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Hound Dog Taylor (1915-1975)

Beware of the Dog

Theodore Roosevelt "Hound Dog" Taylor (April 12, 1915 - December 17, 1975) was an American blues guitarist and singer. He was born in Natchez, Mississippi in 1915 (some sources say 1917). He began playing guitar when he was 20 and moved to Chicago in 1942. He became a full-time musician around 1957 but wasn't well known outside of the Chicago area. After hearing Hound Dog Taylor with his band, the HouseRockers (consisting of Brewer Phillips, second guitar, and Ted Harvey, drums) in 1969, an idealistic young white man named Bruce Iglauer attempted unsuccessfully to get him signed by his employer, Delmark Records. Iglauer then decided to become Hound Dog Taylor's manager, formed a small record label with a $2500 inheritance and recorded Hound Dog Taylor's debut album, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, with Alligator Records in 1971. It was the first release on Alligator records, now a major blues label. It was recorded live in just two nights. Their second release, Natural Boogie was culled from the same 1971 recording sessions and led to greater acclaim. His third Alligator album, Beware of the Dog, was recorded live in 1974 but only released after his death. More posthumous releases occurred as well, all on the Alligator label. Hound Dog Taylor was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984. Hound Dog Tayor was best known for his raw vocal style and searing slide guitar, using a cheap Teisco del Rey guitar and Sears Roebuck amplifier to great advantage. He was not a smooth virtuoso on either of his instruments (guitar or vocals), and was known to say, "When I die, they'll say, 'He couldn't play shit, but he sure made it sound good!'" The HouseRockers were also unique in the fact that they had no bass player; rather, Hound Dog Taylor and Brewer Phillips would take turns playing the rhythm/bass line while the other soloed. Some sources say that the Freddie King classic, Hideaway, later covered by Eric Clapton, was inspired by a Hound Dog Taylor instrumental. Stevie Ray Vaughan also covered Hound Dog Taylor's best known song, Give Me Back My Wig both in concert and in studio. Hound Dog Taylor died of cancer in 1975 and was buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. (quoted from wikipedia.org)

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