Earl Hooker (January 15, 1930 – April 21, 1970) was an American blues guita… Read Full Bio ↴Earl Hooker (January 15, 1930 – April 21, 1970) was an American blues guitarist.
Born Earl Zebedee Hooker in Quitman County, Mississippi, his impoverished family moved to Chicago, Illinois when he was still an infant. Influenced by parents and relatives who played music, he was a cousin of John Lee Hooker and began playing guitar as a teenager. An instrumentalist, within a few years Hooker put together a band that toured the United States and made some of his first recordings for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. He eventually became an important part of the Chicago blues scene. Hooker played in the American Folk Blues Festival in England in 1969. Although he never received the public recognition to the same extent as some of his contemporaries, Jimi Hendrix proclaimed Earl Hooker as the "master of the wah-wah" and his talent was greatly respected by other notable musicians such as B.B. King, Ike Turner, Junior Wells, and Buddy Guy. Hooker played slide guitar on the 1962 Muddy Waters recording, "You Shook Me." He was the only slide player on a Muddy Waters recording besides Muddy himself. Hooker also helped popularized the double-neck guitar.
Earl Hooker died at the age of 40 after a lifelong struggle against tuberculosis, which is alluded to in the title of a 1972 compilation album of his work, "There's a Fungus Among Us." He was interred in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. His story was told in a 2001 book by author Sebastian Danchin titled Earl Hooker, Blues Master.
Born Earl Zebedee Hooker in Quitman County, Mississippi, his impoverished family moved to Chicago, Illinois when he was still an infant. Influenced by parents and relatives who played music, he was a cousin of John Lee Hooker and began playing guitar as a teenager. An instrumentalist, within a few years Hooker put together a band that toured the United States and made some of his first recordings for Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. He eventually became an important part of the Chicago blues scene. Hooker played in the American Folk Blues Festival in England in 1969. Although he never received the public recognition to the same extent as some of his contemporaries, Jimi Hendrix proclaimed Earl Hooker as the "master of the wah-wah" and his talent was greatly respected by other notable musicians such as B.B. King, Ike Turner, Junior Wells, and Buddy Guy. Hooker played slide guitar on the 1962 Muddy Waters recording, "You Shook Me." He was the only slide player on a Muddy Waters recording besides Muddy himself. Hooker also helped popularized the double-neck guitar.
Earl Hooker died at the age of 40 after a lifelong struggle against tuberculosis, which is alluded to in the title of a 1972 compilation album of his work, "There's a Fungus Among Us." He was interred in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. His story was told in a 2001 book by author Sebastian Danchin titled Earl Hooker, Blues Master.
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Mr. Hooker, that blues guitar player whose soul you recognize. Long live Earl Hooker!! 🔥🎸🎶
Joe Nania
I agree - yes sir - I hear some guitar tones - drumming and bass riffs that the 1960s English band The CREAM stole from this trio -
Chuck Potocki Music
During this time, Hooker was sick with TB, which dogged him for most of his life; but you really wouldn't know it, because he played so well. He just never got himself completely cured; he would tour relentlessly in the Delta then up around Chicago until he'd have to be hospitalized, and then discharge himself when he would feel better enough to get on his feet, and just repeat this cycle over and over until he died. Very ironic, because he was only just starting to get known at the time of his death. R.I.P. Earl Zebedee Hooker...1929-1970 🎸
Anthony Moore
Yeah he looks unhealthy. Maybe the music kept him alive.
Joanne Beauchamp
Good gawd...Could Earl play! He literally attacked that guitar, and STILL made it sound melodic!
Max Munzert
Earl is incridible but also hat a ripping rhythm section! These guys are in it in this video
Daryl Rosevear
Wow, awesome in every way, hats off to the camera work as well, sharp as the licks !!
David Burton
I love that at 2:55 he had to give his guitar a break from such an intense beating lol
Jonathan Orleyi
The bass player shuffling at 1:10 - this video is so bloody great
Roger Fournier
Earl Hooker, top guitar player of all time.