The bassist, composer, and Chess Records producer behind "Spoonful," "Hoochie Coochie Man," and "Wang Dang Doodle" — and the reason so much of rock and roll had to be sued into giving him credit.
Absolutely agree. I would also add that some of his songwriting credits are inflated due to how the Chess Brothers handled that part with artists. Several artists have been financially impacted. That is disappointing for sure and impacted many financially. Regardless, he is a pillar and deserves all his accolades and recognition alongside the other greats like Muddy, Buddy, Jimmy Reed and on and on. These guys are my heroes and changed the world and made music better!!! Long live the blues
Alan: 100% agree! Willie Dixon is truly one of the giants of 20th century American music; he's on my Mount Rushmore along with Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and say Coltrane and Miles.
There was a phase I went through in the '90s where if I found an album Willie was on, I bought it. The classic Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Ike Turner... It's insane.
I also love his work with Memphis Slim. Willie's Blues, which they recorded during a 2-hour session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio during a 1959 flight layover, is one of my favorite records ever; I've given it as a gift at least 5 times.
In full agreement. Used to own a Columbia lp by W Dixon ' I am the Blues'. Even as a young man I pondered how many of his contemporaries he influenced.
Great read Mr.A. Thanx for giving credit where It's so well deserved.🎵☮️🍄
Great piece. Shows what I don’t know, which is a lot. I’d always believed Willie to have been a six stringer and not a bass player. Pretty hard to argue that he’s not most influential, at peak of that mountain top.
Wow. Taking it back to the roots. Nice read, and an incredible listen! These guys are who everyone was trying to emulate back in the 60’s and 70’s. Jeff, Duane, Eric and Page, they all revered these greats and revolutionized the industry riding on the coattails of these great musicians.
PS. Really enjoying Blow by Blow. It’s a pretty amazing back story into those times. Great read. Thanks to Brad and Chris for this great story on Jeff.
Absolutely agree. I would also add that some of his songwriting credits are inflated due to how the Chess Brothers handled that part with artists. Several artists have been financially impacted. That is disappointing for sure and impacted many financially. Regardless, he is a pillar and deserves all his accolades and recognition alongside the other greats like Muddy, Buddy, Jimmy Reed and on and on. These guys are my heroes and changed the world and made music better!!! Long live the blues
Yes. And like WC Handy and everyone else, he certainly copyrighted what was essentially folk music.
yes, indeed. the music business has a habit of these sorts of shenanigans.
Alan: 100% agree! Willie Dixon is truly one of the giants of 20th century American music; he's on my Mount Rushmore along with Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and say Coltrane and Miles.
There was a phase I went through in the '90s where if I found an album Willie was on, I bought it. The classic Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Ike Turner... It's insane.
I also love his work with Memphis Slim. Willie's Blues, which they recorded during a 2-hour session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio during a 1959 flight layover, is one of my favorite records ever; I've given it as a gift at least 5 times.
Yeah. It really is a deep dive. Thanks for reading and signing up, Josh.
In full agreement. Used to own a Columbia lp by W Dixon ' I am the Blues'. Even as a young man I pondered how many of his contemporaries he influenced.
Great read Mr.A. Thanx for giving credit where It's so well deserved.🎵☮️🍄
Thanks Chuck.
Great piece. Shows what I don’t know, which is a lot. I’d always believed Willie to have been a six stringer and not a bass player. Pretty hard to argue that he’s not most influential, at peak of that mountain top.
Wow. Taking it back to the roots. Nice read, and an incredible listen! These guys are who everyone was trying to emulate back in the 60’s and 70’s. Jeff, Duane, Eric and Page, they all revered these greats and revolutionized the industry riding on the coattails of these great musicians.
PS. Really enjoying Blow by Blow. It’s a pretty amazing back story into those times. Great read. Thanks to Brad and Chris for this great story on Jeff.
Agreed on all fronts!