John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who rose to international fame in the 1940s and 1950s. He is considered one of the most influential figures in modern blues music and was known for his distinctive and mesmerizing guitar playing. Hooker’s music was characterized by a deep, powerful, and hypnotic sound, and his raw, intense singing voice was often praised for its emotional power. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and his songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists, including Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, and the Rolling Stones. His influence on modern blues music is undeniable and his impact on contemporary culture is still felt today.
| Name | John Lee Hooker |
| Genre | Blues |
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1917 |
| Label | Vee Jay Records |
| Notable Songs | Boogie Chillen, Boom Boom, Crawlin Kingsnake |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Style | Delta, Chicago, Electric Blues |
| Awards | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Blues Hall of Fame |
10 Best John Lee Hooker Quotes
1.
“In my music, I just put my whole soul in it. I put my heart and my soul in it. I just let it go.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
2.
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
3.
“Sometimes I’d just sit on the porch and something would come to me. I’d just start playing it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
4.
“I just let it come out, let it go. If you try to control it, it don’t work. You got to let it go, and it will come out.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
5.
“When I get started on something, I keep going until I finish it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
6.
“I don’t play for nobody else but me.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
7.
“The blues, it’s a feelin’. If you got it, you got it. If you ain’t got it, you ain’t got it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
8.
“When I play the blues, I play what I feel–not what somebody else feels.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
9.
“You can’t play the blues if you ain’t lived the blues.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
10.
“The blues is a real feeling. You can’t learn it. You can’t play it. You can only feel it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
5 Inspirational John Lee Hooker Quotes
“I don’t try to be the greatest, I just try to be me.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Grammy
“I want to be remembered as a singer and a guitar player who could play the blues and could play it in a way that nobody else could.”
– John Lee Hooker, from NPR
“I just want to be remembered as a good blues singer and guitar player.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
“I just want to be remembered as a good blues singer and guitar player.”
– John Lee Hooker, from YouTube
“I’m a bluesman and I’m gonna stay a bluesman… I’m gonna stay right in the blues.”
– John Lee Hooker, from All Music
7 Famous John Lee Hooker Quotes
“I don’t try to make my music sound like anybody else’s. That’s why it’s so different.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Guitar Player Magazine
“The blues is a feeling. When you feel it, you can’t help but move with it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Independent
“The blues gets in your blood and never leaves.”
– John Lee Hooker, from NPR
“I love the blues. I don’t like no other music but the blues.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
“I love to see people happy and enjoy the blues. That’s what I live for.”
– John Lee Hooker, from CNN
“I’m not trying to imitate any blues singer or musician. I’m doing my own thing.”
– John Lee Hooker, from BBC
“I’m proud to be a bluesman. I’m still performing, still singing the blues, and I’m proud of it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Blues Foundation
5 John Lee Hooker Quotes About Love
“Love is a beautiful thing. It’s one of the greatest feelings you can have in life.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Rolling Stone
“Love is a strong emotion, it’s a beautiful thing when it comes down to it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from NPR
“Love is the greatest thing in the world. It’s the one thing that can make everything else work.”
– John Lee Hooker, from Interview Magazine
“Love is a beautiful thing. You need it. You have to have it.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Independent
“Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. That’s why we all stick around.”
– John Lee Hooker, from No Depression
5 John Lee Hooker Quotes About Life
“Life is a mystery and a puzzle.”
– John Lee Hooker, from All About Jazz
“It’s a hard life for everybody, but you got to keep on going.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Guardian
“Life is a good teacher and a hard one.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Guardian
“Life is a journey and I just keep on going”
– John Lee Hooker, from All About Jazz
“I know life is hard, and the road is a long road, you got to keep rolling.”
– John Lee Hooker, from The Guardian
5 Quotes About John Lee Hooker
“John Lee Hooker was the father of modern blues.”
– Pete Townshend, from Songfacts
“John Lee Hooker was one of the greatest bluesmen of all time.”
– John Mayall, from AllMusic
“John Lee Hooker had a unique approach to the blues. He was a master at creating tension and releasing it.”
– Eric Clapton, from Rolling Stone
“John Lee Hooker was one of the greatest blues singers of all time. His voice was like no other.”
– Robert Plant, from AllMusic
Interview with John Lee Hooker
Frequently Asked Questions About John Lee Hooker
1. Who was John Lee Hooker?
John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born in the state of Mississippi, and later moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he became a local celebrity. He is widely considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, and his unique style has influenced countless musicians, including the likes of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson.
Hooker’s career spanned seven decades, and he recorded over 100 albums. He was known for his distinctive style of guitar playing, which blended elements of Delta blues, electric blues, and jazz. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
Hooker’s most famous songs include “Boogie Chillen,” “Crawling King Snake,” “Boom Boom,” and “Dimples,” all of which are considered blues classics.
2. What are some of the most famous John Lee Hooker quotes?
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer, songwriter, and musician whose career spanned over seven decades. He was renowned for his unique guitar style and signature voice that helped define the genre. He was also known for his witty and inspiring quotes, which live on long after his passing in 2001. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
- “I play some mean blues, but I’m not a mean person.”
- “If it weren’t for the blues, I wouldn’t have no rock and roll.”
- “I don’t like the blues to be too sad, so I put some joy in it.”
- “A musician must feel free to express himself. That’s what makes music.”
- “If you can’t feel the music, you can’t play it.”
- “Blues is music from the heart, for the heart and by the heart.”
- “It’s all about feelin’, what you feel, and what you put into it.”
- “The blues is the truth, and it’s a way of life.”
3. What genres of music did John Lee Hooker write and perform?
John Lee Hooker was a prominent figure in the American music scene, having written and performed a wide variety of musical genres. His musical style is often considered to be a blend of blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll.
- Blues
- Rhythm and Blues
- Rock and Roll
- Gospel
- Jazz
- Country
4. How did John Lee Hooker’s life influence his music?
John Lee Hooker was a legendary blues singer and songwriter who used his personal experiences to write powerful songs that resonated with audiences around the world. His music was rooted in his life experiences, from his childhood in Mississippi, his time in Detroit, and his later career in California.
- Growing up in the segregated South, John Lee Hooker was exposed to the spirituals and blues of his rural Mississippi home. This early exposure to the music of the African American experience was a major influence on Hooker’s music.
- During his time in Detroit, Hooker was exposed to the electric blues sound of the city. This was a major shift from the acoustic blues he was used to and it changed the way he approached his music. He began to incorporate electric instruments into his sound and explored the more urban style of blues.
- In California, Hooker was exposed to a variety of musical styles, from folk to jazz. He incorporated these elements into his music, creating a unique blend of blues and other genres. This fusion of styles was a major influence on his later recordings.
- No matter where he was, Hooker’s music was always a reflection of his life experiences. His lyrics often reflected his own struggles and triumphs, from his time in the Deep South to his later career in California. This personal touch was a major influence on his music.
John Lee Hooker’s life was a major influence on his music, and his songs continue to resonate with audiences around the world. His unique blend of styles and his personal touch make his music timeless.
5. What is the Legacy of John Lee Hooker’s Music?
John Lee Hooker was a pioneering figure in the blues genre and his influence is still felt throughout music today. His unique playing style, which blended together Delta and Chicago blues, combined with his signature lyrical themes and powerful vocal delivery, left an indelible mark on modern music. Here are some of the lasting legacies of John Lee Hooker’s music:
- A major influence on rock music – Hooker’s sound was an integral part of the musical foundation on which rock ‘n’ roll was built. Artists such as Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Van Morrison all cite John Lee Hooker as a major influence.
- A pioneer of the blues – Hooker is credited with helping to bring the blues to a wider audience, as well as introducing elements of funk and soul into the genre.
- A major influence on later blues artists – Hooker’s influence can be heard in the work of modern blues artists such as Gary Moore and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
- The master of the one-chord groove – Hooker was known for his ability to keep a groove going with just a single chord, inspiring many guitarists to explore the possibilities of a single chord.
- The embodiment of the blues – Hooker’s unique style and approach to playing the blues made him the embodiment of the genre, and his influence on modern music is still felt today.
Conclusion
John Lee Hooker’s music has been embraced by fans from all walks of life, from blues aficionados to rockers and beyond. His influence continues to be felt in contemporary music, with artists from all genres citing him as an influence. His unique style and sound have inspired generations of musicians, and his legacy as a blues legend will live on for many years to come.
