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

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

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D7VB-0312 10-in. 2/12/1947 Farewell night life John Sellers Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0313 10-in. 2/12/1947 Let me be your sidetrack John Sellers Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0314 10-in. 2/12/1947 Mama, what you gonna do John Sellers Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0315 10-in. 2/12/1947 Play around with my head John Sellers Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0316 10-in. 2/18/1947 You can't make the grade Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0317 10-in. 2/18/1947 You can't have none of that Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0318 10-in. 2/18/1947 I just couldn't help it Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0319 10-in. 2/18/1947 Soap and water blues Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0374 10-in. 3/28/1947 Mellow chick swing Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0375 10-in. 3/28/1947 Polly put your kettle on Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0376 10-in. 3/28/1947 Lacey Belle Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0377 10-in. 3/28/1947 Apple tree swing Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0387 10-in. 4/3/1947 Where shall I go Boogie Band ; J. T. Brown ; Memphis Jimmy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0388 10-in. 4/3/1947 Jimmy's jump Boogie Band ; J. T. Brown ; Memphis Jimmy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0389 10-in. 4/3/1947 I had to let her go Boogie Band ; Little Eddie Boyd ; J. T. Brown Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0390 10-in. 4/3/1947 Kilroy won't be back Boogie Band ; Little Eddie Boyd ; J. T. Brown Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0895 10-in. 5/22/1947 The jungle king (you ain't a doggone thing) Count Basie ; Count Basie Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal group and jazz/dance band composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dixon, Willie," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

Dixon, Willie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

"Dixon, Willie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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