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 (Results 76-100 of 165 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 76-100 of 165 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dixon, Willie," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

Dixon, Willie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

"Dixon, Willie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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