Willie Kizart facts for kids

Willie Kizart (born January 4, 1932 – died September 2, 1998) was an American guitar player. He was known for playing electric blues, a type of blues music using electric guitars.

Willie was famous for being part of Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, in the 1950s. He played guitar on a very important song called "Rocket 88" in 1951. Many people think this song was one of the very first rock and roll records ever made! It's also special because it had one of the first recorded sounds of guitar distortion. Distortion is a fuzzy, gritty sound that makes the guitar sound powerful.

Willie Kizart's Early Life

Willie Lee Kizart was born in Tutwiler, Mississippi, on January 4, 1932. His dad, Lee Kizart, was a local blues and boogie piano player. He also fixed pianos and taught music lessons.

Growing up, Willie was around many Delta blues musicians. These musicians often played at his father's cafe in Glendora, Mississippi. This cafe became famous for its blues music. Willie learned how to play the guitar from a slide guitar player named Earl Hooker. When he was a teenager, Willie joined Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm.

The "Rocket 88" Story

In March 1951, the Kings of Rhythm band traveled to Memphis, Tennessee. They were going to record music at Sam Phillips' Sun Studio. On the way to the studio, something unexpected happened. Willie's guitar amplifier fell out of the car's trunk when they got a flat tire!

The amplifier was damaged, so they stuffed it with newspapers to hold the speaker in place. This accident made a cool, distorted sound when they recorded the song "Rocket 88."

The Song's Success

The song "Rocket 88" came out in April 1951. It quickly became a big hit, reaching number one on the Billboard R&B charts in June 1951. The song was credited to the band's saxophonist and singer, Jackie Brenston.

After the song's success, Jackie Brenston decided to leave the band to start his own music career. Ike Turner then decided to stop the Kings of Rhythm band for a few years.

Later Music Career

In October 1952, Willie Kizart joined the Kings of Rhythm saxophonist Raymond Hill for another recording session at Sun Studio. These recordings were later released on different music collections.

In late 1954, Willie Kizart moved to East St. Louis, Illinois. He went with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm, who had started playing together again. Other band members included Willie "Bad Boy" Sims on drums and Johnny O'Neal singing. Ike Turner's nephew, Jessie Knight Jr., played bass. Ike's wife, Annie Mae Wilson, played piano and sang.

Ike Turner used to play piano, but he started playing guitar to let Annie Mae Wilson play piano. Ike even took lessons from Willie Kizart to get better at playing the guitar! Willie Kizart also worked as a musician for other local artists in St. Louis.

Willie Kizart passed away in Dallas, Texas, on September 2, 1998. He was 66 years old.

Discography

Albums as a sideman

• 1976: Sun: The Roots Of Rock: Volume 3: Delta Rhythm Kings (Charly Records)
• 1984: Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950-1956 (Sun Records)
• 2008: Ike Turner ⁠— Classic Early Sides 1952–1957 (JSP Records)
• 2010: Ike Turner ⁠— That Kat Sure Could Play! The Singles 1951 To 1957 (Secret Records Limited)