Dixon, Willie

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{{epname|Dixon, Willie}}
 
{{Infobox musical artist  
 
{{Infobox musical artist  
| Name               = Willie Dixon
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| Name       = Willie Dixon
| Img                 = Willie Dixon.jpg
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| Img         =  
| Img_capt           = Willie Dixon's style of [[blues]] was one of the inspirations for a new generation of music, [[rock and roll]].
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| Img_capt     =  
| Img_size           =  
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| Img_size     =  
| Landscape           =  
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| Landscape     =  
| Birth_name         = William James Dixon
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| Birth_name     = William James Dixon
| Alias               =  
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| Alias       =  
| Background         = solo_singer
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| Background     = solo_singer
| Born               = {{birth date|1915|7|1}}<br/>[[Vicksburg, Mississippi]], [[United States]]
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| Born       = {{birth date|1915|7|1}}<br/>[[Vicksburg, Mississippi]], [[United States]]
| Died               = {{death date and age|1992|1|29|1915|7|1}}<br/>[[Burbank, California]], [[United States]]
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| Died       = {{death date and age|1992|1|29|1915|7|1}}<br/>[[Burbank, California]], [[United States]]
| Origin             = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]
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| Origin       = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]
| Instrument         = [[Double bass]], [[guitar]]
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| Instrument     = [[Double bass]], [[guitar]]
| Genre               = [[Blues]]
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| Genre       = [[Blues]]
| Occupation         =  
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| Occupation     =  
| Years_active       =  
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| Years_active   =  
| Label               = [[Chess Records|Chess]]
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| Label       = [[Chess Records|Chess]]
| Associated_acts     =  
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| Associated_acts   =  
| URL                 = www.bluesheaven.com
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| URL         = www.bluesheaven.com
 
| Notable_instruments =  
 
| Notable_instruments =  
 
}}
 
}}
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'''William James "Willie" Dixon''' (July 1, 1915 &ndash; January 29, 1992) was an [[United States|American]] [[blues]] [[singing|singer]]-[[songwriter]], many of whose songs became classics of the [[Chicago blues]] [[musical genre|genre]] and were later covered by major [[rock and roll]] artists. He was also a noted bassist, [[arranger]], and [[record producer]] for Chicago's premier blues label, [[Chess Records]], in its heyday during the 1950s and early 1960s.
  
'''William James "Willie" Dixon''' (July 1, 1915 &ndash; January 29, 1992) was a [[United States|American]] [[blues]] [[singing|singer]]-[[songwriter]], many of whose songs  became classics of the [[Chicago blues]] [[musical genre|genre]]. He was also a noted bassist, [[arranger]], and [[record producer]] for Chicago's premier blues label, [[Chess Records]], in its heyday during the 1950s and early 60s.
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Dixon wrote such blues hits as "[[Little Red Rooster]]," "Big Boss Man," "[[Spoonful]]," "[[Back Door Man]]," "[[I Just Want to Make Love to You]]," "[[My Babe]]," "[[Wang Dang Doodle]]," "[[Hoochie Coochie Man]]," and "[[Bring It on Home]]." His songs were performed by blues greats like [[Muddy Waters]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Jimmy Reed]], and [[Little Walter]]. He also influenced a generation of younger musicians who later recorded his songs, including [[Sam Cooke]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Otis Redding]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[The Doors]], [[The Animals]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[The Yardbirds]], the [[Grateful Dead]] and many others.
 
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{{toc}}
Dixon wrote such blues hits as "[[Little Red Rooster]]," "[[Hoochie Coochie Man]]," "[[Evil (Howlin' Wolf song)|Evil]]," "[[Spoonful]]," "[[Back Door Man]]," "[[I Just Want to Make Love to You]]," "[[I Ain't Superstitious]]," "[[My Babe]]," "[[Wang Dang Doodle]]," and "[[Bring It on Home]]," performed by [[Muddy Waters]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], and [[Little Walter]], and covered by countless others. His songs also greatly influenced a generation of younger musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Bob Dylan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and many others.
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Dixon also formed a direct link between the blues and [[rock and roll]] by working with rock artists like [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Bo Diddley]] in their early years. Next to Muddy Waters, he is considered the most influential shaper of the post-[[World War II]] sound of the [[Chicago blues]] and is thought by some to be the most important blues songwriter in history.
 
 
Dixon also formed a direct link between the blues and [[rock and roll]] by working with early rock artists like [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Bo Diddley]] in the late 50s. Next to Muddy Waters, he is considered the most influential person in shaping the post-World War II sound of the [[Chicago blues]].
 
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
 
===Early life===
 
===Early life===
Dixon was born in [[Vicksburg, Mississippi]] on July 1, 1915. His mother, Daisy, often created [[rhyme]]s during casual conversation, a habit Dixon learned to imitate. At the age of seven, he became an admirer of a band that featured blues pianist [[Little Brother Montgomery]]. Dixon was further introduced to [[blues]] when he served time on prison farms in Mississippi as an early-teenager. He learned how to sing harmony as a teen as well, from a local carpenter named Leo Phelps. Dixon sang [[bass (vocal range)|bass]] in Phelps' group, the Jubilee Singers, a local [[gospel music|gospel]] quartet that regularly appeared on the Vicksburg radio station WQBC. Around this time Dixon began experimenting with songwriting by adapting [[poem]]s he had written into [[song]]s, and even able to sell some of them to local music groups.  
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Dixon was born in [[Vicksburg, Mississippi]] on July 1, 1915. His mother, Daisy, often created [[rhyme]]s during casual conversation, a habit Dixon learned to imitate. At the age of seven, he became an admirer of a band that featured blues pianist [[Little Brother Montgomery]]. Dixon was further introduced to the [[blues]] when he served time on prison farms in [[Mississippi]] as an early-teenager. He also learned how to sing harmony from a local [[carpenter]] named Leo Phelps. Dixon sang [[bass (vocal range)|bass]] in Phelps' group, the Jubilee Singers, a local [[gospel music|gospel]] quartet that regularly appeared on the Vicksburg radio station WQBC. Around this time Dixon began experimenting with songwriting by adapting [[poem]]s he had written into [[song]]s, and was even able to sell some of them to local music groups.  
  
Dixon left Mississippi for [[Chicago]] in 1936. A man of considerable stature, at 6 feet six inches tall and weighing over 250 pounds, he took up [[boxing]]. He showed considerable talent in the sport, winning the Illinois State [[Golden Gloves]] Heavyweight Championship (Novice Division) in 1937. Dixon soon turned professional as a boxer and worked briefly as [[Joe Louis]]' sparring partner. After four pro fights, however, Dixon abandoned the boxing business after quarreling with his manager over a question of money.
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Dixon left Mississippi for [[Chicago]] in 1936. A man of impressive stature at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing over 250 pounds, he took up [[boxing]]. He showed considerable talent in the sport, winning the Illinois State [[Golden Gloves]] heavyweight championship (novice division) in 1937. Dixon then turned professional as a boxer and worked briefly as [[Joe Louis]]' sparring partner. After four pro fights, however, he abandoned the boxing business due to a quarrel with his manager over a question of money.
  
At the boxing [[gym]], Dixon met by fellow singer Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston with whom he would occasionally harmonize and helped him become serious about music as a career. He performed in several vocal groups in Chicago, and Caston built him his first [[Bass (instrument)|bass]], made of a [[tin can]] and one string. He also learned the [[guitar]].
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At the boxing [[gym]], Dixon was met by fellow singer Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston, who helped him become serious about music as a career. Dixon sang in several vocal groups in Chicago, and Caston built him his first [[Bass (instrument)|bass]], made of a [[tin can]] and one string. Dixon also learned the [[guitar]].
  
 
===Career===
 
===Career===
Dixon began performing around Chicago and with Baby Doo, who played the piano. Together they help form the Five Breezes, a group that blended blues and [[jazz]], emphasizing vocal harmonies. Dixon's progress in learning to play the bass was halted when he resisted [[the draft]] during [[World War II]] as a [[conscientious objector]] and was imprisoned for ten months. After the war, he briefly formed the Four Jumps of Jive and then reunited with Caston, forming the Big Three Trio, who went on to record for [[Columbia Records]].  
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In Chicago, Dixon and Caston helped form the Five Breezes, a group that blended blues and [[jazz]], emphasizing vocal harmonies. Dixon's progress in learning to play the bass was halted when he was imprisoned for ten months after resisting [[the draft]] during [[World War II]]. After the war, he briefly formed the Four Jumps of Jive and then reunited with Caston to create the Big Three Trio, which went on to record briefly for [[Columbia Records]].
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Dixon first signed with [[Chess Records]] in 1948 as a [[recording artist]], but soon began working at the [[record label|label]] as a producer and arranger. By 1951, he was a full-time employee at Chess, where he acted as [[record producer|producer]], talent scout, [[session musician]] on the bass, arranger, and staff [[songwriter]]. Although his relationship with the label was sometimes strained, he remained with Chess through the early 1960s. During this time his output and influence was prodigious.
  
Dixon first signed with [[Chess Records]] in 1948 as a [[recording artist]], but soon began concentrating on working at the [[record label|label]] as a producer and arranger. By 1951, he was a full time employee at Chess where he acted as [[record producer|producer]], talent scout, [[session musician]], arranger, and staff [[songwriter]]. Although his relationship with the label was sometimes strained, he remained with Chess through the  early 60s. During this time his output and influence was prodigious.
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The artists with whom Dixon worked reads like a ''Who's Who'' of the Chicago blues world, including such greats as [[Muddy Waters]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Otis Rush]], [[Little Walter]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Koko Taylor]], [[Little Milton]], [[Jimmy Witherspoon]], [[Lowell Fulson]], [[Memphis Slim]], [[Buddy Guy]], and [[Washboard Sam]]. He also appears on many of [[Chuck Berry]]'s early recordings and worked with [[Bo Diddley]] during the same period, forming a direct link between blues and early [[rock and roll]].
  
The artists with whom Dixon worked reads like a Who's Who of the Chicago Blues world, including such greats as  [[Chuck Berry]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Otis Rush]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Little Walter]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Koko Taylor]], [[Little Milton]], [[Eddie Boyd]], [[Jimmy Witherspoon]], [[Lowell Fulson]], [[Willie Mabon]], [[Memphis Slim]], [[Washboard Sam]], [[Jimmy Rogers]], and others. His [[bass]] playing was of a high standard.  
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Dixon had a unique gift for refurbishing traditional blues motifs. Even though many of his songs follow traditional 12-bar blues patterns, they are highly varied and rarely monotonous, featuring memorable "hooks" and bridges, demonstrating his sophistication as an arranger, yet remaining true to the authentic blues form. He also showed a flare as a lyricist, from the party chatter of "Wang Dang Doogle" to the humorous complaint of "Big Boss Man" and the melancholy lament of a man plagued by sexual impotence in "Little Red Rooster." So successful was his songwriting career that it was hardly an exaggeration when he boasted "I am the blues!"
  
Dixon had a unique gift for refurbishing traditional Southern blues motifs[[United Kingdom|British]] [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] [[band (music)|bands]] of the 1960s constantly drew on the Dixon songbook for inspiration. Even though many of his follow traditional 12-bar blues patterns, they are rarely monotonous, featuring memorable "hooks" and bridges and reveal his sophistication as an arranger, yet remain true to the authentic blues form. He also showed a real flare as a lyricist, from the party chatter of "Wang Dang Doogle" to the melancholy lament of a man plagued by sexual impotence in "Little Red Rooster." So successful was his songwriting career that it was hardly an exaggeration when he boasted "I am the blues!" He also appears on many of Chuck Berry's early recordings and also worked with Bo Diddley during the same period.
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In the early 1960s, many of the young blues-oriented groups in Britain began playing and recording Dixon's songs. In December 1964, [[The Rolling Stones]] reached [[chart-topper|number one]] on the [[UK Singles Chart]] with their cover version of "[[Little Red Rooster]]." [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[The Animals]], and [[Eric Clapton]] also covered many of his songs. In the US, [[The Doors]] had a hit with his "Back Door Man," a song originally written for Howlin' Wolf. [[The Lovin' Spoonful]] took their name from the Dixon song "Spoonful," which likewise had been a hit for Wolf. Otis Redding's "Pain in My Heart" was also penned by Dixon, as was Captain Beefheart's "Ditty Wah Ditty."
  
In December 1964, [[The Rolling Stones]] reached [[chart-topper|#1]] on the [[UK Singles Chart]] with their cover version of  "[[Little Red Rooster]]." The Lovin' Spoonful took their name from the Dixon song "Spoonful," which had been a hit for Howlin' Wolf. Cream and Eric Clapton covered many of his songs, and The Doors had a hit with his "Back Door Man," another song originally written for Howlin' Wolf. In the late 60s, as the blues revival reached full swing, Dixon put together several all-star, Chicago based blues ensembles for work in Europe.
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In the late 1960s, as the blues revival reached full swing, Dixon put together several all-star Chicago-based blues ensembles for work in [[Europe]]. He also had a modest success as a performing artist himself as he played at folk venues and blues festivals throughout the US and Europe, often performing with pianist [[Memphis Slim]]. His health deteriorated in the 1970s and 1980s due to long-term [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], and one leg eventually had to be [[amputation|amputated]].
  
Dixon also had a modest success as a performing artist again during the late 60s and early 70s, when he played and folk venues and blues festival throughout the US and Europe. His health deteriorated in the 70s and 80s, due to long-term [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], and one leg eventually had to be [[amputation|amputated]].
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Dixon died of [[heart failure]] in Burbank, [[California]] on January 29, 1992, at 77 years of age, and was buried in the [[Burr Oak Cemetery and Restvale Cemetery|Burr Oak Cemetery]] in [[Alsip, Illinois]].
  
===Death and afterward===
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==Legacy==
Dixon died of [[heart failure]]<ref name="dead rock stars">[http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/1992.html Dead Rock Stars Club entry - accessed February 2008]</ref> in [[Burbank, California]] on January 29, 1992<ref name="amg"/> and was buried in the [[Burr Oak Cemetery and Restvale Cemetery|Burr Oak Cemetery]] in [[Alsip, Illinois]].
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Willie Dixon is considered by many to be the greatest blues songwriter in history. Together with [[Muddy Waters]] and other Chicago bluesmen, he was one of the main creators of the [[Chicago blues]] sound which interpreted [[Mississippi Delta]] blues in an urban setting in the context of the contemporary [[R & B]] market of the time.
  
Dixon was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in the "early influences" (pre-rock) category in 1994.<ref>Rule Sheila (January 20, 1994). "[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E1D91430F933A15752C0A962958260 Rock Greats Hail, Hail Their Own At Spirited Hall of Fame Ceremony]." ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved on February 17, 2008.</ref> As the songlist below demonstrates, his work was covered by a varied range of artists, from [[the blues]], to modern day [[rock music]] practitioners.
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Dixon was inducted into the [[Blues Hall of Fame]] in 1980 at its inaugural session. He also won a [[Grammy Award]] in [[Grammy Awards of 1989|1989]] for his album, ''Hidden Charms''.
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He was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in the "early influences" (pre-rock) category in 1994. His song "Hoochie Coochie Man" is listed among ''Rolling Stone Magazine'''s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
  
Actor and comedian [[Cedric the Entertainer]] will portray Dixon in ''[[Cadillac Records]]'', a film based on the life of [[Leonard Chess]], played by [[Adrien Brody]]. The film, set in 1950s Chicago, will also feature [[Beyoncé]] as [[Etta James]], and [[Jeffrey Wright]] as [[Muddy Waters]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN2235591420080122 Brody, Wright join musical Chess club]</ref><ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN1216708520080212 Alessandro Nivola to play blues mogul in "Chess"]</ref>
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Dixon's work was covered by a varied range of artists, from [[the blues]] and jazz to modern day [[rock music]] and [[R & B]] practitioners. In addition to his classic blues hits, he was also the composer of such popular classics as "Pain In My Heart" ([[Otis Redding]]), "Diddy Wah Diddy" ([[Captain Beefheart]]), "The Seventh Son" ([[Mose Allison]]), and "You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At Its Cover" (Bo Diddley). [[Led Zeppelin]]'s hit "[[Whole Lotta Love]]" and was based on Dixon's "You Need Love," and the [[Righteous' Brothers]]' "My Babe" was a remake of the Dixon song of the same name, which had been a hit for [[Little Walter]].
  
==Songs==
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Actor and comedian [[Cedric the Entertainer]] portrayed Dixon in the 2008 feature film ''[[Cadillac Records]]'', based on the life of [[Leonard Chess]] and featuring [[Beyoncé]] as [[Etta James]] and [[Jeffrey Wright]] as [[Muddy Waters]].
He wrote many famous [[blues]] [[song]]s, usually producing and playing [[double bass]] when they were first recorded. Some of these, and the extensive subsequent [[cover version|covers]], include:
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===Selected songs===
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Dixon wrote many famous [[blues]] [[song]]s for the great artists of the Chicago blues genre, often producing the records and playing [[double bass]] when they were first recorded. Many of his songs were later covered by second-generation blues and rock artists. Some of his better known songs include:
  
 
*"29 Ways" &ndash; [[Marc Cohn]], Willie Dixon, [[The Blues Band]]
 
*"29 Ways" &ndash; [[Marc Cohn]], Willie Dixon, [[The Blues Band]]
*"300 Pounds Of Joy" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] & [[Jools Holland]]
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*"300 Pounds Of Joy" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] and [[Jools Holland]]
 
*"After Five Long Years" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"After Five Long Years" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"As Long as I Have You" &ndash; [[Led Zeppelin]]
 
*"As Long as I Have You" &ndash; [[Led Zeppelin]]
*"[[Back Door Man]]"<ref name="dead rock stars"/> &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[The Doors]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Bob Weir]]
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*"[[Back Door Man]]" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[The Doors]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Bob Weir]]
 
*"Big Boss Man" &ndash; [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[The Animals]], [[The Grateful Dead]]
 
*"Big Boss Man" &ndash; [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[The Animals]], [[The Grateful Dead]]
 
*"[[Bring It on Home]]" &ndash; [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Dread Zeppelin]], [[Johnny Thunders]]
 
*"[[Bring It on Home]]" &ndash; [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Dread Zeppelin]], [[Johnny Thunders]]
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*"Flamin' Mamie" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Flamin' Mamie" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Help Me" &ndash; [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
 
*"Help Me" &ndash; [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
*"Gone Daddy Gone" - the [[Violent Femmes]]' [[Gordon Gano]] incorporated elements of "I Just Want To Make Love To You" into his track; the former was later covered by [[Gnarls Barkley]]
 
 
*"Grave Digger Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Grave Digger Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Groanin' the Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Eric Clapton]]
 
*"Groanin' the Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Eric Clapton]]
 
*"Hidden Charms" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Link Wray]]
 
*"Hidden Charms" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Link Wray]]
*"[[Hoochie Coochie Man]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Eric Burdon]], [[The Nashville Teens]], [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]], [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[Alexis Korner]], [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Motörhead]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Jeff Healey]], [[Manfred Mann]]
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*"[[Hoochie Coochie Man]]" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Eric Burdon]], [[The Nashville Teens]], [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]], [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[Alexis Korner]], [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Motörhead]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Jeff Healey]], [[Manfred Mann]]
 
*"Howlin' For My Baby" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[George Thorogood]]
 
*"Howlin' For My Baby" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[George Thorogood]]
 
*"[[I Ain't Superstitious]]" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Megadeth]], [[The Jeff Beck Group]], [[Chris Spedding]]  
 
*"[[I Ain't Superstitious]]" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Megadeth]], [[The Jeff Beck Group]], [[Chris Spedding]]  
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*"If the Sea Was Whiskey" &ndash; [[Chris Thile]]
 
*"If the Sea Was Whiskey" &ndash; [[Chris Thile]]
 
*"I Got What It Takes" &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]]
 
*"I Got What It Takes" &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]]
*"[[I Just Want to Make Love to You|I Just Want To Make Love To You]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[The Animals]], [[The Kinks]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Mungo Jerry]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Foghat]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Etta James]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Paul Rodgers]], [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]], [[April Wine]], [[Robben Ford]], [[Meat Puppets]], [[Cold Sweat]]
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*"[[I Just Want to Make Love to You|I Just Want To Make Love To You]]" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[The Animals]], [[The Kinks]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Mungo Jerry]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Foghat]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Etta James]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Paul Rodgers]], [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]], [[April Wine]], [[Robben Ford]], [[Meat Puppets]], [[Cold Sweat]]
 
*"I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[Willie Nelson]]
 
*"I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[Willie Nelson]]
*"[[I'm Ready (Blues song)|I'm Ready]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[Humble Pie (band)|Humble Pie]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Long John Baldry]], [[Eric Burdon]], [[George Thorogood]], [[Albert King]]
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*"[[I'm Ready (Blues song)|I'm Ready]]" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], [[Humble Pie (band)|Humble Pie]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Long John Baldry]], [[Eric Burdon]], [[George Thorogood]], [[Albert King]]
*"Insane Asylum" &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]], Kathy McDonald and [[Sly Stone]], [[Diamanda Galás]], [[Asylum Street Spankers]], [[The Detroit Cobras]], [[Oxbow (band)|Oxbow]] feat. [[Marianne Faithful]]
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*"Insane Asylum" &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]], Kathy McDonald and [[Sly Stone]], [[Diamanda Galás]], [[Asylum Street Spankers]], [[The Detroit Cobras]], [[Oxbow (band)|Oxbow]] feat, [[Marianne Faithful]]
 
*"I Don't Play" &ndash; [[Robben Ford]]
 
*"I Don't Play" &ndash; [[Robben Ford]]
 
*"I Got My Brand on You" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
 
*"I Got My Brand on You" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
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*"Let Me Love You Baby" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[B. B. King]]
 
*"Let Me Love You Baby" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[B. B. King]]
 
*"Little Baby" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], The Rolling Stones
 
*"Little Baby" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], The Rolling Stones
*"[[Little Red Rooster]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Sam Cooke]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[The Doors]], [[Luther Allison]], [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]], [[Big Mama Thornton]], [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]]
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*"[[Little Red Rooster]]" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Sam Cooke]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Yardbirds]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[The Doors]], [[Luther Allison]], [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]], [[Big Mama Thornton]], [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]]
 
*"Love, Life & Money" &ndash; [[Johnny Winter]]
 
*"Love, Life & Money" &ndash; [[Johnny Winter]]
 
*"Mellow Down Easy" &ndash; [[Little Walter]] & His Jukes, [[Paul Butterfield]] Blues Band, [[The Black Crowes]], [[Carey Bell]], [[ZZ Top]], [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Holly Golightly]]
 
*"Mellow Down Easy" &ndash; [[Little Walter]] & His Jukes, [[Paul Butterfield]] Blues Band, [[The Black Crowes]], [[Carey Bell]], [[ZZ Top]], [[Jimmy Reed]], [[Holly Golightly]]
 
*"Million Dollar Baby" &ndash; [[Dizzy Gillespie]]
 
*"Million Dollar Baby" &ndash; [[Dizzy Gillespie]]
*"[[My Babe]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Little Walter]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[The Everly Brothers]], [[Spencer Davis Group]], [[John P. Hammond]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[Othar Turner]] & The Rising Star Fire and Drum Band
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*"[[My Babe]]" &ndash; [[Little Walter]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[The Everly Brothers]], [[Spencer Davis Group]], [[John P. Hammond]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[Othar Turner]] & The Rising Star Fire and Drum Band
 
*"My Baby's Sweeter" &ndash; [[Little Walter]], [[Fleetwood Mac]]
 
*"My Baby's Sweeter" &ndash; [[Little Walter]], [[Fleetwood Mac]]
 
*"My Captain" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
 
*"My Captain" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
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*"Pretty Thing" &ndash; [[Bo Diddley]], [[Pretty Things]], [[Canned Heat]]  
 
*"Pretty Thing" &ndash; [[Bo Diddley]], [[Pretty Things]], [[Canned Heat]]  
 
*"[[The Seventh Son|Seventh Son]]" &ndash; [[Willie Mabon]], [[Mose Allison]], [[Bill Haley]], [[Johnny Rivers]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Climax Blues Band]], [[Long John Baldry]]
 
*"[[The Seventh Son|Seventh Son]]" &ndash; [[Willie Mabon]], [[Mose Allison]], [[Bill Haley]], [[Johnny Rivers]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Climax Blues Band]], [[Long John Baldry]]
*"Same Thing" &ndash; [[The Band]]
 
 
*"Sin And City" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]]
 
*"Sin And City" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]]
*"Shake For Me" &ndash; [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]]
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*"Shake For Me" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]]
 
*"Sit and Cry (The Blues)" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]] (co-written with Buddy Guy)
 
*"Sit and Cry (The Blues)" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]] (co-written with Buddy Guy)
*"[[Spoonful]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]], [[Paul Butterfield]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Canned Heat]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Ten Years After]], [[The Who]], [[Etta James]] [[Salty Dog]]
+
*"[[Spoonful]]" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Muddy Waters]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[Shadows of Knight]], [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]], [[Paul Butterfield]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Canned Heat]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Ten Years After]], [[The Who]], [[Etta James]], [[Salty Dog]]
 
*"Study War No More" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Study War No More" &ndash; Willie Dixon
*"The Same Thing" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[George Thorogood]], [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[Sue Foley]], [[Marc Ford]], [[Grateful Dead]]
+
*"The Same Thing" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[George Thorogood]], [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[Sue Foley]], [[The Band]], [[Marc Ford]], [[Grateful Dead]]
 
*"[[The Seventh Son]]" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"[[The Seventh Son]]" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Study No More" &ndash; Willie Dixon
 
*"Study No More" &ndash; Willie Dixon
Line 137: Line 141:
 
*"Violent Love" &ndash; [[Otis Rush]], [[The Big Three]], [[Oingo Boingo]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]]
 
*"Violent Love" &ndash; [[Otis Rush]], [[The Big Three]], [[Oingo Boingo]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]]
 
*"Walkin' The Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Muddy Waters]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[John Kay (musician)|John Kay]]
 
*"Walkin' The Blues" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Muddy Waters]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[John Kay (musician)|John Kay]]
*"[[Wang Dang Doodle]]"<ref name="russell"/> &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Savoy Brown]], [[Box Tops]], [[PJ Harvey]], [[Rufus Thomas]], [[Pointer Sisters|The Pointer Sisters]], [[The Blues Band]], [[Widespread Panic]]
+
*"[[Wang Dang Doodle]]" &ndash; [[Koko Taylor]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Savoy Brown]], [[Box Tops]], [[PJ Harvey]], [[Rufus Thomas]], [[Pointer Sisters|The Pointer Sisters]], [[The Blues Band]], [[Widespread Panic]]
 
*"Weak Brain, Narrow Mind" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Widespread Panic]]
 
*"Weak Brain, Narrow Mind" &ndash; Willie Dixon, [[Widespread Panic]]
 
*"When My Left Eye Jumps" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]]
 
*"When My Left Eye Jumps" &ndash; [[Buddy Guy]]
Line 148: Line 152:
 
*"You'll Be Mine" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]]
 
*"You'll Be Mine" &ndash; [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]]
 
*"You Need Love" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
 
*"You Need Love" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
*:"[[Whole Lotta Love]]" &ndash; [[Led Zeppelin]]. Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" was appropriated, without credit, from Dixon's "You Need Love." Although the main guitar riff was composed by [[Jimmy Page]] himself, [[Robert Plant]] based the lyrics on Dixon's song. Dixon and his [[Music publisher (popular music)|music publisher]] received credit and [[royalties]], after a 1985 [[lawsuit]] was settled out of [[court]].  
+
*"[[Whole Lotta Love]]" &ndash; [[Led Zeppelin]], based on Dixon's "You Need Love." Dixon and his [[Music publisher (popular music)|music publisher]] received credit and [[royalties]], after a 1985 [[lawsuit]] was settled out of [[court]].  
*:"You Need Loving" recorded by [[The Small Faces]] in 1965, is another uncredited loose version of the song
+
*"[[You Shook Me]]"&ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[Jeff Beck|Jeff Beck Group]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Dread Zeppelin]]
*"[[You Shook Me]]"<ref name="dead rock stars"/> &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]], Willie Dixon, [[Jeff Beck|Jeff Beck Group]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Dread Zeppelin]]
 
 
*"Young Fashioned Ways" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
 
*"Young Fashioned Ways" &ndash; [[Muddy Waters]]
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}
 
 
==Tributes==
 
* [[French people|French]] [[singer-songwriter]], [[Francis Cabrel]], refers to Dixon in the song "Cent Ans de Plus" on his 1999 album, ''Hors-Saison''. Cabrel cites the artist as one of a number of blues influences, including [[Charley Patton]], [[Son House]], [[Blind Lemon]], [[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[Blind Blake]] and [[Ma Rainey]].
 
* [[Canadian people|Canadian]] [[rock music|rock]] [[musician]], [[Tom Cochrane]], wrote a song entitled "Willie Dixon Said" that appeared on his 1999 [[album]], ''[[X-Ray Sierra]]''.
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
* [[List of blues musicians]]
+
* [[Blues]]
* [[Chicago Blues Festival]]
+
* [[Chicago blues]]
* [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees]]
 
* [[Boogie-woogie]]
 
 
 
==Notes==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
* Dixon, Willie; &  Snowden, Don (1990). ''I Am the Blues: The Willie Dixon Story''. [[Da Capo Press]]. ISBN 0704302535
+
* Dixon, Willie, and Don Snowden. ''I Am the Blues: The Willie Dixon Story''. New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press, 1989. ISBN 9780306804151
* Dixon, Willie (1992). ''Willie Dixon - Master Blues Composer: With Notes and Tablature''. [[Hal Leonard]]. ISBN 0793503051
+
*Rowe, Mike. ''Chicago Blues: The City & the Music''. New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press, 1975. ISBN 9780306801457
* Dixon, Willie (2003). ''I Am The Blues''. ([[DVD]])
+
*Taft, Michael. ''Blues Lyric Poetry: An Anthology''. Garland reference library of the humanities, vol. 361. New York: Garland Pub, 1983. ISBN 9780824092351
* Snowden, Don (1997). "Willie Dixon." In ''The Chess Box'' [CD booklet]. [[MCA Records|MCA Records, Inc.]]
+
*Titon, Jeff Todd.'' Downhome Blues Lyrics: An Anthology from the Post-World War II Era''. Boston, MA.: Twayne Publishers, 1981. ISBN 9780805794519
 +
*Zollo, Paul. ''Songwriters on Songwriting''. New York: Da Capo Press, 2003. ISBN 9780306812651
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
*{{Allmusic|11:fifexq95ldke}}
+
All links retrieved October 10, 2020.
*{{Imdb|0229006}}
+
*[http://rockhall.com/inductees/willie-dixon/ Willie Dixon] at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
*{{Find A Grave|id=4156}}
 
*[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/willie-dixon Willie Dixon] at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
 
*[http://shs.starkville.k12.ms.us/mswm/MSWritersAndMusicians/musicians/Dixon.html Willie Dixon, Mississippi blues musician]. The Mississippi Writers and Musicians Project of [[Starkville High School]].
 
 
 
{{Blues}}
 
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dixon, Willie}}
 
  
 
[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]

Revision as of 15:43, 10 October 2020

Willie Dixon
Birth name William James Dixon
Born July 1 1915(1915-07-01)
Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died January 29 1992 (aged 76)
Burbank, California, United States
Genre(s) Blues
Instrument(s) Double bass, guitar
Label(s) Chess
Website www.bluesheaven.com

William James "Willie" Dixon (July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992) was an American blues singer-songwriter, many of whose songs became classics of the Chicago blues genre and were later covered by major rock and roll artists. He was also a noted bassist, arranger, and record producer for Chicago's premier blues label, Chess Records, in its heyday during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Dixon wrote such blues hits as "Little Red Rooster," "Big Boss Man," "Spoonful," "Back Door Man," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "My Babe," "Wang Dang Doodle," "Hoochie Coochie Man," and "Bring It on Home." His songs were performed by blues greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, and Little Walter. He also influenced a generation of younger musicians who later recorded his songs, including Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Eric Clapton, The Doors, The Animals, Bob Dylan, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, the Grateful Dead and many others.

Dixon also formed a direct link between the blues and rock and roll by working with rock artists like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley in their early years. Next to Muddy Waters, he is considered the most influential shaper of the post-World War II sound of the Chicago blues and is thought by some to be the most important blues songwriter in history.

Biography

Early life

Dixon was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 1, 1915. His mother, Daisy, often created rhymes during casual conversation, a habit Dixon learned to imitate. At the age of seven, he became an admirer of a band that featured blues pianist Little Brother Montgomery. Dixon was further introduced to the blues when he served time on prison farms in Mississippi as an early-teenager. He also learned how to sing harmony from a local carpenter named Leo Phelps. Dixon sang bass in Phelps' group, the Jubilee Singers, a local gospel quartet that regularly appeared on the Vicksburg radio station WQBC. Around this time Dixon began experimenting with songwriting by adapting poems he had written into songs, and was even able to sell some of them to local music groups.

Dixon left Mississippi for Chicago in 1936. A man of impressive stature at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing over 250 pounds, he took up boxing. He showed considerable talent in the sport, winning the Illinois State Golden Gloves heavyweight championship (novice division) in 1937. Dixon then turned professional as a boxer and worked briefly as Joe Louis' sparring partner. After four pro fights, however, he abandoned the boxing business due to a quarrel with his manager over a question of money.

At the boxing gym, Dixon was met by fellow singer Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston, who helped him become serious about music as a career. Dixon sang in several vocal groups in Chicago, and Caston built him his first bass, made of a tin can and one string. Dixon also learned the guitar.

Career

In Chicago, Dixon and Caston helped form the Five Breezes, a group that blended blues and jazz, emphasizing vocal harmonies. Dixon's progress in learning to play the bass was halted when he was imprisoned for ten months after resisting the draft during World War II. After the war, he briefly formed the Four Jumps of Jive and then reunited with Caston to create the Big Three Trio, which went on to record briefly for Columbia Records.

Dixon first signed with Chess Records in 1948 as a recording artist, but soon began working at the label as a producer and arranger. By 1951, he was a full-time employee at Chess, where he acted as producer, talent scout, session musician on the bass, arranger, and staff songwriter. Although his relationship with the label was sometimes strained, he remained with Chess through the early 1960s. During this time his output and influence was prodigious.

The artists with whom Dixon worked reads like a Who's Who of the Chicago blues world, including such greats as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Koko Taylor, Little Milton, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulson, Memphis Slim, Buddy Guy, and Washboard Sam. He also appears on many of Chuck Berry's early recordings and worked with Bo Diddley during the same period, forming a direct link between blues and early rock and roll.

Dixon had a unique gift for refurbishing traditional blues motifs. Even though many of his songs follow traditional 12-bar blues patterns, they are highly varied and rarely monotonous, featuring memorable "hooks" and bridges, demonstrating his sophistication as an arranger, yet remaining true to the authentic blues form. He also showed a flare as a lyricist, from the party chatter of "Wang Dang Doogle" to the humorous complaint of "Big Boss Man" and the melancholy lament of a man plagued by sexual impotence in "Little Red Rooster." So successful was his songwriting career that it was hardly an exaggeration when he boasted "I am the blues!"

In the early 1960s, many of the young blues-oriented groups in Britain began playing and recording Dixon's songs. In December 1964, The Rolling Stones reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their cover version of "Little Red Rooster." Cream, The Animals, and Eric Clapton also covered many of his songs. In the US, The Doors had a hit with his "Back Door Man," a song originally written for Howlin' Wolf. The Lovin' Spoonful took their name from the Dixon song "Spoonful," which likewise had been a hit for Wolf. Otis Redding's "Pain in My Heart" was also penned by Dixon, as was Captain Beefheart's "Ditty Wah Ditty."

In the late 1960s, as the blues revival reached full swing, Dixon put together several all-star Chicago-based blues ensembles for work in Europe. He also had a modest success as a performing artist himself as he played at folk venues and blues festivals throughout the US and Europe, often performing with pianist Memphis Slim. His health deteriorated in the 1970s and 1980s due to long-term diabetes, and one leg eventually had to be amputated.

Dixon died of heart failure in Burbank, California on January 29, 1992, at 77 years of age, and was buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

Legacy

Willie Dixon is considered by many to be the greatest blues songwriter in history. Together with Muddy Waters and other Chicago bluesmen, he was one of the main creators of the Chicago blues sound which interpreted Mississippi Delta blues in an urban setting in the context of the contemporary R & B market of the time.

Dixon was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 at its inaugural session. He also won a Grammy Award in 1989 for his album, Hidden Charms. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the "early influences" (pre-rock) category in 1994. His song "Hoochie Coochie Man" is listed among Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Dixon's work was covered by a varied range of artists, from the blues and jazz to modern day rock music and R & B practitioners. In addition to his classic blues hits, he was also the composer of such popular classics as "Pain In My Heart" (Otis Redding), "Diddy Wah Diddy" (Captain Beefheart), "The Seventh Son" (Mose Allison), and "You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At Its Cover" (Bo Diddley). Led Zeppelin's hit "Whole Lotta Love" and was based on Dixon's "You Need Love," and the Righteous' Brothers' "My Babe" was a remake of the Dixon song of the same name, which had been a hit for Little Walter.

Actor and comedian Cedric the Entertainer portrayed Dixon in the 2008 feature film Cadillac Records, based on the life of Leonard Chess and featuring Beyoncé as Etta James and Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters.

Selected songs

Dixon wrote many famous blues songs for the great artists of the Chicago blues genre, often producing the records and playing double bass when they were first recorded. Many of his songs were later covered by second-generation blues and rock artists. Some of his better known songs include:

  • "29 Ways" – Marc Cohn, Willie Dixon, The Blues Band
  • "300 Pounds Of Joy" – Howlin' Wolf, Tom Jones and Jools Holland
  • "After Five Long Years" – Willie Dixon
  • "As Long as I Have You" – Led Zeppelin
  • "Back Door Man" – Howlin' Wolf, The Doors, Grateful Dead, Shadows of Knight, Bob Weir
  • "Big Boss Man" – Jimmy Reed, Elvis Presley, The Animals, The Grateful Dead
  • "Bring It on Home" – Sonny Boy Williamson II, Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, Dread Zeppelin, Johnny Thunders
  • "Built for Comfort" – Howlin' Wolf, Canned Heat, UFO
  • "Crazy For My Baby" – Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, Willie Dixon
  • "Crazy Love" – Buddy Guy
  • "Crazy Mixed Up World" – Little Walter
  • "Close to You" – Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Doors
  • "Dead Presidents" – Little Walter, The J. Geils Band
  • "Diddy Wah Diddy" – Bo Diddley, Captain Beefheart, The Blues Band
  • "Do Me Right" – Lowell Fulson
  • "Do the Do" – Howlin' Wolf
  • "Don't Go No Farther" – Muddy Waters
  • "Don't Tell Me Nothin´" – Willie Dixon – used in the movie The Color of Money
  • "Down in the Bottom" – Howlin' Wolf, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
  • "Earthquake and Hurricane" – Willie Dixon
  • "Eternity" – Grateful Dead
  • "Everybody Needs Something" – Little Walter
  • "Everything But You" – Jimmy Witherspoon
  • "Everything's Got a Time" – Willie Dixon
  • "Evil" – Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Canned Heat, Captain Beefheart, Monster Magnet, Derek and the Dominos, Gary Moore, Cactus, The Faces, Steve Miller, Koko Taylor
  • "Flamin' Mamie" – Willie Dixon
  • "Help Me" – Sonny Boy Williamson II
  • "Grave Digger Blues" – Willie Dixon
  • "Groanin' the Blues" – Willie Dixon, Eric Clapton
  • "Hidden Charms" – Howlin' Wolf, Link Wray
  • "Hoochie Coochie Man" – Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Shadows of Knight, Eric Burdon, The Nashville Teens, Dion, The Allman Brothers Band, Alexis Korner, Steppenwolf, Chuck Berry, Motörhead, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Healey, Manfred Mann
  • "Howlin' For My Baby" – Howlin' Wolf, George Thorogood
  • "I Ain't Superstitious" – Howlin' Wolf, The Yardbirds, Grateful Dead, Megadeth, The Jeff Beck Group, Chris Spedding
  • "I Can't Quit You Baby" – Little Milton, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Led Zeppelin, Gary Moore, Dread Zeppelin, Nine Below Zero
  • "I Can't Understand" – Los Lobos (co-written with Cesar Rojas)
  • "I Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)" – Willie Dixon
  • "If the Sea Was Whiskey" – Chris Thile
  • "I Got What It Takes" – Koko Taylor
  • "I Just Want To Make Love To You" – Muddy Waters, The Animals, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, Shadows of Knight, Mungo Jerry, Grateful Dead, Foghat, The Rolling Stones, Etta James, Van Morrison, Paul Rodgers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, April Wine, Robben Ford, Meat Puppets, Cold Sweat
  • "I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love" – Muddy Waters, Willie Nelson
  • "I'm Ready" – Muddy Waters, Humble Pie, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, Long John Baldry, Eric Burdon, George Thorogood, Albert King
  • "Insane Asylum" – Koko Taylor, Kathy McDonald and Sly Stone, Diamanda Galás, Asylum Street Spankers, The Detroit Cobras, Oxbow feat, Marianne Faithful
  • "I Don't Play" – Robben Ford
  • "I Got My Brand on You" – Muddy Waters
  • "It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)" – Styx
  • "I Want To Be Loved" – Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones
  • "Let Me Love You Baby" – Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters, B. B. King
  • "Little Baby" – Howlin' Wolf, The Rolling Stones
  • "Little Red Rooster" – Howlin' Wolf, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Luther Allison, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Big Mama Thornton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  • "Love, Life & Money" – Johnny Winter
  • "Mellow Down Easy" – Little Walter & His Jukes, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Black Crowes, Carey Bell, ZZ Top, Jimmy Reed, Holly Golightly
  • "Million Dollar Baby" – Dizzy Gillespie
  • "My Babe" – Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Spencer Davis Group, John P. Hammond, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Othar Turner & The Rising Star Fire and Drum Band
  • "My Baby's Sweeter" – Little Walter, Fleetwood Mac
  • "My Captain" – Muddy Waters
  • "My John the Conqueror Root" – Muddy Waters
  • "Nervous" – Willie Dixon
  • "Oh Baby" – Little Walter
  • "One More Chance With You" – Little Walter
  • "Pain In My Heart" – Willie Dixon, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Grateful Dead
  • "Pie in the Sky" – Willie Dixon
  • "Pretty Thing" – Bo Diddley, Pretty Things, Canned Heat
  • "Seventh Son" – Willie Mabon, Mose Allison, Bill Haley, Johnny Rivers, Sting, Climax Blues Band, Long John Baldry
  • "Sin And City" – Buddy Guy
  • "Shake For Me" – Howlin' Wolf, Stevie Ray Vaughan
  • "Sit and Cry (The Blues)" – Buddy Guy (co-written with Buddy Guy)
  • "Spoonful" – Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Shadows of Knight, Dion, Paul Butterfield, Cream, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Ten Years After, The Who, Etta James, Salty Dog
  • "Study War No More" – Willie Dixon
  • "The Same Thing" – Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, George Thorogood, The Allman Brothers Band, Sue Foley, The Band, Marc Ford, Grateful Dead
  • "The Seventh Son" – Willie Dixon
  • "Study No More" – Willie Dixon
  • "Third Degree" – Eddie Boyd, Willie Dixon, Eric Clapton, Leslie West
  • "Tollin' Bells" – Lowell Fulson, Savoy Brown Blues Band, Robert Cray
  • "Too Late" – Little Milton, Little Walter
  • "Too Many Cooks" – Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Mick Jagger
  • "Violent Love" – Otis Rush, The Big Three, Oingo Boingo, Dr. Feelgood
  • "Walkin' The Blues" – Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, John Kay
  • "Wang Dang Doodle" – Koko Taylor, Howlin' Wolf, Grateful Dead, Savoy Brown, Box Tops, PJ Harvey, Rufus Thomas, The Pointer Sisters, The Blues Band, Widespread Panic
  • "Weak Brain, Narrow Mind" – Willie Dixon, Widespread Panic
  • "When My Left Eye Jumps" – Buddy Guy
  • "When The Lights Go Out" – Jimmy Witherspoon, Kim Wilson
  • "Who" – Little Walter
  • "Wigglin' Worm" – Willie Dixon
  • "You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At Its Cover" – Bo Diddley, Shadows of Knight, Cactus, The Yardbirds, Beat Farmers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tim Hardin, The Merseybeats, Elliott Murphy, Long John Baldry, The Monkees, Eric Clapton, Roy Buchanan.
  • "You Don't Love Me" – Booker T. & the M.G.s, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills
  • "You Know My Love" – Otis Rush, Gary Moore
  • "You'll Be Mine" – Howlin' Wolf, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dr. Feelgood
  • "You Need Love" – Muddy Waters
  • "Whole Lotta Love" – Led Zeppelin, based on Dixon's "You Need Love." Dixon and his music publisher received credit and royalties, after a 1985 lawsuit was settled out of court.
  • "You Shook Me"– Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Jeff Beck Group, Led Zeppelin, Dread Zeppelin
  • "Young Fashioned Ways" – Muddy Waters

See also

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Dixon, Willie, and Don Snowden. I Am the Blues: The Willie Dixon Story. New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press, 1989. ISBN 9780306804151
  • Rowe, Mike. Chicago Blues: The City & the Music. New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press, 1975. ISBN 9780306801457
  • Taft, Michael. Blues Lyric Poetry: An Anthology. Garland reference library of the humanities, vol. 361. New York: Garland Pub, 1983. ISBN 9780824092351
  • Titon, Jeff Todd. Downhome Blues Lyrics: An Anthology from the Post-World War II Era. Boston, MA.: Twayne Publishers, 1981. ISBN 9780805794519
  • Zollo, Paul. Songwriters on Songwriting. New York: Da Capo Press, 2003. ISBN 9780306812651

External links

All links retrieved October 10, 2020.

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