Willie Dixon

William James Dixon (July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992) was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He was proficient in playing both the upright bass and the guitar, and sang with a distinctive voice, but he is perhaps best known as one of the most prolific songwriters of his time. Next to Muddy Waters, Dixon is recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues.

Dixon's songs have been recorded by countless musicians in many genres as well as by various ensembles in which he participated. A short list of his most famous compositions includes "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want to Make Love to You", "Little Red Rooster", "My Babe", "Spoonful", and "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover". These songs were written during the peak years of Chess Records, from 1950 to 1965, and were performed by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Bo Diddley; they influenced a generation of musicians worldwide.

Dixon was an important link between the blues and rock and roll, working with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley in the late 1950s. In the 1960s, his songs were adapted by numerous rock artists. He received a Grammy Award and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 1, 1915 (Vicksburg), Died January 29, 1992 (Burbank)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 104 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Chess U7795 10-in. March, 1955 Who will be next Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7796 10-in. March, 1955 I have a little girl Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7797 10-in. 2/3/1955 My eyes Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7798 10-in. 3/31/1955 Come to me baby Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7799 10-in. March, 1955 Don't mess with my baby Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7829 10-in. May, 1955 Starlite The Moonglows instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7830 10-in. May? 1955 Foolish me The Moonglows instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7833 10-in. May? 1955 Slow down The Moonglows instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7834 10-in. May, 1955 In love The Moonglows instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7844 10-in. May, 1955 Maybellene Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7845 10-in. May, 1955 Wee wee hours Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7846 10-in. 2/3/1955 Manish boy Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7871 10-in. 1955 The seventh son Willie Mabon composer  
Chess 7898 10-in. September, 1955 Together Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7899 10-in. September, 1955 Thirty days Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7937 10-in. 1955 I got to find my baby Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7938 10-in. 1955 Sugar sweet Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7939 10-in. 1955 Trouble no more Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7940 10-in. Oct.-Nov. 1954 Clouds in my heart Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7951 10-in. December, 1955 You can't catch me Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7954 10-in. December, 1955 The downbound train Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7955 10-in. December, 1955 No money down Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7970 10-in. 1955 You're the one Jimmy Rogers instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7985 10-in. 1956 Smoke stack lightning Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7986 10-in. January, 1956 You can't be beat Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 51-75 of 104 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dixon, Willie," accessed June 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

Dixon, Willie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

"Dixon, Willie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 June 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926

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