Theodore Roosevelt “Hound Dog” Taylor (April 12, 1915 - December 17, 1975) … Read Full Bio ↴Theodore Roosevelt “Hound Dog” Taylor (April 12, 1915 - December 17, 1975) was an American blues guitarist and singer. Taylor was best known for his raw vocal style and searing slide guitar, using a cheap Teisco guitar to great advantage.
Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, Mississippi-native Taylor took up the guitar when he was 20 years old. He made a few appearances on Sonny Boy Williamson's fabled KFFA King Biscuit Time radio broadcasts out of Helena, AR, before coming to Chicago in 1942. It was another 15 years before Taylor made blues his full-time vocation, though. Taylor was a favorite on the South and West sides during the late 50s and early 60s. It's generally accepted that Freddie King copped a good portion of his classic "Hide Away" from an instrumental he heard Taylor cranking out on the bandstand.
Taylor's relentlessly raucous band, the HouseRockers, consisted of only two men, though their combined racket sounded like quite a few more. Second guitarist Brewer Phillips, who often supplied buzzing pseudo-bass lines on his guitar, had developed such an empathy with Taylor that their guitars intertwined with ESP-like force, while drummer Ted Harvey kept everything moving along at a brisk pace.
Hound Dog Taylor began playing guitar when he was 20 and became a full-time musician around 1957. He wasn’t well known outside of the Chicago area until his debut album, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, with Alligator Records in 1971. The LP contained the typically rowdy Give Me Back My Wig while Taylor's first Alligator encore in 1973, Natural Boogie, boasted the hypnotic Sadie and a stomping Roll Your Moneymaker.
His fourth Alligator album, Beware of the Dog, was recorded live in 1974 but only released after his death. Hound Dog Taylor died of cancer in 1975 and was buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984.
Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, Mississippi-native Taylor took up the guitar when he was 20 years old. He made a few appearances on Sonny Boy Williamson's fabled KFFA King Biscuit Time radio broadcasts out of Helena, AR, before coming to Chicago in 1942. It was another 15 years before Taylor made blues his full-time vocation, though. Taylor was a favorite on the South and West sides during the late 50s and early 60s. It's generally accepted that Freddie King copped a good portion of his classic "Hide Away" from an instrumental he heard Taylor cranking out on the bandstand.
Taylor's relentlessly raucous band, the HouseRockers, consisted of only two men, though their combined racket sounded like quite a few more. Second guitarist Brewer Phillips, who often supplied buzzing pseudo-bass lines on his guitar, had developed such an empathy with Taylor that their guitars intertwined with ESP-like force, while drummer Ted Harvey kept everything moving along at a brisk pace.
Hound Dog Taylor began playing guitar when he was 20 and became a full-time musician around 1957. He wasn’t well known outside of the Chicago area until his debut album, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, with Alligator Records in 1971. The LP contained the typically rowdy Give Me Back My Wig while Taylor's first Alligator encore in 1973, Natural Boogie, boasted the hypnotic Sadie and a stomping Roll Your Moneymaker.
His fourth Alligator album, Beware of the Dog, was recorded live in 1974 but only released after his death. Hound Dog Taylor died of cancer in 1975 and was buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984.
Cryin' The Blues
Hound Dog Taylor & the House Rockers Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Cryin' The Blues' by these artists:
Laura Rucker CRYIN' THE BLUES Laura Rucker I woke up this morning Couldn…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Hound Dog Taylor & the House Rockers:
Ain't Got Nobody (Hound Dog Taylor) Well I ain't got nobody Im sitting here …
Buster's Boogie Buster Boogie…
It Hurts Me Too You said you was hurtin' Said you almost lost your mind Well…
Roll Your Moneymaker Roll your moneymaker, honey you really can shake her Shake y…
She's Gone Well, I know you don't love me Hey, I know the…
Sitting at Home Alone Lord, ain't it lonesome, well, when you're sitting at home…
Sitting Home Alone Lord, ain't it lonesome, well, when you're sitting at home…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Hound Dog Taylor:
Ain't Got Nobody (Hound Dog Taylor) Well I ain't got nobody Im sitting he…
Buster's Boogie Buster Boogie…
Crossroads (Robert Johnson) I was standing at the crossroad My head…
Dust My Broom (Elmore James) I'm gettin' up early mornin' I believe I'…
Freddie's Blues (Hound Dog Taylor) You know sometime boy Your just sitti…
Give Me Back My Wig (Hound Dog Taylor) Give me back my wig Honey now let you…
Gonna Send You Back to Georgia (Hound Dog Taylor) Yeah I'm gonna send you back to Georgi…
Held My Baby Last Night (Elmore James) I held my baby last night, until everything …
I Just Cant Make It (Hound Dog Taylor) Well I just can't make it Well I just…
it You said you was hurtin' Said you almost lost your mind Well…
It's Alright (Hound Dog Taylor) Yes I love ya, I love ya Woman I'm…
Kansas City (Leiber & Stoller) Going to Kansas City, Kansas City here…
Let's Get Funky (Hound Dog Taylor) Say what - I hear ya Yeah, I hear…
My Baby's Coming Home (Taylor & Eatmon) Yes I ain't worried 'bout my baby She'…
Rock Me (Traditional) Rock me baby Rock me all night long Yeah …
Roll Your Moneymaker Roll your moneymaker, honey you really can shake her Shake …
Sadie (Hound Dog Taylor) Sadie, will you come back home tonight…
She's Gone Well, I know you don't love me Hey, I know the…
Sitting At Home Alone Lord, ain't it lonesome, well, when you're sitting at home…
Take Five (Hound Dog Taylor) Chicago, Chicago babe, Chicago Chicag…
The Sun Is Shining (Elmore James) The sun is shining Oh it's always raining…
What'd I Say (Ray Charles) See the gal with the red dress on? She can…
Wild About You Baby (Elmore James) Yes I'm wild about you woman But you don'…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Enlightened Rogue
There is no way that you can listen to Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers and not move your body, or at least a part of it. God bless Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers' souls. Peace.🕊
Pedro147
True dat
Jimi Hendrix Fan
One of my alltime bluesbands. Hound Dog has been the reason for Bruce Iglauer to make his own blues label Alligator to product this powerful blues man and his music for the future generations of blues music lovers!!!!!!! Thank you very much mr.Iglauer for this great idea and all other blues musicians on your great label!!!!!!!
Jake tee
One of the greatest blues albums ever. You can almost see little kid George Thorogood getting inspired.
How Brown
Thorogood was 23 when this came out. But your point is taken, Jake.
Geoffrey Bilson
Yes, Friend if you don't me saying so. the chord/ bridging. Like it! thanks
Jesse S
@How Brown Thorogood actually was one of The Hound's roadies in the early 70's.
Derkie’s Hot Water Heater
Thorogood couldn’t hold Brewers guitar case though…..
Alexander von Preyss
If I have to prepare a lifetime trackless this album is top ten. Genuine blues, great guitars with open tunings. Great presence. Hound Dog please rock the sky
Ben Lewis
Genuine or not, it doesn't matter. The main reason why is that it's good rocking and, yes, it could've inspired AC/DC.