On this day (January 29) in 1992, blues legend Willie Dixon died of heart failure in Burbank, California, at the age of 76. His impact on the music world is immeasurable. Dixon was one of the fathers of Chicago blues, a prolific songwriter, and a major influence on future blues artists as well as iconic rock bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
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Dixon grew up in Mississippi, where he found a love for poetry, singing, and the blues. Then, in 1936, he left his home state for Chicago, Illinois. A large man, standing roughly six and a half feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, Dixon took up boxing. He won the Illinois Golden Glove championship and had a brief professional career. A guitarist and singer named Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston trained at the same gym. When they weren’t working out, they were singing together, with Dixon singing bass.
Before long, Dixon, Caston, and Bernard Dennis were performing together as the Big Three Trio. Later, Ollie Crawford replaced Dennis. The group stayed together for around six years before dissolving. Now a solo act, Dixon began working at Chess Records, where he would leave his mark on the music world.
Willie Dixon and Chess Records
After the trio split, Willie Dixon continued playing with Baby Doo Caston. “We was right out there on Madison Street, just gigging up and down that, me and Baby Doo,” Dixon said in an interview. “He made me a tin-can bass with just one string, and I played that thing all over Chicago,” he added. “We used to jam with Muddy Waters when he first started out.”
He initially signed with Chess Records as a recording artist. However, by the early 1950s, he was a salaried employee, working as a session musician, producer, talent scout, and songwriter.
Dixon penned a long list of blues classics. For instance, he wrote “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” and “I’m Ready” for Muddy Waters. Dixon also wrote “Little Red Rooster” and “Back Door Man” for Howlin’ Wolf. Little Walter recorded “My Babe,” and the list goes on.
His songwriting output and production work helped create what is now called the Chicago Blues. This style soon caught the ears of early rock musicians, igniting a new electric blues-driven style. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin were all heavily influenced by Dixon’s work and legacy.
The Rolling Stones recorded two of Dixon’s songs for their debut album. “Little Red Rooster” brought them their second UK No. 1. They also included “I Just Want to Make Love to You” on the LP.
“The blues is actually the root of all American music,” Dixon explained. “The blues is real life,” he added. And he helped bring that music to life.
Featured Image by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
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