T-Bone Walker biography
Born: May 28, 1910, Linden, Texas
Died: March 16, 1975, Los Angeles, California
Also known as: Aaron Thibeaux Walker
Some music critics maintain that no one has ever matched T-Bone Walker’s genius as an electric blues guitarist. His extraordinary talent influenced blues and rock greats, including Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Otis Rush and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others. Walker was born into a musical family, and Texas blues legend Blind Lemon Jefferson was a family friend. As a boy Walker reportedly acted as escort to Jefferson when the blind musician played on the streets of Dallas, and was definitely influenced by Jefferson musically. Walker began his career in Texas and later moved to Los Angeles. Walker’s absolute authority with the instrument translated into precise, incendiary musicianship complemented by a confident, masterful stage presence. His ability as a vocalist was every bit as impressive, and he is the author of many blues classics, including “Stormy Monday,” which has been covered endlessly and would probably appear in any top 10 list of the best blues ever written.
Essential listening: “Stormy Monday,” “Strollin’ With Bones,” “T-Bone Shuffle,” “T-Bone Blues,” “I Walked Away,” “Cold Cold Feeling”
Stormy Monday Lyrics
They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday’s just as bad
They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday’s just as bad
Wednesday’s worse, and Thursday’s also sad
Yes the eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play
Eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play
Sunday I go to church, then I kneel down and pray
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me
Lord have mercy, my heart’s in misery
Crazy about my baby, yes, send her back to me
Who Influenced T-Bone Walker?
Walker was born into a musical family with both his parents working as musicians. He took up the guitar at age 13 but played various other stringed instruments as well. Walker’s earliest influences were Lonnie Johnson, Scrapper Blackwell, Leroy Carr, and Blind Lemon Jefferson–all advanced stylists at the time. In his early years, Walker worked as “lead boy” for Jefferson, leading the blind guitarist around the city to play for crowds and pass the hat. By the time he was 16, Walker was making enough money on his own in Dallas to become a professional, working various dances and carnivals.
T-Bone Walker’s Awards
Grammy for best ethnic or traditional recording, for Good Feelin’, 1971; Lifetime Achievement Award, Guitar Player, 1985.
Further Reading about T-Bone Walker
Books
- The Guitar Player Book, editors of Guitar Player, Grove Press, Inc., 1979.
- Guralnick, Peter, The Listener’s Guide to the Blues, Facts on File, 1982.
- Harris, Sheldon, Blues Who’s Who, Da Capo, 1979.
- Kozinn, Allan, Pete Welding, Dan Forte, and Gene Santoro, The Guitar–The History The Music The Players, Quill, 1984.
- Miller, Jim, editor, The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, Random House/Rolling Stone Press, 1976.
Periodicals
- Guitar Player, March 1977; December 1985; January 1987; December 1987; February 1988.
- Guitar World, December 1987.