Otis Rush

Died On This Date (February 15, 1968) Little Walter / Blues Great

themusicsover February 15, 2010 2 Comments

Little Walter (Born Marion Walter Jacobs)
May 1, 1930 – February 15, 1968

Little Walter was an influential blues harmonica player whose revolutionary style of play often had later fans calling him the “Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica.”  Little Walter launched his career while still a young teen, busking throughout the southern states.  It was during those early years that he learned the ropes from the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Honeyboy Edwards.  He moved to Chicago in 1945 and began releasing records within two years.  Little Walter began playing with Muddy Waters, both in his band and later on record, during the late ’40s.  Throughout the ’50s, Little Walter released several records on his own with songs like “Juke” and “Roller Coaster” landing on the R&B charts.  As a session player, he can be heard on records by the likes of Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley and Otis Rush.  Notorious for his abuse of alcohol and a hot temper, Littler Walter died in his sleep following a fight outside of a Chicago club.  Though never made official, it is believed that the blows from that encounter inflamed internal injuries sustained from an earlier fight, resulting in a blood clot in the heart.  He was 37 years old.

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