A childhood love for a local muddy creek earned him the "Muddy Waters" title. The name served him well, as it became synonymous with the Blues.
April 14, 1915
April 30, 1983
Rolling Fork, Mississippi
Columbia Records first recorded Muddy, but didn't release the sessions until 1971, paving the way for a historic career with Chess Records. Waters embodied the new urbane Chicago Blues style the arose in the late 1940's/early 1950's.
Among his hits: She Moves Me, Got My Mojo Working, She's Nineteen Years Old, I Can't Be Satisfied, and Long Distance Call.
Teamed with the songwriting ability of Blues genius Willie Dixon, the world was graced with such classic tunes as: Hoochie Coochie Man, I'm Ready, and I Just Want to Make Love to You.
Muddy played slide guitar. Using a piece of metal pipe or a glass pill bottle on his left hand, he would "slide" up and down the strings producing a unique sound. Since many tones sung by Blues vocalists are in-between the exact scale tones, the slide guitar can reproduce those tones and capture the intonation and emotion of a singer.
In the 1970's, rock guitarist Johnny Winter collaborated on four records with Muddy.
Muddy Water's band had a tremendous impact on American music. They were the template for the modern rock and roll band. Guitar, bass, drums, and piano, enhanced with electric amplification, became the standard popular music configuration. Sidemen such as Otis Span, Little Walter, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Jerry Portnoy, and Bob Margolin became the bottom line for aspiring musicians for decades.
Muddy essentially had two careers. His original recordings in the '40s and 50's became juke box favorites and were embraced by the african-american music fan. As soul and funky music captured the fancy of his fans, his career fizzled. The 1960's brought an American folk music revival, and Muddy's music was appreciated once again. He toured regularly until his passing.
Muddy died in his sleep on April 30, 1983, at home.
