Muddy Waters

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Muddy Waters ( real name McKinley Morganfield, April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983) was born in in Jug's Corner, Issaquena County, Mississippi. His father was known in the area as an entertainer, singing and playing guitar and washboard at country parties.
In 1940 Waters moved to Chicago for the first time. He played with Silas Green a year later, and then returned to Mississippi. In 1943 Waters was back Chicago, working in a factory by day and performing at night. Big Bill Broonzy, one of the leading bluesmen in Chicago at the time, helped Muddy break into the market by allowing him to open for his shows in the rowdy clubs.
In 1946 and 1947, Waters recorded some tunes for Mayo Williams at Columbia but they weren't released at the time. But in 1948 Waters' "I Can't Be Satisfied" and "I Feel Like Going Home" became big. Also Waters' signature tune, "Rollin' Stone" recorded for Chess Records became a hit.
In September 1953 Waters was recording with the best blues musicians ever: Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica; Jimmy Rogers on guitar; Elga Edmonds on drums; Otis Spann on piano; and Waters on vocals and second guitar. The band recorded a series of blues classics during the early 1950s, some with the help of bassist/songwriter Willie Dixon, including "Hoochie Coochie Man".
By 1954, Waters was at the height of his career. His 1958 tour of England marked possibly the first time amplified, modern urban blues was heard there, although on his first tour he was the only one amplified.

Muddy Waters' influence is tremendous, over a variety of music genres: blues, rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, folk, jazz, and country. Waters helped Chuck Berry get his first record contract. The Rolling Stones named themselves after Waters' 1950 song "Rollin' Stone". Angus Young of the rock group AC/DC has cited Waters as one of his influences.

Muddy Waters' last public performance was with Eric Clapton's band at a Clapton concert in Florida in autumn of 1982. On April 30, 1983 Waters died in his sleep, at his home in Westmont, Illinois.

Official website: www.muddywaters.com

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