Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HOOKER, Earl

(b Earl Zebedee Hooker, 15 Jan. '30, Clarksdale MS; d 21 April '71 of TB, Chicago) Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist; cousin of John Lee Hooker. Brought modern feeling to roots music, becoming king of the electric slide. Wrote 'Hold On, I'm Comin'', 'Two Bugs And A Roach', many more. To Chicago as a child, attended Lyon and Healy music school, worked the streets with Bo Diddley, played small gigs; toured with Ike Turner '49--50, infl. Ike, Elvin Bishop, Jimi Hendrix. Appeared UK TV with the Beatles '65. Records on many labels incl. King, Argo, Checker, Blue Thumb, Blues Way, etc; Earl Hooker on Antilles; There's A Fungus Among Us (also said to be last recordings, instrumentals with Jimmy Dawkins) and The Leading Brand with singer and guitarist Jody Williams (b Joseph Leon Williams, 3 Feb. '35, Mobile AL), both on Red Lightnin' UK. Collections on Arhoolie were First And Last Recordings, Hooker And Steve with Miller, Two Bugs And A Roach; on One Way Sweet Black Angel; on Black Top Play Your Guitar, Mr Hooker!