willie Johnson moved to Chicago, Howlin' Wolf had already hired a new guitarist named Hubert Sumlin.
Later Years in Music
Even after moving to Chicago, Willie Johnson sometimes played and recorded with Howlin' Wolf. He also played for a short time in the band of another blues legend, Muddy Waters. He performed with other local Chicago blues musicians too, like J. T. Brown, in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
For most of his life, Willie Johnson worked outside of music. He would only occasionally play with his old friends' bands around Chicago. His last recordings were made in the early 1990s for Earwig Music. Willie Johnson passed away in Chicago on February 26, 1995.
Other Musicians Named Willie Johnson
It's important not to confuse Willie Johnson the guitarist with other musicians who have the same name. There was a Willie Johnson who was part of the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet. He later joined the Jubilaires in 1948. Also, there was Blind Willie Johnson, an earlier gospel artist.
