Little Walter
Real Name:
Marion Walter Jacobs
Profile:
Blues harmonica player and composer.
His innovation on the harmonica has had impact on succeeding generations.
Born & raised in Louisiana, Little Walter had quit school by the age of 12, & was supporting himself with odd jobs & busking around southern cities in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, & Missouri. Arriving in Chicago in 1945, he occasionally found work as a guitarist but garnered more attention for his already highly developed harmonica work. Jacobs, growing frustrated with having his harmonica drowned out by electric guitarists, competed with their volume by adopting the previously little-used method of amplification. However, he differed from his contemporaries by purposely pushing his amplifiers beyond their intended technical limitations, using the amplification to explore and develop radical new timbres and sonic effects previously unheard from a harmonica, or any other instrument. It has been said Little Walter was the first musician of any kind to purposely use electronic distortion.
His first released recordings were in 1947. He then joined Muddy Waters band playing mostly unamplified harmonica from 1948 to 1952, though Chess hired Walter to play on most of Muddy's records throughout the 50's.
In 1952 his instrumental hit "Juke" spent 8 weeks atop the Billboard R&B chart, the only harmonica instrumental #1 to date.
Little Walter scored fourteen top-ten hits on the Billboard R&B charts between 1952 and 1958, including a second #1, "My Babe" in 1955, a level of commercial success never achieved by his former boss Waters.
In the late 1950s, Jacob's fame and fortunes began to decline. He suffered from alcoholism and had a notoriously short temper. He died in his sleep at the apartment of a girlfriend at 209 E. 54th St. in Chicago early in the morning following a fight outside a club he was playing at in South Chicago.
Described as "king of all post-war blues harpists", he is widely credited by blues historians as the artist primarily responsible for establishing the standard vocabulary for modern blues & blues rock harmonica players.
Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 (Sidemen).
Born 1 May 1930 in Marksville, Louisiana.
Died 15 February 1968 in Chicago, Illinois.
His innovation on the harmonica has had impact on succeeding generations.
Born & raised in Louisiana, Little Walter had quit school by the age of 12, & was supporting himself with odd jobs & busking around southern cities in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, & Missouri. Arriving in Chicago in 1945, he occasionally found work as a guitarist but garnered more attention for his already highly developed harmonica work. Jacobs, growing frustrated with having his harmonica drowned out by electric guitarists, competed with their volume by adopting the previously little-used method of amplification. However, he differed from his contemporaries by purposely pushing his amplifiers beyond their intended technical limitations, using the amplification to explore and develop radical new timbres and sonic effects previously unheard from a harmonica, or any other instrument. It has been said Little Walter was the first musician of any kind to purposely use electronic distortion.
His first released recordings were in 1947. He then joined Muddy Waters band playing mostly unamplified harmonica from 1948 to 1952, though Chess hired Walter to play on most of Muddy's records throughout the 50's.
In 1952 his instrumental hit "Juke" spent 8 weeks atop the Billboard R&B chart, the only harmonica instrumental #1 to date.
Little Walter scored fourteen top-ten hits on the Billboard R&B charts between 1952 and 1958, including a second #1, "My Babe" in 1955, a level of commercial success never achieved by his former boss Waters.
In the late 1950s, Jacob's fame and fortunes began to decline. He suffered from alcoholism and had a notoriously short temper. He died in his sleep at the apartment of a girlfriend at 209 E. 54th St. in Chicago early in the morning following a fight outside a club he was playing at in South Chicago.
Described as "king of all post-war blues harpists", he is widely credited by blues historians as the artist primarily responsible for establishing the standard vocabulary for modern blues & blues rock harmonica players.
Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 (Sidemen).
Born 1 May 1930 in Marksville, Louisiana.
Died 15 February 1968 in Chicago, Illinois.
Sites:
Aliases:
In Groups:
Little Walter & His Jukes,
Little Walter And His Combo,
Little Walter And The Night Cats,
Little Walter Trio
Variations:
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Little Walter
"Little" Walter Jacobs, 'Little Walter' Jacobs, Dixon, Jacobs, L. Walter, Litte Walter, Little Ealter, Little Walker, Little Walter (Jacobs), Little Walter J, Little Walter J., Little Walter Jacobs, Little Walter Juke, Little Walters, Little Walther, Little Water Juke, Walker, Walter, Walter Jacobs, Walters
Marketplace
12,086 For SaleImage | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Albums |
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CRL 4529 |
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Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Muddy Waters | Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Muddy Waters - Super Blues (Album) | Checker, Checker | CRL 4529 | UK | 1967 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LP-1535 |
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Little Walter | Hate To See You Go (Comp) | Chess | LP-1535 | US | 1969 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SWX-6136M |
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Jimmy Rogers With Little Walter, Muddy Waters | Jimmy Rogers With Little Walter, Muddy Waters - Chicago Bound (Comp, Album) | Chess, Chess | SWX-6136M | Japan | 1970 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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QS 5003 |
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Little Walter & Otis Rush | Little Walter & Otis Rush - Live In Chicago (Album) | Intermedia Records | QS 5003 | US | 1982 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Singles & EPs |
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711 |
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Little Walter J.* | Ora-Nelle Blues / I Just Keep Loving Her (Shellac, 10", Mono) | Ora Nelle | 711 | US | 1947 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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764 |
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Little Walter And His Nightcaps* | Little Walter And His Nightcaps* - Mean Old World / Sad Hours (Single) | Checker | 764 | US | 1952 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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403 |
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Little Walter | Just Keep Lovin' Her / Take A Walk With Me | Herald | 403 | US | 1953 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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404 |
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Little Walter | Rollin' Blues (Single) | Herald | 404 | US | 1953 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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EPV 1046 |
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Muddy Waters With Little Walter | Muddy Waters With Little Walter - Mississippi Blues (7", EP) | Vogue Records | EPV 1046 | UK | 1955 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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852 |
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Little Walter | It's Too Late Brother / Take Me Back (Single) | Checker | 852 | US | 1956 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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K1537 |
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Little Walter | Teenage Beat / Just A Feeling (Single) | Checker | K1537 | Canada | 1956 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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833 |
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Little Walter | Who / It Ain't Right | Checker | 833 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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859 |
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Little Walter & His Jukes / Little Walter | Little Walter & His Jukes / Little Walter - Nobody But You / Everybody Needs Somebody (Single) | Checker | 859 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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867 |
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Little Walter | Boom, Boom Out Goes The Lights / Temperature (Single) | Checker | 867 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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890 |
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Little Walter | The Tottle (Single) | Checker | 890 | US | 1958 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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780 |
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Little Walter | Blues With A Feeling / Quarter To Twelve (7", Single) | Checker | 780 | US | 1959 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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938 |
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Little Walter | Me And Piney Brown (Single) | Checker | 938 | US | 1959 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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930 |
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Little Walter | Everything Gonna Be Alright / Back Track (Single) | Checker | 930 | US | 1959 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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919 |
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Little Walter | My Baby Is Sweeter / Crazy Mixed Up World (Single) | Checker | 919 | US | 1959 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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45-HLM 9175 |
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Little Walter | My Babe (Single) | Checker | 45-HLM 9175 | UK | 1960 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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945 |
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Little Walter | Ah'w Baby / I Had My Fun (Single) | Checker | 945 | US | 1960 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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968 |
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Little Walter | I Don't Play / As Long As I Have You (Single) | Checker | 968 | US | 1961 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CK-986 |
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Little Walter | Crazy For My Baby / Crazy Legs (Single) | Checker | CK-986 | US | 1961 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1013 |
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Little Walter | Just You Fool / I Got To Find My Baby | Checker | 1013 | US | 1962 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1043 |
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Little Walter | Up The Line (Single) | Checker | 1043 | US | 1963 | Sell This Version |
Reviews Show All 2 Reviews

d-of
April 26, 2015
edited 8 months ago
Hail the King //:+)
As a fan of harmonica, blues, & music in general, Little Walter is a King.
His playing has never been truly equaled on the harmonica. A true innovator, not unlike Jimi Hendrix was on guitar..
His 2008 entry into the Rock'N''Roll hall of fame as a sideman should be as a bandleader also. With his first-take debut single, 1952's "Juke", the first and only harmonica solo single to be #1 on the Billboard R&B charts (#1 for 8 weeks!), he is deserving enough. Add to that Jacobs 14 top-ten Billboard R&B hits between '52 & '58 also included the #1 charting blues-standard "My Babe". Also, his early explorations in the 1940's with amplification, quite likely the first musician to purposely use distortion, add to his stature. It seems his earliest classic recordings with Muddy Waters somehow have overshadowed the full breadth of his recorded genius. This being said,
perhaps the only thing overlooking this genius may be the Hall-of-Fame agenda.
As a fan of harmonica, blues, & music in general, Little Walter is a King.
His playing has never been truly equaled on the harmonica. A true innovator, not unlike Jimi Hendrix was on guitar..
His 2008 entry into the Rock'N''Roll hall of fame as a sideman should be as a bandleader also. With his first-take debut single, 1952's "Juke", the first and only harmonica solo single to be #1 on the Billboard R&B charts (#1 for 8 weeks!), he is deserving enough. Add to that Jacobs 14 top-ten Billboard R&B hits between '52 & '58 also included the #1 charting blues-standard "My Babe". Also, his early explorations in the 1940's with amplification, quite likely the first musician to purposely use distortion, add to his stature. It seems his earliest classic recordings with Muddy Waters somehow have overshadowed the full breadth of his recorded genius. This being said,
perhaps the only thing overlooking this genius may be the Hall-of-Fame agenda.
itsamodthing
October 30, 2016