Aaron Thibeaux “T-Bone” Walker is widely acknowledged as the father of electric blues guitar, the first bluesman of note to not only amplify his guitar but to elevate its role as a solo instrument within a band context. His sophisticated single-string solos and distinctive chording influenced nearly every modern blues guitarist who followed, including all the Kings (B.B., Albert, and Freddie), Little Milton, Gatemouth Brown and a host of Texas and West Coast pickers, and even distortion pioneers Pat Hare and Willie Johnson. In his day Walker was also hailed for his singing, dancing, and showmanship, which included acrobatics such as playing the guitar behind his head and doing the splits. Born May 28, 1910, in Linden, Texas, Walker began performing in Dallas and toured as both a musician and dancer with various bands and revues. His recording career took off after he moved to California, where he cut “I Got a Break Baby” and “Mean Old World” for the brand new Capitol label in 1942. After a historic stint at the Rhumboogie club in Chicago during World War II, Walker emerged as one of the top stars on the national “race” charts with a series of hits for the Los Angeles-based Black & White and Comet labels, most notably the original version of “Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad),” which became a staple in the repertoires of countless blues, R&B, jazz and rock bands. Walker continued to record top-notch material and many of his subsequent songs were picked up by other blues guitarists, but none of his records, even his fine sides for Imperial, ever hit the charts after 1950. Health problems hampered his career although he was still giving masterful performances in the 1970s. Walker died in Los Angeles on March 16, 1975.
— Jim O’Neal
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