Willie Mabon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Mabon
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Mabon in 1976
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Willie James Mabon |
| Born | October 24, 1925 Hollywood, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | April 19, 1985 (aged 59) Paris, France |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano, harmonica |
| Years active | 1949–1984 |
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Willie James Mabon (born October 24, 1925 – died April 19, 1985) was an American singer, songwriter, and piano player. He was famous for his Rhythm and Blues (R&B) music. Willie Mabon had two songs that became number one hits on the Billboard R&B chart. These popular songs were "I Don't Know" in 1952 and "I'm Mad" in 1953.
Contents
Willie Mabon's Music Journey
Willie Mabon grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, in an area called Hollywood. He was already known for his singing and piano skills. In 1942, he moved to the city of Chicago.
Starting His Career
In Chicago, Willie Mabon started a music group called the Blues Rockers. By 1949, he began recording his music. He worked with record companies like Aristocrat Records and later Chess Records.
His Biggest Hits
Willie Mabon had his first huge success in 1952. His song "I Don't Know" became a number one hit. It stayed at the top of the Billboard R&B chart for eight weeks! This song was very popular for its time. It was also one of the biggest hits for Chess Records. Later, famous artists like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley would have even bigger hits for the label.
"I Don't Know" was also special because a leading white artist, Tennessee Ernie Ford, covered it. This means he recorded his own version of the song. Willie Mabon's original song was played on early radio shows by Alan Freed. It sold well to both Black and white audiences. This helped bridge different music styles as the rock-and-roll era began.
In 1953, Mabon had another number one R&B hit with his song "I'm Mad." The next year, in 1954, he had another popular song called "Poison Ivy."
Later Years and Legacy
After these big hits, Willie Mabon's music career slowed down a bit. He released more songs in the late 1950s and 1960s, but they were not as successful. Some of these songs included "I'm the Fixer" and "Got to Have Some."
In 1972, Willie Mabon moved to Paris, France. He continued to perform and record music in Europe. He was part of a tour called "American Blues Legends." He also recorded albums for Big Bear Records and Ornament Records. Willie Mabon even performed at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. He passed away in Paris in April 1985 after being sick for a while.
See also
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
