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 151-165 of 165 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 151-165 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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