T-Bone Walker

Aaron Thibeaux Walker - Texas Blues Guitar Master:
Born in Texas, T-Bone Walker started on the banjo, took it to guitar, plugged in, and showed the world how to play electric guitar. He is one of the most admired and studied musicians to pick up the instrument. B.B. King gives him tall props as on of his guitar mentors, the Allman Brothers had a hit with his song, and his legacy lives in just about every time a guitartist take a solo.

Born: May 28, 1910

Died: Mar 16, 1975

Birthplace: Linden, Texas

Listen:
T-Bone Shuffle
Strollin' With Bones
Mean Old World
Stormy Monday

Among His Classics:
Stormy Monday, T-Bone Shuffle, Strollin' With Bones, and I Woke Up This Morning brought smooth to the Blues and helped establish a "west-coast" sound.

Crank It Up:
In the 1940s, Blues music plugged in to electrical amplification. Up till then, guitar players had to compete with the noise of a raging juke joint. The reason why National Steel guitars were so popular is that they were loud. With the introduction to the electric guitar, new styles of playing could be explored as the most delicate of passages could now be heard over a bawdy crowd.

Then T-Bone Came Along:
T-Bone Walker was one of the first to take advantage of this opprtunity to expand the Blues. His first instrument was the banjo, a somewhat crude begining to a career that would be noted fot it smooth sophisticated style.

Electric Guitar Pioneer:
T-Bone was from Texas and is a true Texas guitar stringer, but he is also associated with the smoother, cleaner west coast sound. He recorded in Los Angeles, hooking up with Jazz players for his sessions and band. T-Bone's music came out smoother than his contemporary Bluesmen and it hit home with Jazz players and fans.

T-Bone used to lead Blind Lemon Jeffeson around to different bars to play the Blues.

Walker's influence on today's guitar players cannot be overstated. You might think that B.B or Stevie Ray came up with those favorite licks, chances are it's T-Bone's. The way he held his guitar was unconventional for today's players. He would tip the face up, more like a lap steel, or the way jazz master Stanley Jordon plays today.

T-Bone also recorded under the name Oak Cliff T-Bone.

His vocal delivery complimented his smooth chops. The combination helped define the lighter sound Blues players were creating on the west coast. His whispy voice on Stormy Mondy has the pain of the field yet the nuance of a Jazz singer.

Walker recorded from the early 1940s until the late 1960's. He rode the wave of Blues popularity, up in the early 50s, down in the early 60s, and back up in the a late 60s revival. As with other Bluesmen like John Lee Hookerand Lightnin' Hopkins, it's almost impossible to count the number of recordings and record labels on which T-Bone appeared.

T-Bone walker died Mar 16, 1975 after complications from a stroke.