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, songwriter, vocalist, leader

= 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  
Chess U7130 10-in. 11/10/1948 My sweet lovin' woman Robert Nighthawk instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7197 10-in. 11/10/1948 Return mail blues Robert Nighthawk instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7445 10-in. 8/12/1952 The last time Jimmy Roger's Rocking Four instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7447 10-in. 8/12/1952 Out on the road Jimmy Roger's Rocking Four instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7558 10-in. 9/24/1953 Tortured soul Eddie Boyd instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7559 10-in. 9/24/1953 Rattin' and running around Eddie Boyd ; Chess Men instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7561 10-in. 9/24/1953 Hush baby, don't you cry Eddie Boyd ; Chess Men instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7589 10-in. 1/7/1954 I'm your hoochie kooche man Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7590 10-in. 1/7/1954 She's so pretty Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7591 10-in. 1/7/1954 Blues all day long Jimmy Rogers instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7592 10-in. 1/7/1954 Chicago bound Jimmy Roger's Rocking Four instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7611 10-in. February 1954 Would you baby? Willie Mabon composer  
Chess U7612 10-in. February 1954 Late again Willie Mabon composer  
Chess U7618 10-in. March, 1954 No place to go Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7621 10-in. March 1954 Rockin' daddy Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7630 10-in. 4/13/1954 Just make love to me Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7631 10-in. 4/13/1954 Oh! yeh Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7632 10-in. 4/13/1954 Sloppy drunk Jimmy Roger's Rocking Four instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7657 10-in. 5/25/1954 Baby how long? Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7658 10-in. 5/25/1954 Evil is goin' on Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7687 10-in. 9/1/1954 I'm ready Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7697 10-in. 9/1/1954 I'm ready Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7699 10-in. 9/1/1954 I don't know why Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7722 10-in. 1954 Poison ivy Willie Mabon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7723 10-in. 1954 Say man Willie Mabon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7740 10-in. October, 1954 I'll be around Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7741 10-in. October, 1954 Forty four Howlin' Wolf instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7746 10-in. Oct. - Nov. 1954 I'm a natural born lover Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7747 10-in. Oct.-Nov. 1954 Ooh wee Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U7770 10-in. 1955 This train Robert Ballinger instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7771 10-in. 1955 How I got over Robert Ballinger instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7784 10-in. 2/3/1955 Young fashion ways Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U7785 10-in. 2/3/1955 I want to be loved Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
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  
Chess 8012 10-in. 1956 Forty days & forty nights Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8013 10-in. 1956 All aboard Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8108 10-in. February? 1956 Drifting heart Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8109 10-in. February? 1956 Brown eyed handsome man Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8110 10-in. February? 1956 Roll over Beethoven Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8111 10-in. February? 1956 Too much monkey business Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U8147 10-in. 1956 Just to be with me Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8303 10-in. 1956 Havana moon Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8304 10-in. 10/29/1956 If it ain't me Jimmy Rogers instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8305 10-in. 10/29/1956 Walking by myself Jimmy Rogers instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8378 10-in. December, 1956 Deep feeling Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8379 10-in. December, 1956 School day Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8380 10-in. December, 1956 Lajaunda Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8381 10-in. December, 1956 Blue feeling Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8499 10-in. May, 1957 Rock & roll music Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8500 10-in. May, 1957 Oh baby doll Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8627 10-in. February, 1958 Sweet little sixteen Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8632 10-in. February, 1958 Reelin and rocking Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8633 10-in. February, 1958 Johnny B. Goode Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8732 10-in. 1958 I won't go on Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8733 10-in. 1958 She's got it Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8755 10-in. 3/28/1958 Wake up, baby Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8979 10-in. November?, 1958 She's nineteen years old Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8980 10-in. November? 1958 Close to you Muddy Waters instrumentalist, string bass, composer  
Chess U9070 10-in. 1956 Anthony boy Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 9072 10-in. 12/31/1958 Memphis, Tennessee Chuck Berry instrumentalist, string bass  
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  
Chess 4400 10-in. 7/23/1953 Too late Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter songwriter  
Chess 7599 10-in. Feb., 1954 Darling I know Willie Dixon ; El Rays leader, songwriter  
Chess 7602 10-in. Feb., 1954 Christine Willie Dixon ; El Rays leader, songwriter  
Chess 7604 10-in. 2/24/1954 Rocker Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7608 10-in. 2/24/1954 Oh baby Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U-7661 10-in. 6/10/1954 When the lights go out Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter  
Chess U-7664 10-in. 6/10/1954 Big daddy Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter  
Chess U-7673 10-in. 7/14/1954 You'd better watch yourself Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U-7674 10-in. 7/14/1954 Blue light Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7717 10-in. Oct., 1954 Shoo doo-be doo (my loving baby) Bobby Lester ; The Moonlighters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7719 10-in. Oct., 1954 So all alone Bobby Lester ; The Moonlighters instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7738 10-in. 10/25/1954 It must have been the devil Otis Spann instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7739 10-in. 10/25/1954 Five spot Otis Spann instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7748 10-in. Nov., 1954 Time brings about a change Jimmy Witherspoon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7750 10-in. Nov., 1954 Waiting for your return Jimmy Witherspoon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7765 10-in. 1/13/1955 Do me right Lowell Fulson songwriter  
Chess 7776 10-in. 1/25/1954 Thunder bird Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7777 10-in. 1/25/1955 My babe Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7827 10-in. 4/28/1955 Roller coaster Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7828 10-in. 4/28/1955 I got to go Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7842 10-in. 5/31/1955 If you're mine The Allstars ; Willie Dixon leader, songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7847 10-in. 7/15/1955 It ain't no secret (what my baby can do) Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7848 10-in. 7/15/1955 Why do I love you like I do? Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7873 10-in. 7/31/1955 Walking the blues The Allstars ; Willie Dixon vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7888 10-in. 8/12/1955 I hate to see you go Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7942 10-in. Nov., 1955 Crazy for my baby Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7943 10-in. Nov., 1955 I am the lover man Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7944 10-in. Nov., 1955 The pain in my heart Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7946 10-in. Nov., 1955 Diddy wah diddy Bo Diddley songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7947 10-in. Nov., 1955 I am looking for a woman Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7966 10-in. Dec., 1955 One more chance with you Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7967 10-in. Dec., 1955 Who Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7969 10-in. Dec., 1955 It ain't right Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8019 10-in. 2/9/1956 Tollin' bells Lowell Fulson songwriter  
Chess 8068 10-in. March, 1956 Flying saucer Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8190 10-in. 7/27/1956 29 ways Willie Dixon songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8191 10-in. 7/27/1956 It's too late brother Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U8192 10-in. 7/27/1956 Teenage beat Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8193 10-in. 7/27/1956 Take me back Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8205 10-in. 8/7/1956 Keep it to yourself Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8207 10-in. 8/7/1956 The key (to your door) Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8217 10-in. 8/15/1956 Alarm clock blues Floyd Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8220 10-in. 8/15/1956 I'm ashamed of myself Floyd Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8272 10-in. Oct., 1956 Cops and robbers Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8273 10-in. 1956 Down home special Billy Boy Arnold ; Bo Diddley ; Willie Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8360 10-in. 12/19/1956 Don't touch my head!!! J B. Lenoir instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8362 10-in. 12/19/1956 I've been down so long J B. Lenoir instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8409 10-in. 2/8/1957 Fattening frogs for snakes Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8410 10-in. 2/8/1957 I don't know Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8433 10-in. 3/5/1957 Nobody but you Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8436 10-in. 3/5/1957 Everybody needs somebody Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8441 10-in. March, 1957 Hey! Bo Diddley Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8442 10-in. March, 1957 Mona Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8566 10-in. July, 1957 Say! (boss man) Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8567 10-in. July, 1957 Before you accuse me (take a look at yourself) Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8594 10-in. Sept., 1957 Born blind Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8595 10-in. Sept., 1957 Ninety nine Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8644 10-in. Feb., 1958 The toddle Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8645 10-in. Feb., 1958 Confessin' the blues Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8753 10-in. 3/28/1958 Your funeral & my trial Fred Below ; Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dixon, Willie," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

Dixon, Willie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

"Dixon, Willie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926

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