Difference between revisions of "Lightnin' Hopkins" - New World Encyclopedia
m (→Life) |
m (→Legacy) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Started}}{{Contracted}} | {{Started}}{{Contracted}} | ||
| − | + | [[Image:LightningHopkins.jpg|thumb|300px|Statue in Lightin' Hopkins Park, in Crockett, Texas]] | |
| + | '''Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins''' (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was a [[country blues]] [[guitar]] musician, from [[Houston, Texas]] who became a popular recording artist on the R & B charts in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and then experienced even wider success among white audiences during the blues revival of the 1960s. | ||
| − | + | Hopkins toured widely and was a perennial favorite and folk festivals and coffee houses, even playing a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in London. His was able to create a uniquely complete sound for a solo performer, due to his dexterity on the guitar and his engaging vocal personality. He recorded more than 80 albums and is considered highly influential among the young blues musicians who went on to play in well known rock bands in the 70s and 80s. | |
| − | |||
==Life== | ==Life== | ||
| + | [[Image:Blind Lemon Jefferson.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Blind Lemon Jefferson was one of Lightnin' Hopkins major influences]] | ||
Young Sam Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, to Abe and Frances (Sims) Hopkins. Together with his mother and five siblings, little Sam moved to Leona Texas after his father died in 1915. His first instrument was a home-made guitar fashioned from a cigar box, which he got when he was eight years old. A major influence on his playing was [[Blind Lemon Jefferson]], who sometimes partnered with Hopkins' cousin, Texas Alexander, and encouraged him to to develop his talent. | Young Sam Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, to Abe and Frances (Sims) Hopkins. Together with his mother and five siblings, little Sam moved to Leona Texas after his father died in 1915. His first instrument was a home-made guitar fashioned from a cigar box, which he got when he was eight years old. A major influence on his playing was [[Blind Lemon Jefferson]], who sometimes partnered with Hopkins' cousin, Texas Alexander, and encouraged him to to develop his talent. | ||
| − | Still in his teens, Sam had already started living the bluesman's life, traveling by hitchhiking or "riding the rails" and playing for dances and parties. His marriage to Elamer Lacey, but did not endure, during the Hopkin's rambling. After a stint in prison, he returned to his musician's life in the late 1930s. | + | Still in his teens, Sam had already started living the bluesman's life, traveling by hitchhiking or "riding the rails" and playing for dances and parties. His marriage to Elamer Lacey, but did not endure, during the Hopkin's rambling. After a stint in prison, he returned to his musician's life in the late 1930s. His unique style—characterized by a driving, dampened bass line played with his thumb, punctuated by slaps, flourishes, and short leads or fills in the treble register—was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band. |
| − | When Hopkins and Alexander were playing in Houston in 1946, he was discovered by Lola Anne Cullum of [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]', [[Aladdin Records (US)|Aladdin Records]]. A piano player who backed Hopkins in the Aladdin sessions reportedly gave him the nickname Lightnin’, probably because of Hopkins nimble playing style. Hopkins' partnership with Alladin resulted more than 40 | + | When Hopkins and Alexander were playing in Houston in 1946, he was discovered by Lola Anne Cullum of [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]', [[Aladdin Records (US)|Aladdin Records]]. A piano player who backed Hopkins in the Aladdin sessions reportedly gave him the nickname Lightnin’, probably because of Hopkins nimble playing style. Hopkins' partnership with Alladin resulted more than 40 singles , but he also recorded for numerous other labels, including especially Houston's Gold Star Records. |
| − | Hopkins eventually made his home in in Houston as well, touring occasionally. In the late 40s and early 50s he recorded a large number of songs, which sold modestly well to black audience. His biggest record was “Shotgun Blues” (1950) which reached number five on the Billboard R & B chart. Among his other hits were “Short Haired Women (1947) and “Penitentiary Blues” (1959). | + | Hopkins eventually made his home in in Houston as well, touring occasionally. In the late 40s and early 50s he recorded a large number of songs, which sold modestly well to black audience. His biggest record was “Shotgun Blues” (1950) which reached number five on the Billboard R & B chart. Among his other hits were “Short Haired Women (1947) and “Penitentiary Blues” (1959). Although not a huge hit, his song His album ''Mojo Hand'' (1960) is considered a classic. |
| − | In the early 60s, Hopkins became a staple on the folk circuit, where is solo performances and engaging personality were well received. He played often at venues such as The Ash Grove in Los Angeles, Folk City in New York, and various other folk clubs. In 1964 he performed with with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall. Later he opened for such acts as the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane in San Francisco's premier rock venues. A film devoted to his music won the prize outstanding documentary prize at the [[Chicago Film Festival for in 1970]]. | + | In the early 60s, Hopkins became a staple on the folk circuit, where is solo performances and engaging personality were well received. He played often at venues such as The Ash Grove in Los Angeles, Folk City in New York, and various other folk clubs. In 1964 he performed with with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall. Later he opened for such acts as the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane in San Francisco's premier rock venues. In 1968 Hopkins recorded the [[album]] ''[[Free Form Patterns]]'' backed by [[psychedelic rock]] [[band (music)|band]] the [[13th Floor Elevators]]. A film devoted to his music won the prize outstanding documentary prize at the [[Chicago Film Festival for in 1970]]. He toured globally and recorded at least 85 albums in all. |
| + | Hopkins became less active after being injured in a car crash in 1970. However, he gave a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in the early 70s, and in 1972—partnering with Taj Majal, whom he had met earlier at L.A's Ash Grove—he worked on the soundtrack to the motion picture ''Sounder''. | ||
| − | + | His death on January 30, 1982 was due to cancer of the esophagus. At his funeral, he was mourned by more than 4,000, fans, friends, and fellow musicians. He was buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Houston. | |
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | Jimi Hendrix reportedly became interested in blues music from listening to Lightnin' Hopkins records with his father. Hopkins was a great influence on many local musicians around Houston and [[Austin, Texas]] in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as on young blues enthusiasts who attended his many concerts at folk venues nationwide. Though far from simple, his straightforward, solo style was highly accessible to young guitarists who had not yet joined bands. He was an influence on [[Jimmie Vaughan]]'s work and particularly on the vocals and blues style of [[Ron "Pigpen" McKernan]], the [[keyboardist]] of the [[Grateful Dead]] until 1972. He was also an important influence on [[Townes Van Zandt]], the Texan folk/blues [[songwriter]] and performer, who often performed Hopkins numbers in his live performances. A song named after him was recorded by [[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]] on their album ''[[Document (album)|Document]]''. [[Doyle Bramhall II]] is another Texas artist who was influenced by Hopkins, as evidenced by a tattoo of Lightning on his upper left arm. | ||
| + | In 1980 Hopkins was inducted into The Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. His Gibson J-160e guitar is on display at the [[Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame]] in Cleveland, Ohio. | ||
| − | + | In 2002 the town of Crockett, near Hopkins' birthpalce, erected a memorial statue in his honor in Lightnin’ Hopkins Park. The ''Houston Chronicle'' included Hopkins in their list of "100 Tall Texans," 100 important Texans that influenced the world. The [[George Bush Presidential Library]] and Museum included Hopkins in a "100 Tall Texans" exhibit that opened in September 2006. The display includes Lightnin's Guild Starfire electric guitar and a performance video. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Film== | ==Film== | ||
| Line 58: | Line 39: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * [http://www. | + | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcVbNaiBZCU Jam and short interview] ''youtube.com''. |
| − | * [http://www. | + | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVF-0JKLnd4 Lonesome Road Blues] ''youtube.com''. |
| − | * [http://www. | + | *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2drsTviOAI Instrumental] ''youtube.com''. |
| − | |||
{{Credit|131878140}} | {{Credit|131878140}} | ||
[[Category:History]] | [[Category:History]] | ||
Revision as of 04:48, 17 November 2007
Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was a country blues guitar musician, from Houston, Texas who became a popular recording artist on the R & B charts in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and then experienced even wider success among white audiences during the blues revival of the 1960s.
Hopkins toured widely and was a perennial favorite and folk festivals and coffee houses, even playing a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in London. His was able to create a uniquely complete sound for a solo performer, due to his dexterity on the guitar and his engaging vocal personality. He recorded more than 80 albums and is considered highly influential among the young blues musicians who went on to play in well known rock bands in the 70s and 80s.
Life
Young Sam Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, to Abe and Frances (Sims) Hopkins. Together with his mother and five siblings, little Sam moved to Leona Texas after his father died in 1915. His first instrument was a home-made guitar fashioned from a cigar box, which he got when he was eight years old. A major influence on his playing was Blind Lemon Jefferson, who sometimes partnered with Hopkins' cousin, Texas Alexander, and encouraged him to to develop his talent.
Still in his teens, Sam had already started living the bluesman's life, traveling by hitchhiking or "riding the rails" and playing for dances and parties. His marriage to Elamer Lacey, but did not endure, during the Hopkin's rambling. After a stint in prison, he returned to his musician's life in the late 1930s. His unique style—characterized by a driving, dampened bass line played with his thumb, punctuated by slaps, flourishes, and short leads or fills in the treble register—was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band.
When Hopkins and Alexander were playing in Houston in 1946, he was discovered by Lola Anne Cullum of Los Angeles', Aladdin Records. A piano player who backed Hopkins in the Aladdin sessions reportedly gave him the nickname Lightnin’, probably because of Hopkins nimble playing style. Hopkins' partnership with Alladin resulted more than 40 singles , but he also recorded for numerous other labels, including especially Houston's Gold Star Records.
Hopkins eventually made his home in in Houston as well, touring occasionally. In the late 40s and early 50s he recorded a large number of songs, which sold modestly well to black audience. His biggest record was “Shotgun Blues” (1950) which reached number five on the Billboard R & B chart. Among his other hits were “Short Haired Women (1947) and “Penitentiary Blues” (1959). Although not a huge hit, his song His album Mojo Hand (1960) is considered a classic.
In the early 60s, Hopkins became a staple on the folk circuit, where is solo performances and engaging personality were well received. He played often at venues such as The Ash Grove in Los Angeles, Folk City in New York, and various other folk clubs. In 1964 he performed with with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall. Later he opened for such acts as the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane in San Francisco's premier rock venues. In 1968 Hopkins recorded the album Free Form Patterns backed by psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators. A film devoted to his music won the prize outstanding documentary prize at the Chicago Film Festival for in 1970. He toured globally and recorded at least 85 albums in all.
Hopkins became less active after being injured in a car crash in 1970. However, he gave a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in the early 70s, and in 1972—partnering with Taj Majal, whom he had met earlier at L.A's Ash Grove—he worked on the soundtrack to the motion picture Sounder.
His death on January 30, 1982 was due to cancer of the esophagus. At his funeral, he was mourned by more than 4,000, fans, friends, and fellow musicians. He was buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.
Legacy
Jimi Hendrix reportedly became interested in blues music from listening to Lightnin' Hopkins records with his father. Hopkins was a great influence on many local musicians around Houston and Austin, Texas in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as on young blues enthusiasts who attended his many concerts at folk venues nationwide. Though far from simple, his straightforward, solo style was highly accessible to young guitarists who had not yet joined bands. He was an influence on Jimmie Vaughan's work and particularly on the vocals and blues style of Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, the keyboardist of the Grateful Dead until 1972. He was also an important influence on Townes Van Zandt, the Texan folk/blues songwriter and performer, who often performed Hopkins numbers in his live performances. A song named after him was recorded by R.E.M. on their album Document. Doyle Bramhall II is another Texas artist who was influenced by Hopkins, as evidenced by a tattoo of Lightning on his upper left arm.
In 1980 Hopkins was inducted into The Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. His Gibson J-160e guitar is on display at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 2002 the town of Crockett, near Hopkins' birthpalce, erected a memorial statue in his honor in Lightnin’ Hopkins Park. The Houston Chronicle included Hopkins in their list of "100 Tall Texans," 100 important Texans that influenced the world. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum included Hopkins in a "100 Tall Texans" exhibit that opened in September 2006. The display includes Lightnin's Guild Starfire electric guitar and a performance video.
Film
The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins (1969). Directed by Les Blank and Skip Gerson (Flower Films & Video).
As of 2006, a documentary on Hopkins is in production with Fastcut Films.
Books
- Lightnin' Hopkins Blues Guitar Legend by Dan Bowden
- Deep Down Hard Blues: Tribute to Lightnin by Sarah Ann West
External links
- Jam and short interview youtube.com.
- Lonesome Road Blues youtube.com.
- Instrumental youtube.com.
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
