Born into a musical family in Linden, Texas in 1910, T-Bone Walker’s talent was nurtured by his mentor, Blind Lemon Jefferson. By 1929, he had made his recorded debut with Columbia Records as Oak Cliff T-Bone, accompanied by pianist Douglas Fernell. Walker’s soulful vocals and supple guitar style, captured on his 1942 recordings with Freddie Slack for Capitol, set the blueprint for modern blues.
Moving to Los Angeles’ Central Avenue, Walker fronted his own band from 1941 and continued to make strides at Black & White Records from 1946 to 1948. His self-penned hit, recorded in 1947, became a standard, inspiring countless artists and establishing him as a guitar virtuoso.
Walker’s live performances were equally captivating, with his flamboyant stage persona influencing the likes of Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix. Throughout his career, he released exceptional music with various labels, including Imperial, Atlantic, Bluesway, and Polydor.
Despite his remarkable contributions, Walker’s health declined in the early 1970s, and he passed away in 1975 at the age of 64. His legacy lives on through his timeless recordings, which continue to captivate blues enthusiasts worldwide.