- Born
- 1915, Rolling Fork, Mississippi, United States
- First work
- 1941: Country Blues
- Peak
- 1950 to 1960 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1981: King Bee
- Died
- 1983, Westmont, United States; aged 68; natural
Muddy Waters
Music: singer, guitarist, songwriter, United States
Muddy Waters was an American blues singer and guitarist celebrated as the primary architect of modern Chicago electric blues. Born in Mississippi, he made early acoustic recordings for folklorist Alan Lomax before moving north to Chicago in 1943. Electrifying his guitar to cut through noisy club crowds, Waters established the prototype for the modern blues ensemble with driving drums, amplified harmonica, and incisive slide guitar. His 1950s recordings for Chess Records transformed urban rhythm and blues and provided the foundational sound for post-war British and American rock music. Waters enjoyed a celebrated late-career renaissance before passing away peacefully in Westmont, Illinois, in 1983.
Some dates for Muddy Waters come from sources that disagree or are uncertain: peak years. Treat them as approximate.
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Signature works
- Rollin' Stone song1950
- I'm Your Hoochie Cooche Man song1954
- Mannish Boy song1955
- At Newport 1960 album1960
- Folk Singer album1964
- Hard Again album1977
Honours
- 6 competitive Grammy Awards
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 1992
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 1987
Groups: Chess Records.