Home → Overview → Blues Artists → Willie Dixon

Willie Dixon (1915-1992)

"I Am the Blues."

He was born as William James Dixon on July 1, 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was a producer for Chess and Checker Records in Chicago and is considered one of the key figures in the creation of Chicago blues. Willie Dixon worked with Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Led Zeppelin, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Koko Taylor, Little Milton, Eddie Boyd, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulson, Willie Mabon, Memphis Slim and others. Willie Dixon had a colourful life. In his teens he had many scrapes with the law, and decided to hitchhike his way to Chicago. A giant of a man, Willie Dixon took up boxing, and was so successful as to win the Golden Gloves heavywight title in 1936. His progess in learning to play the bass was halted when he resisted the World War II draft, and was imprisoned for ten months. After the war, he re-united with his bass playing tutor, Baby Doo Caston, forming the Big Three Trio, who went on to record for Columbia Records. Willie Dixon subsequently signed for Chess Records as a recording artist, but by 1951 he was a full time employee of the label. His relationship with them was sometimes strained, although his spell there covered the years from 1948 to the early 1960s. During this time his output, and influence was prodigious. Indeed, he once claimed "I am the blues". This may seem a little arrogant, but there is no doubt that he was one of the major influences on the genre, through his original and varied songwriting, live performances, recording, and copious production work. Willie Dixon later recorded on Bluesville Records. His double bass playing was of a high standard. He appears on many of Chuck Berry's early recordings, further proving his linkage between the blues and the birth of rock 'n' roll. Willie Dixon's genius as a songwriter, lay in refurbishing archaic Southern motifs, in contemporary arrangements. This produced songs with the backbone of the blues, and the agility of pop music. British R&B bands of the 1960's constantly drew on the Wille Dixon songbook for inspiration. In addition, as his songwriting and production work started to take a backseat, his organisational ability was utilised, putting together all-star, Chicago based blues ensembles for work in Europe. His health deteriorated in the 1970s and 1980s, due to long-term diabetes, and eventually his leg had to be amputated. It was during this latter period of his life that Willie Dixon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Willie Dixon's work was covered by a varied range of artists, from the blues, to modern day rock music practioneers. Willie Dixon died of heart failure in Burbank, California in 1992 and was buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. (quoted from wikipedia.org)

Blues Search Engine

Home
Overview
Booking Agencies
Blues Artists
→  Willie Dixon
Blues Societies
Blues Directories, Portals
Blues in General
Blues Live on Stage
Learn to Play the Blues
Blues and Science
Record Companies
Search Page
Submit a Site
Contact
Your Own Search Engine
Bookmark This Site!

Artist Title Song Soundtrack Label

Artist Song Name Composer Composition Instrument

Home → Overview → Blues Artists → Willie Dixon