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 101-104 of 104 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Chess U9150 10-in. March, 1959 I'm leaving you Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U9152 10-in. March, 1959 Change my way Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U9207 10-in. January, 1959 That's my desire Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 9237 10-in. February, 1959 Back in the U. S. A. Chuck Berry ; Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 101-104 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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