He was helping Blind Lemon Jefferson around when he was just 8 years old, played with his cousin, Texas Alexander in his teens, recorded more Blues of any man alive, except for maybe John Lee Hooker, and had a Blues career that spanned 60 years.
March 15, 1912
January 30, 1982
Centerville, Texas
Trouble In Mind, Katie Mae, Can't Do You Like I Used To Do, See See Rider, and Lightnin's Boogie might not exactly ring a bell to the average listener, but to Blues fans, these songs have become revered "lowdown" standards.
He first became nationwide after WW II but fizzled in the '50's with the advent of Rock and Roll. He came back during the '60's Folk Movement with his ultra-real Country Blues sound. A 1965 release on Arthoolie Records with Barbara Dare is one of the only available recordings of the kind of spontaneous exchange between people that the Blues was meant to be.
He recorded for at least 22 record labels. An insistent "one-take-wonder" in the studio, he could crank out recordings at a blistering pace.
Hopkins and his two brothers, John Henry and Joel, were Bluesman from the start. All went on to recording careers.
Lightnin's voice and guitar helped define Texas Blues.
Lightnin' came from a world of acoustic music, but he jumped right in to a new sound when the Blues went electric, only to return to his country roots at the end of his career.
He was famous for his spontaneous delivery and his ability to go with each performance's unique flow.
Lightnin' died of cancer in 1982.
